Developmental editing · Romance, contemporary & fantasy fiction
Your story, seen clearly.
I help romance, contemporary and fantasy authors turn a finished draft into the book they imagined, with detailed, honest feedback on plot, character, pacing and theme from an editor who writes fiction herself.
Currently booking new manuscripts · replies within 1 working day
Services & pricing
Three ways to work together
Every service looks at the big picture of your story: plot, character arcs, pacing, dialogue, setting, theme and conflict. Choose the depth that fits where your manuscript is right now.
First Chapter Evaluation
£75 flat · up to 5,000 words
For authors who want expert eyes on their opening, or who want to try working with me before committing to a full edit.
- Written report on your opening chapter
- In-line comments throughout
- Focus on hook, voice and first impressions
- Turnaround within 1 week
Manuscript Evaluation
From £5 per 1,000 words · approx. £400 for an 80k novel
For a finished draft that needs a clear, honest map of what's working and what to revise next.
- Detailed editorial report (typically 7+ pages)
- Covers plot, pacing, characters, dialogue, setting, theme, conflict and style
- Clear, prioritised revision suggestions
- Turnaround within 2–3 weeks
Developmental Edit
From £9 per 1,000 words · approx. £720 for an 80k novel
For authors ready for the fullest level of feedback before querying or self-publishing.
- Everything in the Manuscript Evaluation
- Plus in-line comments throughout your manuscript
- Scene-level notes on what works and why
- Follow-up email Q&A after delivery
- Turnaround within 3–4 weeks
How it works
From enquiry to edited manuscript
Say hello
Send your word count, genre and a little about your book through the enquiry form.
Get your quote
I reply within 1 working day with a fixed price and the next available start date.
Two careful reads
Your manuscript gets a careful first read for story, then a second pass for the details.
Feedback arrives
You receive your report and notes, plus the chance to ask follow-up questions.
Testimonials
What authors say
From authors I've worked with on manuscript evaluations and developmental edits.
Eboni picked up on foreshadowing and thematic elements in a way that let me know she read my manuscript carefully and more than once… this tells me that she treats each job with care and does not rush to see an edit through. The completed manuscript evaluation was of impressive quality… I wouldn't hesitate to recommend others to her for her developmental editing services.
Emily Ambrose Manuscript evaluation & sample editEboni provided detailed notes on the first 10k words of my MS with insightful and helpful feedback. Her comments were positive but constructive and working with her gave me the boost I needed to continue working on elements of my story. Her turnaround time was quick and she was very responsive. Overall it was a very positive experience.
Brooke Chenoweth Opening chapters feedbackThe 7-page detailed report was incredibly thorough, with in-line comments and suggestions that will genuinely strengthen my manuscript. I agreed with nearly every recommendation; it's rare to find feedback that's both insightful and perfectly aligned with your vision. This review gave me exactly the guidance I needed to take my novel to the next level.
Jacquelynn Lear Manuscript reviewEboni's feedback helped me understand that my voice and writing style were working, while also identifying areas where my language and descriptions needed to be adjusted for my intended audience. She gave me clear guidance while still allowing me the flexibility to make my own decisions as the writer. Her honesty helped me see issues I had missed despite editing the manuscript numerous times myself. I would recommend Eboni to other writers looking for a developmental editor, and I would happily approach her again for help with my full manuscript.
Rose Rakes Developmental feedback
About your editor
Hi, I'm Eboni. An author first, and an editor because of it.
I've written three novels of my own, so I know exactly what it feels like to hand your story to someone else. That's why every manuscript I edit gets the care I'd want for mine: multiple careful reads, honest notes, and feedback that protects your vision rather than replacing it with someone else's.
Romance is my home genre: it's what I write and what I know inside out. I also work with contemporary and fantasy fiction. I've completed two professional editing courses and have provided evaluations and developmental edits for authors preparing to query and self-publish.
Reading and writing aren't just my work, they're my passion. You can find me on TikTok for tips on developmental editing, and on Instagram where I share my love of books and reading recommendations.
Free advice
Top 3 tips for polishing your manuscript
Before you hire anyone, these three things will make your next draft stronger, and make any professional edit go further.
Let it rest before you revise
Put the finished draft away for at least two weeks before rereading it. Distance turns you from the writer back into a reader, and you'll spot pacing dips and plot holes you were too close to see.
Read your dialogue out loud
If a line feels awkward to say, it will feel awkward to read. Reading aloud catches stilted dialogue, repeated words and sentences that run out of breath, faster than any checklist.
Track what each scene is doing
For every scene, write one sentence: what changes here? If nothing changes in the plot, a relationship, or what the reader knows, that scene is a polite candidate for cutting or merging.
Done all three and want a professional pair of eyes next? That's exactly what my Manuscript Evaluation is for: a clear, honest map of your story's strengths and next steps.
Enquire
Tell me about your book
No payment now and no obligation. Just send the details and I'll reply within 1 working day with a quote and my next available start date.
Your details are only used to reply to your enquiry, nothing else.