Looking for a
Developmental Editor or Manuscript Assessment?
Developmental Edit
An in-depth edit of the big picture elements of your story with an extended write up, in-chapter comments, and a one hour in-person call at the end to discuss any questions.
Manuscript Assessment
A written assessment of the big picture elements of your story and a half hour call at the end to discuss any questions.
Who is J.A. Andrews?
I’m Janice, and I’ve published ten books in the past ten years, all of which have been successfully received.
I’ve spent countless hours and countless dollars studying story structure, character motivations, arcs, theme, and anything story related.
I find great joy in assessing books and movies for the strengths and weaknesses they have in all those aspects, and would love to help you look at the same things in your book.
Why developmental editing?
I love helping authors clarify their vision of their books until it becomes the story they want it to be.
If you choose to work with me, you can expect:
- respect for the creative vision you have for your story.
- a considered assessment of your work from an experience author.
- positive feedback about the things that are working.
- constructive feedback about the weak spots with actionable ideas to help you find the solutions that work for you.
Working with me:
You provide:
A complete manuscript.
Not polished, just complete.
I provide:
- a full read of the manuscript, at least one time through, usually with rereads of important sections.
- an editorial letter (see types of edit below for details) offering positive and constructive detailed notes on the big-picture elements of your manuscript, including structure, plot, character arcs and motivations, theme, and world building.
- possible additional in-chapter notes, based on the type of edit (see below).
- a follow-up call to discuss any questions you have.
Genres:
I'm happy to read any subgenre of fantasy, except books where the main plotline is romance. I don't read enough romance to be qualified to offer substantive feedback on a primarily romantic book. If the romance is a subplot, I'm happy to provide feedback on that relationship alongside the other relationships in the book.
Types of Edits
Developmental Edit
Includes:
An Editorial letter (5 to 10 pages, single-spaced) offering positive and constructive detailed notes on the big-picture elements of your manuscript, including notes on structure, plot, character, theme, style, world building, and more.
Detailed in-chapter notes as necessary to ground the feedback to specific locations in your manuscript.
One hour video call or phone call to discuss any questions you have at the end of the process.
Manuscript Assessment
Includes:
An Assessment letter (2 to 3 pages, single-spaced) offering positive and constructive detailed notes on the big-picture elements of your manuscript, including notes on structure, plot, character, theme, style, world building, and more.
Half hour video call or phone call to discuss any questions you have at the end of the process.
Testimonials
Free Sample Edit
Before we begin, I offer a free edit of the first 5000 words of your book so that you can determine if my feedback will be helpful, and I can make sure the manuscript is ready for a developmental edit.
To discuss scheduling and request a sample edit, please contact me.
Prices and Schedule
Developmental Edits
A Developmental Edit will require 2 weeks for every 50,000 words in the book.
•••
I have limited spots with introductory pricing of $0.01/word.
For example, 50,000 words would be $500.00.
These spots are during September and October 2026
•••
Once those spots are filled, Developmental Edits will be $0.015/word.
For example, 50,000 words would be $750.00.
Manuscript Assessment
A Manuscript Assessement will require 1 week for every 50,000 words in the book.
•••
I have limited spots with introductory pricing of $0.0025/word.
For example, 50,000 words would be $125.00.
These spots are during September and October 2026
•••
Once those spots are filled, Manuscript Assessments will be $0.005/word.
For example, 50,000 words would be $250.00.
Payments
For all edits, half is due at the beginning of the edit, and the other half due when I return the edit to you.
The follow-up call can be scheduled any time after final payment is made.
FAQ
Which do I need? A Developmental Edit or a Manuscript Assessment?
This question depends on what you want out of the experience. A Developmental Edit is much more involved and rooted in the sections of your book. A Manuscript Assessment is a cohesive overview of the big picture essence of your story.
If you can't decide which would serve you best, I'm happy to talk about the options with you.
Will you try to change my style?
No. I believe that an author's style is what makes their books truely unique. My goal is to assess the plot, characters, and structure of the book in a way that helps it to become the book you want it to be.
How long does an edit take?
Developmental Edits require 2 weeks for every 50,000 words in the book.
Manuscript Assessments require 1 week for every 50,000 words in the book.
What genres to you accept?
My knowledge and experience is in fantasy novels, and I accept most subgenres of fantasy, including YA.
I don't read many books with the primary plotline as romance and am unqualified to give good feedback on a romance-focused story. If romance is a subplot, I'm happy to look at the romantic relationship the same way I will assess all the other character relationships.
Are there books you won't edit?
If you have a book with excessive gruesome violence or sexual assault, please bring this up in the intial discussions of the book.
How do I know we'll be a good fit?
I think chosing an editor is a highly personal choice, and both parties should be comfortable working together. I offer a free sample of the first 5000 words of your book so that you can sample my edits and I can make sure the book is ready for a developmental edit.
Is my book ready for a developmental edit or manuscript assessment?
Your book is ready if it is complete, with no missing scenes and no sections you know need extensive revisions.
It does not have to be polished or line edited, nor should it be. I'm happy to overlook typos. What I need to see is the bones of the story, the character development and interactions, and the pacing of the plot.
Do you use AI?
I do not use AI in any aspect of my writing or editing. Anyone using my services can be sure that I will be reading the book completely on my own, writing the assessment on my own, and would never feed their work into any generative AI system.
I'm also not interested in editing any books that have been written with generative AI.
I believe stories are rooted deeply in what makes us human, and I support human authors, human editors, and human artists.
How soon can you do the edit?
My schedule is constantly being updated. Please contact me with the information about your book, and we can see what timeframe will work.