Previous Finalists

Developmental Edit / Beta Reading

The Wishing Shelf Book Award also offers an EDITING SERVICE!

Developmental Editing

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

A developmental edit is the assessment of a manuscript focusing on the bigger picture of a story rather than the finer details of grammar, punctuation and individual words. Think MACRO, not MICRO. It looks at elements such as plot, structure, pacing, character development, narrative voice, themes and overall flow, identifying areas that could be strengthened or expanded. The aim is to help the author develop their manuscript into the strongest possible version while preserving their unique voice and creative vision.

LINE EDITING

Line editing is a detailed review of a manuscript that focuses on improving the clarity, flow and quality of the writing itself. It looks at sentence structure, word choice, tone, rhythm, readability and consistency, refining the language to make it more engaging and effective. A line editor works to strengthen the author's writing, eliminate awkward phrasing and improve the overall reading experience while preserving their individual voice and style.

BETA READING

Beta reading is the process of having a manuscript read by someone who represents its intended audience, providing feedback on their overall reading experience. A beta reader looks at how engaging and enjoyable the story is, considering elements such as plot, characters, pacing, dialogue and emotional impact. They highlight what works well, identify areas that may be confusing or less effective, and share their honest impressions of the manuscript. The aim is to help the author understand how readers might respond to their work and identify any final improvements before publication.

Interested? Contact us at thewishingshelfawards@gmail.com