Developmental editing
Bringing a focus and purpose to your writing
My name is Doug Weaver, and I’ve coached and edited the work of hundreds of writers during my career, including seasoned and prize-winning journalists. In 2015, I helped launch—and today share ownership in—a robust regional book publishing company, Mission Point Press. Through it all, my appreciation of an author’s story has guided what I do.
I can help you tell your story—whether fiction or non-fiction—by coaching and critiquing your work to refine its message and purpose. I feel strongly that good writing must have a message … a reason for readers to connect with the words. Why else would readers bother?
I enjoy collaborating and sharing what I know with authors. But in the end, it’s the author’s voice that matters most. I can help you shape that voice. And prepare it for the next level.
Reaching readers takes work,
but then the magic begins
It’s deeply satisfying when authors see readers absorbing their words—their story. But getting there isn’t always easy. It takes commitment. I can help you reach those who find value in what you’ve written. But the quality of the writing—and the quality of the story—must come first. I’m not a good fit for authors who are looking for shortcuts.
Below, you’ll find the services I offer, along with pricing based on the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) averages. You can verify those rates. Just click here.
If you’ve started a manuscript—or completed one—I generally recommend beginning with an evaluation. It’s the more affordable option, but I promise a thoughtful, honest assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.
My services:
Coaching
I know that many authors approach the enormous task of writing a novel or memoir with a solid idea, but also with uncertainty about the process. Am I really capable? What’s my end goal? Do I want to sell a lot of books—or simply satisfy that internal itch to finally tell my story? Maybe it’s both.
A coach can help you work through these questions, then assist in organizing your manuscript and honing your technique if you decide to move forward. A good coach also promises unrelenting honesty in assessing your progress. I’m a firm believer that authors need to embrace reality. Are your expectations achievable? I’ll give you my honest opinion.
Because coaching is an open-ended process, I charge by the hour. It typically includes a mix of phone or Zoom calls and email exchanges. The beauty of this approach is that you control the budget. If the process isn’t bearing fruit, you can stop at any time.
Rate: $75 per hour. I promise to be very efficient with my (your) time.
Manuscript evaluation
This is a straightforward proposition. I’ll read every word of your manuscript and tell you in general terms what works well, what needs work, and suggest next steps. Depending on the length and complexity of the manuscript, you can expect a written critique of four to seven pages.
This is a good first step for those who have a manuscript draft in hand or are well on the way to completing one. You get a lot of feedback at a reasonable cost.
Rate: $800 for 60k-word manuscript. (Price adjusted down or up to actual word count.)
Line editing
Okay … here’s where the heavy lifting begins. And yes, it can get expensive—because line editing is meticulous, detailed work.
The task is well described by its name. You’ve written a draft. You’ve received feedback and done some self-editing. But in the end, you just don’t feel confident submitting your final draft as the best it can be. That’s where a line editor steps in.
Line editing focuses—objectively—on the flow, style, and readability of your writing at the sentence and paragraph level. Here, I examine sentence structure, word choice, and clarity. The goal is always to retain your voice as a writer, while tightening, clarifying, and, in some cases, animating your prose to ensure it’s both precise and compelling.
I’m no Hemingway. But I was schooled at the same place “Papa” learned the basics—The Kansas City Star. The newspaper produced a style sheet beloved for its core principles:
“Use short sentences.”
“Use short first paragraphs.”
“Use vigorous English.”
“Be positive, not negative.”
“Those were the best rules I ever learned for the business of writing,” Hemingway later said. “I've never forgotten them.”
The style sheet was created to guide newspaper writing, of course—not fiction or even memoir. But its lessons in clarity, economy, and vigor apply across genres. No matter what you’re writing, strong prose begins with strong sentences.
I can help you move closer to that level by showing how to transform your writing. As I’ve often advised other authors, a line edit can be a valuable learning experience—especially if future books are planned. A careful author will absorb the lessons and become a stronger self-editor. That can save you editing expense in the future.
Rate: Five to eight cents per word. Calculate carefully! A 70,000-word manuscript could cost at minimum $3,500.