Strategic feedback on structure, organization, and argument

Sometimes you don't need sentence-level fixes—you need someone to step back and look at the whole picture. Maybe you're wondering about the order of ideas, the amount of technical detail, or whether your intended message is coming through. Maybe you’re trying to turn feedback into a concrete revision strategy. Or maybe you just know that your work needs something but aren't sure what.

Developmental consultation gives you targeted, high-level feedback on work in progress. It’s not sentence-by-sentence editing but rather an experienced editor’s perspective on what’s working and what needs fixing.

What it includes

We'll start with a conversation about what you're struggling with and what you need from this consultation. I’ll read your document with your specific concerns in mind. This could include areas like:

• Organization within and across sections

• Whether the evidence adequately supports your conclusions

• Gaps in reasoning or areas where ideas feel incomplete

• Whether your work meets expectations for its genre and audience

• How the figures, tables, and other visual elements support (or obscure) your points

• The overall narrative arc—can your reader follow you from beginning to end?

• And anything else your specific project needs.

This is a consulting service, not in-text editing. I'll tell you what needs work and why, but you'll do the actual revising.

Is this the right service for you?

Developmental consultation is a good fit if you are confident in your writing but need strategic direction—or if you want an expert assessment before investing in line-by-line editing.

Need help at the sentence level? Consider Copyediting. Want hands-on help that includes reorganizing and rewriting? That’s Comprehensive Editing.

What you receive

You'll get your manuscript back with marginal comments, a summary report laying out major issues and recommendations, and a list of patterns to watch for as you revise. Think of this as a roadmap for your next draft. After your consultation, I’ll be available to answer questions about my feedback for free—clarifying what I meant, explaining a suggestion, or pointing you to examples.

For more substantive support after your consultation, follow-up services are available at a 25% discount. Want to talk through your feedback? You can add a 30-minute coaching session to discuss my recommendations, work through specific problem areas, or talk about how to prioritize revisions. Want to check in after your next draft? Add on Comprehensive Editing or Copyediting for your revision.

Rates and getting started

My rate for developmental consultation is $50 per 1,000 words. Volume discounts are available for lengthy projects (20,000+ words); contact me to discuss.

Turnaround time varies by project length—typically about a week for manuscripts up to 15,000 words. Need it faster? Contact me to discuss expedited options.

To get started: use the Contact page to book a free consultation, email me, or fill out the contact form. We'll discuss your project and whether developmental consultation is the right fit.