Should I add a developmental edit with annotations?
https://i0.wp.com/www.writerandthewolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Copy-of-Blog-Post-Header-With-Frame-16.png?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024 683 Siobhan O'Brien Holmes Siobhan O'Brien Holmes https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e13fe604611de8ab95f8fa1e5862d0115e805367dd2bb462c28ba4013cebfee7?s=96&d=mm&r=gOne of the most common questions I’m asked by potential clients is ‘what’s the difference between The Monster and a developmental edit? And which should I go for?’
I always give that really unhelpful answer that it’s absolutely up to you which service you’d like to go with, but I realised last week when somebody – let’s call them Squirrel – emailed to say they weren’t clear on the value of the developmental bolt on and who it would be suitable for, that I needed to find a better way of answers this question!
So I came up with this:
The bolt-on annotations in the margin, AKA a developmental edit, is absolutely an optional extra and I wouldn’t say it suits a particular type of book or client more than others, apart from the fact that some authors find it overwhelming and too time consuming to go through so many comments on top of the editorial report, while others find it really helps them to process my feedback and see how it applies to individual instances in the story. Ultimately, The Monster + dev edit bolt-on is the best, most thorough package I offer and I’d say it would be useful and valuable for all authors, but it is of course a much bigger investment cost-wise and not everyone has the budget for it.
The dev edit bolt-on expands on the editorial report, highlighting and discussing specific instances of the issues or suggestions I’ve addressed in my letter, making it easier for you to quickly grasp my point and understand how it applies to particular moments or scenes in your book. It’s your manuscript, annotated. It zooms in on the manuscript and points out specific examples of things I’ve discussed in the editorial letter so that, as you read through the comments, you’ll see where you could apply my suggestions.
Think of it like the difference between reading an interview with a director about their film, discussing the themes and vision and what it was like to make the movie, and then watching the film with the director’s audio commentary where they discuss those things but in real time as the film unfolds, pointing out specific moments and shots and explaining how those things they talked about in the interview actually apply at a micro level. The developmental edit zooms in on the manuscript and points out specific examples of things I’ve discussed in the editorial letter so that, as you read through the comments, you’ll see where you could apply my suggestions.
The right choice absolutely depends on how much feedback you want (or can manage) and whether your budget allows for the added comments. Drop me an email if you’re still not sure what’s best for your manuscript!
Siobhan O’Brien Holmes
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