August 19, 2025

How to Find and Hire a Developmental Editor for Your Novel

38 minutes

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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