We can’t wait to join you on your publishing journey. Browse your options below or get in touch if you’re unsure.
These services are NOT intended for first drafts. We encourage all writers accessing our editing services to have been through several drafts and revisions before using them.
Manuscript Development Services
To get the most out of our editorial services, we have created 2 dining experiences for our hungry writers that are starving to get published on their own terms.
Option 1: Takeaway
- Select from Developmental Edit LITE or Editorial Assessment
- Complete the form + upload your writing
- Make payment
- Your manuscript is processed
- Receive your editorial summary in 6 weeks or less
Option 2: Dining-In
- Complete form + upload your writing for review
- Editors review & send your personal recommendation (in as little as 7 days or less)
- Choose your service and make payment
- Your manuscript is processed
- Receive your editorial summary in 6 weeks or less
What these services ARE:
A critical assessment (summary report) of the issues, inconsistencies and improvements needed for your manuscript to reach a publishable standard. All developmental reviews also include document mark-ups to help you identify how to develop your writing.
For writers starving to get published, hungry for real human feedback, and ready for flavourful critique that will take their manuscript to the next level!
What these services ARE NOT:
Copy-editing, proofreading, typesetting, tense, or style guide corrections.
It is NEVER cost-effective for writers to pay for these types of editing services prior to or alongside an editorial/developmental review. This is because you will go on to make substantial revisions to your manuscript following feedback.
Not for writers who have first and early drafts without several revisions.
The Editorial Menu
Main Menu
Developmental Edit
Big-picture feedback on structure, character, pacing, and plot (for fiction) OR structure, argument, tone, and accessibility (for non-fiction). You will also receive feedback on sentence-level clarity, rhythm, voice, and style.
Our recommendation: For finished manuscripts that are drenched in blood, sweat, and tears and writers who require concise, focused mark-ups. Unsuitable for incomplete manuscripts.
Ingredients
Full manuscript read-through
Voice consistency review
Structural recommendations
Clarity recommendations
Editorial summary report
Sides
Post-feedback application
Follow-up meeting/call
Revision mentorship
Developmental Edit PLUS
Big-picture feedback on structure, character, pacing, and plot (for fiction) OR structure, argument, tone, and accessibility (for non-fiction). You will also receive feedback on sentence-level clarity, rhythm, voice, and style. PLUS scene-by-scene notes, dialogue notes, pacing notes, and a more detailed summary report.
Our recommendation: For finished manuscripts that are drenched in blood, sweat, and tears and writers who require heavily detailed mark-ups and notes. Unsuitable for incomplete manuscripts.
Ingredients
Full manuscript read-through
Voice consistency review
Structural recommendations
Clarity recommendations
Detailed editorial summary report
Chapter-by-chapter notes
Dialogue notes
Pacing notes
Sides
Post-feedback application
Follow-up meeting/call
Revision mentorship
Developmental Edit LITE
Feedback for partial manuscript on structure, character, and pacing (for fiction) OR structure, tone, and accessibility (for non-fiction). You will also receive feedback on sentence-level clarity and voice.
Our recommendation: For incomplete manuscripts and writers that have hit a brick wall. Unsuitable for first or early drafts.
Ingredients
Up to 30,000 words read-through
Voice consistency review
Clarity recommendations
Editorial summary report
Sides
Post-feedback application
Follow-up meeting
Revision mentorship
Editorial Assessment
Feedback for a completed manuscript on the overall quality impact, and readability. You will receive a summary report without any document mark-ups.
Our recommendation: For writers looking for a critical assessment and do not require more than the basic feedback to make edits to their manuscript.
Ingredients
Full manuscript read through
Editorial summary report
Sides
Follow-up meeting/call
Sides
Feedback Roadmap
A practical strategy
Perfect so you don’t lose momentum
SAVE 15% when you bundle
Follow-Up Meeting
Gain more insight or ask questions
SAVE 10% when you bundle
30 minutes or 1 hour available
Revision Mentorship
Ongoing support from your editor.
Great for the nitty gritty
SAVE over 15%
3 & 6 month
Alongside your editorial summary report and any mark-ups or notes, you can request an action plan to put the edits in motion.
A practical strategy offering realistic targets & goals.
Perfect so you don’t lose momentum or get lost taking your next steps
SAVE 15% when you bundle
An opportunity to discuss the feedback you have received to gain more insight or ask questions.
You may also decide to use the time to discuss how you put the editorial summary report into actionable steps to polish your manuscript
SAVE 10% when you bundle
30 minutes or 1 hour available
Ongoing support from your editor.
It includes their email contact, a further review on up to 30,0000 words as you revise your manuscript or you can trade it in for monthly meetings.
Great for getting into the nitty gritty or to keep you accountable and on track.
SAVE more than 15% when you bundle
Editorial FAQs
What is a developmental edit?
A developmental edit gives you feedback on the quality of your whole manuscript. It details what’s working, what isn’t, and how to improve.
Writers use developmental edits and editorial assessments to review the publishable quality of their manuscript. They then use the feedback to revise and polish their manuscripts.
Why should I choose a Hack developmental editing service?
We are the most flexible and affordable service available. Rather than assuming what you need, our writers can pick and choose by building the package that’s right for them, their manuscript, and their budget.
Moreover, we do not accept manuscripts that are not ready for editorial review. This protects early-stage writers, their manuscripts, and the quality of our editorial services.
Why do I have to submit a review request?
For an Editorial Assessment or Developmental Edit LITE you can go right ahead without a review. Fill out the form and make payment. This is known as our TAKEAWAY service.
For our Developmental Edit and Developmental Edit PLUS services, you are opting for a DINING-IN service. Our editors need to review your manuscript to ensure that it is ready. In some cases, our editors may recommend that you continue revising your manuscript before seeking out any editorial services. This is to save you money and ensure the quality of our services.
Our core purpose is to create great books & champion the creation of great books. To fulfil this mission, we need to ensure writers are getting the best possible services at the time they require them most. It would be unfair to accept your money if your manuscript is not ready for developmental review.
We are working on more affordable and accessible services for earlier-stage writers and their manuscripts-in-progress.
What happens if my manuscript isn’t ready?
In the event that our editors recommend you wait before seeking editorial services, they will offer some insights as to what you should focus on to revise your manuscript.
How are your editorial services so affordable?
Unlike other editorial services, we have a pricing model that is reflective of the whole process, not dictated by the words on the page.
We’ve developed flat-rate service fees based on your manuscript length up to 199,999 words. For manuscripts 200,000+, please get in touch for a quote.
As this is NOT a line editing service, we believe charging per word is not reflective of the editorial work involved. Instead, we have developed a pricing model that reflects the dedication and commitment our editors put into each service to champion our writers and their manuscripts.
We have also developed additional services to complement the editorial dish you choose, so that you can build your own delicious meal. We do it this way to ensure you pay only for what you require.
How long does it take?
It typically takes 6 weeks from payment to receive your manuscript back with all your developmental edits.
For DINING-IN services, allow an extra week for review recommendations.
All our meals are made with the highest quality ingredients, cooked to perfection, and seasoned with flavour. This takes time, commitment, and dedication from our editors to get each one up to standard.
What if I need it done faster?
No, you do not. The 6 weeks serve as a necessary break that is vital to improving your manuscript. Use the time to rest, relax, read, or go ahead and start writing something completely new.
This also assures you that our editors are giving your writing the time and attention it deserves. Editors need time to digest your tasty words before offering their expertly nuanced feedback.
What are Ingredients’?
Ingredients are what goes into the meal/dish/package you are receiving. They enable you to make a decision on just how much sustenance you require to take your manuscript to the next level.
What are ‘Sides’?
Sides are additional services that enable us to keep our editing services incredibly flexible and affordable.
Sometimes a developmental edit is all a writer needs, and they feel confident and able to make amendments with no further assistance. Other times, a writer may need additional support to revise. and polish their manuscript to get it to a publishable standard.
Essentially, these additional services empower our writers to tailor the package to their requirements and bundle them to save money. Please see the benefits for each.
What are ‘Mark-Ups’ & ‘Notes’?
Mark-ups are tracked changes or comments on your manuscript document.
Notes are longer, discursive comments detailing the issues and inconsistencies in your manuscript, as well as improvements necessary to take it to a publishable standard.
Will there be support following the developmental edit?
The 4 main packages are just the review and associated benefits (see the ‘Ingredients’ on your chosen package for details). However, writers can add ‘Sides’ to their meal for additional services for follow-up support.
Why do you keep talking about food?
It’s all down to the fact that we are looking for writers who are hungry to change publishing and starving to get their writing to a publishable standard.
Many of our writers are experiencing editorial services for the first time. They can be confusing and complicated, which is why we use an analogy to help put everything into simpler terms. Editing is a complex process, so we want to help new and emerging writers navigate it more smoothly.
It’s also to put our flavour into our services, recognise the tasty words and work that come our way, and a nod to how we don’t just use our heads and hearts…we’re operating with our guts too.