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I will be your developmental editor for your book or draft
Gig Summary
Author, Ghostwriter, Editor, Book Coach, and Founder of Beyond Writing
I am Michael Jaymes, author, ghostwriter, editor, coach, and the founder of Beyond Writing, a team of writers and editors specializing in fiction and life stories. We help writers go from idea→draft→b...
Vetted by Fiverr Pro
Michael Jaymes was selected by the Fiverr Pro team for their expertise.
Vetted for
Book Editing
About this Gig
Vetted Pro
Professional Developmental Editing (100% human work, no AI, the quality publishers are looking for and your readers deserve) - $50 per 1,000 words
Message me for a custom quote.
Every order over $1,000 receives a free consultation call!
What is Developmental Editing?
You've finished your draft. Congrats! Now it's time to make sure your story works. :)
Developmental Editing is a structural edit, reviewed through my three Cs: character, conflict, and context. I evaluate whether your characters are strong and believable, whether the plot keeps readers turning pages, and whether the setting and background details support the story instead of causing it to sag.
Unlike my early draft feedback service, developmental editing zooms out and looks at the "big picture," the story as a whole, not just individual chapters. It is a complete analysis of what makes your book work and what to fix.
Fiction, Memoir, and NonFiction are all welcome! (Please reach out if your book includes NSFW.)
NOTE: Developmental Editing is about the big picture. It does not include sentence-level polishing. Once your story is strong, line editing comes next. Reach out for any editorial assistance! :)
Delivery style preference
Please inform the freelancer of any preferences or concerns regarding the use of AI tools in the completion and/or delivery of your order.
Clients I’ve worked with
Twisted Key Publishing
Books Publishing
Twisted Key Publishing offered me the opportunity to write for them in the fall of 2020. About six months later, I had my debut book The Secret Fountain published with them.
Sep 2020-Feb 2021
My Portfolio
Other Book Editing Services I Offer
FAQ
What exactly do I receive?
A complete written analysis of your manuscript as a whole: what is working, what is not, and how to fix it, focused on my three Cs (character, conflict, and context). Sample tiers receive the same big-picture analysis for the pages in the package.
How much to dev edit my whole book?
$0.05/word, $50 per 1,000 words. 60,000 words is $3,000, 80,000 is $4,000. Message me for a custom offer.
Is grammar included?
No, grammar and punctuation are not included, as the focus of developmental editing is on the story not the writing (though you will receive some feedback and corrections along the way). For grammar and punctuation editing, consider my copyediting services.
Are you a published author?
Yes, there are four titles you can find on Amazon with my name on them. I've also ghostwritten dozens of books and have offered outlining, editing, and coaching services to hundreds of authors.
How do I know I can trust your editing?
Feel free to reach out for a chat, or place an order for just the first chapter to get a sample.
Why Should I Consider Receiving A Developmental Edit?
Developmental editing reveals structural flaws and strengthens your story's foundation. It can lead to uncovering plot holes, boosting reader engagement, and even polishing prose before publishing.
What genres do you offer Developmental Editing for?
I specialize in fiction and life stories, but I have edited many books in nonfiction categories such as business, motivation, and self help as well.
Should I Have A Finished Manuscript Before Getting Developmental Editing?
If you're still working on a first draft and have not completed your book, you are still welcome to reach out! I'd be happy to provide advice and feedback on what you have, or even providing suggestions on what you can implement. :)
Reviews
15 reviews for this Gig
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| (1) | ||
| (0) | ||
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Rating Breakdown
- Seller communication level
- Quality of delivery
- Value of delivery
Sort By
Most relevant
K katiebarlow12
United States
Ongoing collaborationWow! Michael & team did an amazing job providing feedback on my story. There was great detail and clear thoughtfulness behind the work. Many thanks!
$50-$100
Price
5 days
Duration
Helpful?V 
vern2026
Germany
Thanks for great insights
$100-$200
Price
9 days
Duration
Helpful?A anna_perepel
United States
Lots of valuable feedback! Got me thinking and pushed me in the right direction.
$200-$400
Price
13 days
Duration
Helpful?A aknewyork
United States
Very detail oriented. Incredible value!
$50-$100
Price
8 days
Duration
Helpful?O onenessld
United States
Ongoing collaborationI like to work with Michael, he tried to understand you before the work, and the work he delivered was detailed, and professional, look forward to working with him again.
$600-$800
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?
Reviews
15 reviews for this Gig
| (14) | ||
| (1) | ||
| (0) | ||
| (0) | ||
| (0) |
Rating Breakdown
- Seller communication level
- Quality of delivery
- Value of delivery
Sort By
Most relevant
K katiebarlow12
United States
Ongoing collaborationWow! Michael & team did an amazing job providing feedback on my story. There was great detail and clear thoughtfulness behind the work. Many thanks!
$50-$100
Price
5 days
Duration
Helpful?V vern2026
Germany
Thanks for great insights
$100-$200
Price
9 days
Duration
Helpful?A anna_perepel
United States
Lots of valuable feedback! Got me thinking and pushed me in the right direction.
$200-$400
Price
13 days
Duration
Helpful?A aknewyork
United States
Very detail oriented. Incredible value!
$50-$100
Price
8 days
Duration
Helpful?O onenessld
United States
Ongoing collaborationI like to work with Michael, he tried to understand you before the work, and the work he delivered was detailed, and professional, look forward to working with him again.
$600-$800
Price
3 weeks
Duration
Helpful?
