Structural Editing

A structural edit, also referred to as a developmental edit, provides an in-depth report on the health of your manuscript, including a detailed analysis of its strengths and weaknesses and clear, actionable steps you can take to improve it today. Not sure if this service is right for you? Book a no-obligation discovery call to discuss your options.

What to expect.

The Report

Your structural edit is a far more detailed kind of manuscript assessment. It will be presented in the form of an in-depth report that breaks down every element of your storytelling and provides you with a clear view of what works, what doesn’t, and what you can do to improve your work.

Your structural edit includes:

  • A minimum 20 pages of in-depth analysis, including examples from the text

  • A fully marked-up copy of your manuscript, with editorial queries, comments and guidance to illustrate the advice laid out in your report

  • An analysis of your plot, sub-plots, story structure, characters, voice, style, pacing, dialogue, genre conventions, tropes, and world-building

  • An outline of your manuscript’s strengths

  • A report on your manuscript’s weaknesses, with concrete examples for how to address them

  • An overview of any writing quirks or habits you may want to be aware of, including overused words or phrases, switching tenses or perspective shifts

  • A review of your manuscript’s marketability and genre positioning, with 5 actionable steps you can take to improve its chances in the market

Scope

Your final quote includes one structural edit on your full manuscript, sent as a PDF. This includes one editorial report and one round of mark-ups on your manuscript. You will be entitled to one complementary consultation via Google Meet to discuss the contents of your report and to ask any clarifying questions you may have.

If you would like to request an additional edit or consultation on subsequent drafts of your manuscript, we offer a 10% discount on quotes for repeat clients.

Timeline

Structural edits are delivered between 6-8 weeks from the starting date outlined in your project agreement. If you require a faster turnaround, this may be possible for an additional fee.

Investment

Structural edits are charged at a rate of 4 cents per word and can only be conducted on the submission of a full manuscript. Quotes are subject to GST for Australian clients.

Clients who wish to proceed with a second structural edit after redrafting their manuscript will receive a 15% discount on that service for the same manuscript.