Good thing we don’t write for the money, or we’d be better off becoming Uber drivers instead. The average ride-share driver makes a lot more dough than the average indie author. Picture it: someone’s side hustle rakes in heaps over my chosen career, and yet — -somehow *pauses to chuckle indignantly* — — somehow I’d better have thousands of effing dollars hidden away somewhere in my solid gold vault to hire a professional editor each time I write a book.

The cost of developmental editing can vary widely depending on the factors mentioned earlier. However, as a rough guideline, rates for developmental editing can range from $50 to $150 per hour, $5 to $10 per page, or $1,500 to $5,000 per project, depending on the scope and complexity of the work.

Why does the publishing industry have to contradict itself right where it really hurts? If first-time indie authors hardly profit enough to break even on the cost of book production and promotion, then pray tell, where do they get the money to invest in their next installment? They have to be getting it somewhere or those of us who aren’t independently wealthy are screwed. Because let’s be honest, there are a lot of myths haunting the indie world but ‘get that book edited or else’ isn’t one of them!

So what do we do?

Don’t worry. Sometimes the answer is so simple, it’s damn near invisible. Luckily, some of us are just stubborn and controlling enough to find it.

How to Perform a Professional Structural Edit on Your Book and Keep That 5,000 dollar Stack in your Vault!

Step One: What Does a Structural Edit… Edit?

A structural edit is the type of edit you get when you assess you’re manuscript as a whole. It’s like the developmental edit where you read the story from top to book, making note of the strengths and weaknesses. We are looking at major elements when we developmentally edit; the narrative arc, character development, pacing, and story structure. Some like to clump developmental and structural editing into one great Cronenberg. On the other hand, I think structural editing differs in some important ways

• Structural edits are concerned with the overall structure, cohesion, and organization of your narrative elements.
• Developmental edits are more concerned with improving or developing those elements.
• See, it’s in the name!

Step two: The Objective Read Through

You know the deal, you finish your draft, and you what? Set it aside! Leave it alone for a while, pick up a book, and do some reading — in or out of your genre — to inspire and enrich your narrative instinct. Also, this will help remind you what it’s like to be a reader — — just a reader. You’re going to need that soon! After you’ve created some distance, pick up your pen and notebook and dive back into the manuscript.

Tip: Do your absolute best to kill the protective artist inside. For best results, you are to review this manuscript through the eyes of your reader.

You need a structural edit if you encounter any of the following during your initial read-through:

1. Weak Story Structure: If your narrative lacks a clear beginning, middle, and end, or if the plot progression feels disjointed or confusing, a structural edit can help strengthen the overall story structure.
2. Plot Holes and Inconsistencies: Structural editing can identify and address any inconsistencies, unresolved story threads, or plot holes that may detract from the coherence and believability of your story.
3. Pacing Problems: If certain sections of your manuscript feel too slow-paced or rushed, a structural edit can help adjust the pacing to maintain reader engagement and build tension effectively throughout the narrative.
4. Character Development Issues: Structural editing can identify flat or underdeveloped characters, inconsistencies in characterization, or lack of character growth arcs, and suggest ways to deepen and enrich their portrayal.
5. Weak Conflict and Stakes: If the central conflict of your story lacks sufficient depth or emotional resonance, or if the stakes are not compelling enough to keep readers invested, a structural edit can help heighten the tension and raise the stakes.
6. Excessive or Irrelevant Subplots: Structural editing can identify subplots (political intrigue, romantic affairs, etc.) that detract from the main storyline or fail to contribute meaningfully to the narrative, and help streamline the plot by eliminating unnecessary subplots or integrating them more effectively into the main story arc.
7. Unbalanced Scene Structure: If individual scenes lack purpose or fail to advance the plot, develop characters, or build atmosphere effectively, you might want a structural edit. All scenes should have exposition, dialogue, action, and description within them for optimal impact.
8. Lack of Theme Integration: Structural editing can assess the effectiveness of your thematic elements throughout the narrative and ensure that they resonate with the story’s events and characters. Well-integrated themes enhance the coherence and depth of your story.
9. Issues with Point of View and Narrative Voice: If your manuscript suffers from problems with point-of-view consistency, narrative voice, or perspective shifts that may confuse readers or disrupt immersion, a structural edit can help establish a clear and consistent narrative voice.
10. Unsatisfying Resolution: Finally, if the resolution of your story fails to provide closure to major plot threads or satisfy reader expectations, a structural edit can help refine the ending to leave a lasting impression and tie up loose ends effectively.

Step three or (2.5): The Manuscript Assessment

Copy this Professional Structural Editing Checklist OR (Manuscript assessment) to use as you walk through your manuscript as a reader and not an author. Use this to jot down your genuine first impressions of each element listed in the checklist:

1. Overall Structure:

• Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end?
• Does the narrative flow logically and coherently?
• Are the plot points well-paced throughout the story?
• Does the story have a strong opening hook to grab the reader’s attention?
• Is the ending satisfying and does it resolve major plot threads?

2. Plot Development:

• Are there any plot holes or inconsistencies in the storyline?
• Do the plot twists feel organic and well-integrated into the narrative?
• Are there any unnecessary or tangential subplots that could be removed or consolidated?

3. Characterization:

• Are the characters well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations?
• Do the characters undergo meaningful growth or change throughout the story?
• Are there any inconsistencies in character behavior or development?

4. Theme and Motifs:

• Are the central themes of the story effectively woven into the narrative?
• Are there recurring motifs or symbols that reinforce the story’s themes?
• Do the thematic elements resonate with the characters and plot?

5. Point of View and Voice:

• Is the narrative voice consistent throughout the story?
• Does the point of view align with the story’s tone and themes?
• Are there any perspective shifts that disrupt immersion or confuse the reader?

6. Scene Structure:

• Do individual scenes serve a clear purpose in advancing the plot or developing characters?
• Is there a good balance of exposition, dialogue, action, and description within scenes?
• Are there any scenes that could be condensed, expanded, or restructured for better pacing?

7. Conflict and Stakes:

• Is the central conflict of the story compelling and well-defined?
• Do the stakes feel sufficiently high to keep the reader invested in the outcome?
• Are there any missed opportunities to heighten tension or raise the stakes?

8. Dialogue:

• Does the dialogue sound natural and authentic to each characters’ voice?
• Does the dialogue effectively reveal character personality, advance the plot, or provide necessary exposition?
• Are there any instances of excessive or unnecessary dialogue that could be trimmed?

9. Pacing and Tension:

• Does the story maintain a consistent pace that keeps the reader engaged?
• Are there any sections of the story that feel slow-paced or rushed?
• Are tension and suspense effectively built and maintained throughout the narrative?

10. Reader Engagement:

• Does the story hook the reader from the beginning and hold their attention until the end?
• Are there any areas where the reader’s attention might wane, and if so, how can they be improved?
• Does the story deliver on its promises to the reader, whether it be emotional, thematic, or narrative?

Post-Readthrough Questions

Once you’ve worked your way through that initial read-through try approaching the following questions:

• Based on the assessment, what are the main strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript?
• What specific revisions or improvements would you prioritize to address any identified issues?
• How can you further develop the story’s strengths and address its weaknesses in subsequent drafts?
• Overall, is the manuscript ready for further editing, or does it require additional revisions before moving to the next stage?
• What are the key takeaways and lessons learned from the structural edit, both for the author and for future writing projects?

By following this checklist, you can conduct a thorough and professional structural edit to help improve the overall quality and effectiveness of your manuscript.

Step four: The Revision Plan

Once you’ve checked off your list, it’s time to reflect and revise. Ask yourself: What are your manuscript’s shining moments and where does it stumble? How can you elevate its strengths and shore up its weaknesses?

Now, what’s next after all these assessment questions have been answered?

Creating a revision plan after your manuscript structural assessment involves several key steps, if you’ve been astute and objective enough this step should go relatively smoothly but perhaps still rather slowly:

1. Review the Assessment Findings: What you learned through your thorough assessment of your manuscript should inform where you need to point your focus. Begin by thoroughly reviewing the findings from the structural assessment. This includes identifying:

• strengths and weaknesses in the manuscript’s structure,
• pacing
• character development
• plot coherence
• thematic integration
• any other aspect you found relevant

1. Prioritize Revisions: Some tasks will be bigger than others in terms of importance, scope, and difficulty. Based on the assessment findings, prioritize the revisions that need to be made first and foremost. You might decide this based on your experience, time you’ve allotted for revision, and many other factors. Focus on addressing major structural issues first before moving on to smaller details.
2. Set Clear Goals: Define clear goals for the revision process. Determine what specific improvements you aim to achieve in terms of plot clarity, character depth, pacing, thematic coherence, and overall narrative effectiveness.
3. Break Down Revisions: Break down the revisions into manageable tasks or chapters. Create a list of specific changes that need to be made for each aspect of the manuscript, such as restructuring scenes, developing characters, resolving plot holes, or enhancing thematic elements.
4. Develop a Timeline: Establish a realistic timeline for completing the revisions. Consider factors such as the extent of revisions needed, your availability for writing, and any deadlines you need to meet.
5. Allocate Resources: Determine what resources you need to support the revision process. This may include reference materials, feedback from beta readers or critique partners, writing software, or professional editorial assistance.
6. Implement Changes: Begin making revisions according to the plan you’ve outlined. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, especially when making those first couple of changes. Work through each task systematically, and brutally. Focusing on one aspect of the manuscript at a time to ensure thoroughness and consistency.
7. Seek Feedback: As you revise, periodically seek feedback from trusted sources:

• beta readers
• writing groups
• or professional editors
• Any of these folks can help you identify blind spots and areas for further improvement.

8. Review and Revise Again: After completing the initial round of revisions, review the manuscript again with fresh eyes. This is where we gain a whole new measurement of objectivity. Starting all over again with setting our story aside and forgetting it exists. After a while, check on how your edits have further seasoned the story while looking again for any remaining issues or areas that require further refinement. Revise as needed to polish the manuscript to a high standard.

9. Finalize the Manuscript: Once you’re satisfied with your revisions, finalize the manuscript for submission or publication. Proofread carefully (I like to employ the help of tools like Grammarly during this phase) to catch any remaining errors or typos, and ensure that the formatting is consistent and professional.

This is a sample revision plan created by me. This plan guides you through the process of refining your manuscript as deeply and thoroughly as any professional editor would without paying professional editor prices.

It’s just my opinion that your authorial dreams should never lay in anyone else’s hands or pockets. The DIY Professional Structural Edit offers a viable solution for authors seeking to refine their manuscripts without breaking the bank. By empowering writers to take control of their editing process and approach it with a structured methodology, this approach democratizes the editing experience and eliminates the need for costly professional services. Every book deserves a chance and now 5,000 dollars is not a good enough reason to keep your book down! Get after it!

Sources:

1. BubbleCow. “Developmental Editing Cost.” BubbleCow, www.bubblecow.com/blog/developmental-editing-cost.

2. “The Cost of Hiring a Developmental Editor” by The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA). Website: www.the-efa.org/rates.

3. “The True Cost of Self-Publishing a Book” by BookBaby. Website: blog.bookbaby.com/2019/02/true-cost-of-self-publishing-a-book.