ScrivSPA offers two-tier editing to ensure your book is as professional as possible.

A developmental edit is the first and most in-depth stage of the editing process for a fiction manuscript. It focuses on the big picture elements of your story, helping you shape your novel into its strongest possible version before moving on to copyediting or proofreading.

What’s Included in a Developmental Edit?

1. Plot and Structure:
We evaluate the overall arc of your story—does it have a compelling beginning, middle, and end? Are the stakes clear? Is the pacing effective? We’ll identify plot holes, inconsistencies, or areas that need tightening or expansion.

2. Character Development:
Are your characters believable, distinct, and emotionally engaging? A developmental edit examines character motivations, arcs, relationships, and dialogue to ensure each character serves the story and resonates with readers.

3. World-Building:
Whether your story is set in a fantastical realm or a real-world location, we assess the clarity, consistency, and richness of your setting. Does the world feel immersive and grounded in its own logic?

4. Theme and Voice:
We help you clarify your novel’s underlying themes and ensure the tone and voice are consistent and appropriate for your genre and audience.

5. Scene and Chapter Flow:
Each scene and chapter should serve a purpose and build momentum. We’ll review transitions, tension, and scene goals to keep readers engaged from start to finish.

What You’ll Receive:

• An editorial letter outlining big-picture feedback, strengths, and detailed suggestions for revision.

• In-manuscript comments to highlight specific examples, ask questions, and suggest changes.

• Optional follow-up consultation to discuss edits and next steps.

A developmental edit is ideal for authors who have completed a draft and want expert guidance on how to elevate their story before refining the language.

A line edit focuses on the craft of your writing—refining your prose line by line to ensure it’s clear, compelling, and true to your voice. Unlike developmental editing, which looks at the big picture, a line edit hones in on how your story is told rather than what happens in it.

What’s Included in a Line Edit?

1. Sentence Structure and Flow:
We revise awkward phrasing, repetitive sentence patterns, and unclear constructions to improve rhythm, pacing, and readability.

2. Word Choice and Clarity:
Every word counts. We help you find stronger, more precise language and eliminate filler, redundancy, or vague expressions.

3. Voice and Tone:
Your unique voice matters. A line edit enhances your style while ensuring consistency in tone and language throughout the manuscript.

4. Dialogue Polish:
We refine character dialogue to ensure it sounds natural, serves a purpose, and fits each character’s voice.

5. Transitions and Paragraph Flow:
We ensure smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs, helping each section lead naturally into the next.

What You’ll Receive:

• A fully marked-up manuscript with in-line edits and comments using Track Changes.

• Suggestions for improving style, clarity, and flow.

• A focus on maintaining your authorial voice while strengthening the reader’s experience.

A line edit is perfect for authors who are happy with the structure of their manuscript but want to elevate the writing itself before moving on to proofreading or publication.

Editorial services are included in several of our packages, but if you wish to purchase this service separately, please submit the form on the A La Carte services page.