Editing
Developmental Editing
The edit that fixes what proofreading cannot: structure, pacing, character, argument and flow. Delivered as an editorial letter plus in-manuscript notes.
- Starting price
- $350
- Delivery
- From 14 days
- Revisions
- 1+ included
Marlowe will assign the right specialist
You don't search or compare freelancers. After payment, our team matches your book with a vetted specialist by genre, availability and track record — and stays responsible for the result.
About this service
Developmental editing looks at the book as a whole. Does the structure hold? Does the argument build? Do the characters change for reasons the reader believes?
You receive a detailed editorial letter and margin comments explaining what to change and why — the plan for your next draft.
Right for you if…
- Complete drafts that need more than polish
- Non-fiction whose argument is not landing
- Fiction with pacing or character problems
What's included
- Full manuscript assessment
- Editorial letter (typically 8–15 pages)
- Margin comments throughout
- Structural and chapter-order recommendations
- Follow-up questions answered
Typical delivery: 14–30 days
Packages
Choose your package
Prices include the words shown; longer manuscripts are priced per additional 1,000 words and calculated for you on the order form.
Manuscript Assessment
Editorial letter only
$350
Includes 50,000 words, then $6 per 1,000
14 days 1 revision- Editorial letter
- Structural recommendations
- 1 follow-up round
- Most popular
Full Developmental Edit
Letter plus margin comments
$600
Includes 20,000 words, then $25 per 1,000
21 days 1 revision- Editorial letter
- Margin comments throughout
- Chapter-level notes
- 1 follow-up round
The process
How your order runs
- 1
Place your order
Upload your manuscript and tell us your goals and concerns.
- 2
We assign your specialist
Marlowe matches your book to a vetted specialist who works in your genre. You never have to search or compare freelancers.
- 3
The edit
Your editor reads twice: once as a reader, once as an editor.
- 4
Letter and review
Receive the letter and notes, ask questions, then approve.
Specialists
Some of the specialists who deliver Developmental Editing
You don't need to pick one. Marlowe assigns the specialist best suited to your book — these are examples of the people in our network.
- FS
Professional Book Formatter specializing in Kindle and Paperback formatting
2 Marlowe projects completed
Reviews
What authors say about Developmental Editing
“She did a nice job formatting my books”
Buildlogic S.
How Osomaalo Traders Built a People TRACK CHANGES · 1 Oct 2026
FAQ
Questions about this service
Will the editor rewrite my book?
No. Developmental editing tells you what to change and why. The rewriting stays yours, so the book stays yours.
Ready to Turn Your Manuscript Into a Professional Book?
Tell us what you need. We'll match your project with the right specialist and manage the process from order to delivery.