How to Find and Hire a Developmental Editor for Your Novel

10 snips

Aug 19, 2025

The podcast dives into the intricate world of developmental editing, highlighting Nathan's journey with seasoned editor Michael Braff. They discuss the substantial investment required for quality editing and share valuable feedback on enhancing manuscripts. Listeners learn about the importance of precise word choice, detailed scene setting, and techniques for improving pacing and character depth. The conversation also touches on the subsequent steps in publishing, from copy editing to design decisions, while Nathan shares exciting news about positive reviews for his book.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Invest In A Developmental Editor

Use developmental editing to take a manuscript from good to great when you're committed to the project long-term.
Treat hiring an editor like hiring an employee and invest time to find the right fit.

ADVICE

Combine Marketplaces With Manual Vetting

Start searches on marketplaces like Reedsy but verify credentials by checking actual books they've worked on.
Use AI to compile candidates, then vet and contact a shortlist directly.

ANECDOTE

Why He Hired Michael Braff

Nathan contacted several top editors and chose Michael Braff because of his work on Red Rising and publishing track record.
Braff provided both a long critique letter and inline edits across the full manuscript.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Grab a copy of Husk

Join Nathan's author newsletter

Join Nat's author newsletter

Nathan shares his experience working with Michael Braff, a seasoned editor known for his work on the Red Rising series. He walks through his methodical approach to finding the right editor, what the actual editing process entails, and the substantial investment of both time and money ($7,000) required for high-quality developmental editing.

The conversation dives deep into the specific feedback received, from enhancing world-building through precise word choice to the importance of "setting the stage" in each scene using dimension, direction, duration, and detail. Nathan and Nat discuss how this professional feedback not only improves the current manuscript but provides valuable insights for future writing projects. The episode also touches on the subsequent steps in the publishing process, including copy editing, proofreading, and interior book design.

Between writing updates, Nat shares some exciting news about recent positive reviews for his book Husk from both BookLife (Publishers Weekly) and Kirkus Reviews, offering a glimpse into the parallel journeys of two writers at different stages of their publishing careers.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:04] Nat announces having a new baby during podcast break
[02:19] Discussion begins about developmental editing process
[03:31] Introduction of editor Michael Braff and Red Rising series
[05:10] Decision process for investing in developmental editing
[07:13] Finding and selecting the right developmental editor
[10:15] Breakdown of developmental editing deliverables and pricing
[13:12] Editor's assessment of story structure and strengths
[16:05] Detailed feedback on word choice and descriptions
[18:35] The four D's of scene setting: dimension, direction, duration, detail
[22:39] Prioritizing editing work and revision strategy
[27:55] Discussion of copy editing and proofreading importance
[30:23] Decision on additional beta readers
[33:28] Book sales updates and marketing discussion
[34:57] Review feedback from BookLife and Publishers Weekly
[37:14] Timeline update for upcoming book releases