Developmental Editor
for Fiction & Non-Fiction Writers
You have a story worth telling. But does your reader know that?
Let's give your story the edit that keeps readers engaged to the very last page.
From prolific ghostwriter to developmental editor, I know what makes books work.
Services
Bring your book to life with developmental editing, editorial assessments, outlining, and alpha reading. Find the structure that makes your story pop and gives readers a book they can't put down.
About Me
Meet the woman behind the laptop. Find out why I’m obsessed with structure—and why I believe the book you’re trying to write already exists in the draft you have.
You are an author with a story that deserves to be told well.
But you don’t have to do it on your own.
In fact, you shouldn’t.
Whether you are…
A coach or practitioner teaching a method
A novelist building a brand-new world
Or have lived a life worth sharing in your unique memoir…
A common misconception is that writing is a solo act.
But look at the acknowledgement page at the back of any book, and you’ll see that it takes an entire team of people to get a book from the brain to the page.
Right now, you might feel:
Lost in the sauce because you've re-read the same chapters so many times you can no longer tell if they work or not. Every pass changes something, but you never seem to get any closer to that finish line.
Drained and discouraged because you've put your whole self into this draft and something still feels off—you just can't put your finger on what that something is exactly.
Totally stuck because the feedback you've gotten is either “I loved it! No notes!” or a line edit that goes so far into the weeds that you feel like you might as well throw out the whole book (don’t!).
You have the story, the instinct, and the unique voice, but what you’re missing is perspective. You need an outside eye to review your words and make sure your message rings clear to every reader who picks up your book.
This is why developmental editors exist. They’re the secret weapon inside every great author’s toolkit.
Imagine if you could…
Open your draft and know exactly what is missing or what doesn’t make sense.
Revise with a plan instead of circling the same three chapters over and over again.
Hear feedback that calls out the root of the problem, not just the symptom.
Send your book out into the world and feel amazing—with zero knots in your stomach.
Finish the book you set out to write, not settle for the draft you drifted into.
Get back to the version of yourself who was excited about becoming an author before the doubt settled in.
You can. And you will.
You’ve already done the hard part. You’ve written the book. Now, all we need to do is cross that finish line.
The next part of the journey requires knowing what to cut, what to move, and making sure the book’s message comes through super clearly.
This kind of work is done best when it’s done from a fresh perspective. It's time to hand your manuscript to someone whose job is to see what changes will make your book stronger.
Together, let's:
Find the book's true spine by giving your manuscript a full structural pass, chapter by chapter, with notes you can easily act on.
Cut out the fluff after getting clear on what’s important to your message and what is better suited for—as they say in the film business—the “cutting room floor.”
Catch the problems early (while they're still cheap to fix) by determining whether your story works now before you’re forced to spend another six months on revisions later.
All of this, and without any extra effort from you.
When we work together, you get more than a reader’s reaction. You get a diagnosis: is the book actually meeting reader’s expectations, and is it accomplishing what you set out to do? Whatever gaps exist, you’ll get a plan that states plainly exactly how to get them filled.
Stop guessing at what's wrong and start knowing what to work on next.
I'm Sckylar. Your friendly internet dev ed with a passion for story structure. ✨
Like most writers, my passion for story developed in early childhood. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with bringing stories to life. Was there really ever any other option but for me to work with books? The fates decided that answer long ago: absolutely not.
I have helped over 50 authors manifest their book idea onto the page by helping them outline, write, and doctor their manuscripts. I have ghostwritten 15+ books on authors’ behalf, helping them share their authentic voice with the world. Whether I am outlining, writing, or editing, one thing is certain: I know what makes a book work.
I love working with…
Coaches and practitioners with a transformative framework that deserves to be seen by a wide-scale audience
Memoirists writing the story only they can tell, who need the support only structure can give to paint the picture for a reader who wasn’t there
Science-fiction and fantasy novelists with a world built and a plot still finding its way through the adventure
And other authors—first-timers and repeat writers alike—who want to give the world the very best version of their story.
The world needs your story.
That’s why it’s my mission to help you bring your book to life.
We all have the power to change the world. When we band together, we become invincible.
Services
Choose Your Own Adventure
Pick and choose which à la carte services your book needs.
Developmental Editing
BEGINS AT $3,000 for manuscripts up to 50,000 words*
*Additional Words: +$600 per 10,000-word block (rounded to the nearest block).
Description: Developmental Editing offers the full structural pass. I read your manuscript front to back, leaving in-line notes throughout. Afterward, you get an editorial letter covering the big-picture findings, receive detailed notes within the document conveying exactly what is needed to polish and strengthen your draft, and I’ll put it all together in a recorded Loom video explaining how to implement it all.
Best for: a finished draft that’s ready for its glow-up. In my full report, you’ll learn exactly what an outside reader understands about your book, what concepts are coming across clearly, what's feeling repetitive, and what gaps need filling.
What you get:
Full manuscript read-through
Detailed in-line notes within the manuscript document
Comprehensive editorial letter detailing structural, pacing, character arcs, big-picture findings, and areas of attention
Personalized 15-minute Loom video explaining findings and suggested implementation
Editorial Assessment
BEGINS AT $1,200 for manuscripts up to 50,000 words*
*Additional Words: +$250 per 10,000-word block (rounded to the nearest block).
Description: One careful read, one honest report. I read the whole manuscript and write up what's working, what isn't, and what to fix first, considering structure, pacing, argument, and arc. No in-manuscript markup and no chapter-level notes: this is diagnosis, not treatment. You will still receive a recorded Loom video explaining my assessment and how to implement changes.
It's the lower-commitment way to find out where you stand before investing in a full edit.
Best for: a complete draft that’s looking for a glow-up but isn’t quite ready for the in-depth analysis that’s given with a full dev-ed.
What you get:
Comprehensive editorial letter detailing structural, pacing, character arcs, big-picture findings, and areas of attention
Personalized 15-minute Loom video roadmap outlining your exact implementation steps
Note: This service focuses on macro-level feedback and does not include in-line margin comments or direct manuscript edits. For micro-level feedback, please see Development Editing
Alpha Reading
BEGINS AT $300 for manuscripts up to 50,000 words*
*Additional Words: +$50 per 10,000-word block (rounded to the nearest block).
Description: Early eyes on a rough draft. I read your draft in its incomplete, messy, mid-revision state and give you my first impressions. This is an early check on a raw, rough, or unfinished manuscript to see if the core premise, world-building, and major plot points hold together
Structural problems are easier to fix when found early. Finding out at 40,000 words that the premise doesn't support the book is far better than finding out after you've polished every sentence in it.
Best for: a draft in progress, when you want to know you're building on solid ground.
What you get:
High-level diagnostic report covering macro-level plot sustainability, core premise viability, and worldbuilding consistency.
Personalized 15-minute Loom video summary with first-impression reactions.
Note: This service evaluates raw, unfinished drafts or partial outlines. It does not include proofreading or chapter-level margin edits. For more detailed feedback, please see Editorial Assessment or Developmental Editing.
Book Outline
$1,000*
*Nonfiction and memoir only.
Description: Structure your book before you write it. This is for you if you’ve got a book idea, but don’t have any idea where to start.
Before you write a word, we’ll talk through your book idea in depth in a two-hour interview. To you, it will feel like a simple chat, but with my strategic questions, I’ll pull out your expertise and unique positioning. We’ll talk about the method, the story, the turning points, and all the golden nuggets that make your story and framework truly transformational. Then I’ll take everything we’ve talked about and use it to build you a detailed roadmap outlining the book’s audience, purpose, key themes, and what ideas, stories, and concepts to cover in what chapter.
You come away with a book plan that is easy to follow so you can finally sit down and write.
Best for: a book you've been feeling called to write for years but haven't yet started.
What you get:
A 2-hour interview to extract your book’s vision and content
A 10-15 page outline you can use as your exact roadmap for writing the book you’ve been thinking about for ages
Note: This description is for non-fiction and memoir books only. For help outlining fictional books, please reach out for more information.
The Power of Short Books For Serious Entrepreneurs
Do you know the most effective way to build trust and authority with your ideal clients, while also filling your calendar with pre-qualified leads eager to collaborate?
I’ll give you a hint: It’s not a hundred social media posts, an hour-long webinar, or a 14-day email sequence (although all of these are effective in their own ways).
The answer is a book.
Specifically, a short, easy to read and understand book supported by a powerful book funnel.
I’m willing to bet that at one point or another, your life was completely changed after you read a book. From personal development to spiritual books and even fiction, books are the catalyst to major growth and transformation.
People trust the written word in a way they can’t embrace any other type of content. Books offer value upfront and show your audience how much you care about their growth.
When you write a book, you give your reader a taste of the wisdom you have to offer and show what you can do to help them on their journey.
That’s why books are the best way to stand out from other coaches, course creators, and entrepreneurs and the fastest way to grow in your marketplace.
Let’s chat about how we can take your book from an idea to a life-changing offering, starting with a detailed book outline.
A quick note about what I don't do…
I'm not a proofreader or a copy editor.
I don't fix commas, hunt typos, or standardize your em dashes. If I spot an error while I'm reading, I'll flag it—but that's a courtesy, not the purpose of my job.
Here's the difference:
A copy editor works at the sentence level. They look for things like grammar, punctuation, consistency, and house style.
A proofreader is the last pass before it goes out, catching what everyone else missed. Both are essential. You will need both. But they both come after the work I do.
I work at the level above the sentence. If you are writing a non-fiction book that argues a particular framework, I am looking to make sure the argument stands strong and makes sense to a brand new reader.
If you are writing a story-based book, I am looking to see if the middle sags or if the story makes sense all the way from the first page to the last.
Are there plot holes? Is there redundancy? Is the thing you’ve been trying to accomplish through three rough drafts coming through now that you’ve finally sent it to me?
There is a practical reason a developmental editor is needed before a copy editor or proofreader. Polishing a chapter that's going to get cut is wasted effort—an expensive wasted effort.
Structure is the foundation. It must come first. Then sentence-level edits, then proofreading last.
Come to me before you hire either of the others. You’ll be grateful that you did.
The Process
1. Book Your Free Consultation
Schedule a free 30-minute call to talk about your manuscript. This is a non-committal Zoom call designed to answer your questions and give you more information about the dev-ed process.
We’ll discuss where you’re at in the writing process, where you feel you need the most support at this time, and what your goals are for your manuscript once it’s finished.
We’ll talk about which of my services fit your needs the most and what the next steps are. If what you need isn't what I offer, I'll tell you that too.
2. Deposit and Onboarding
I require a 50% deposit is to begin any work. A deposit secures your spot in my schedule and ensures mutual commitment, allowing me to dedicate focused time to your project. For you, it guarantees your deadline and breaks the total cost into manageable payments, while providing me the professional security to begin work immediately.
I’ll also have you fill out a short questionnaire detailing your influences, your intentions, questions you have, specific areas you want me to pay special attention to, and any chapters you suspect need extra help. Essentially, anything you want me to know before I begin my work.
Your manuscript must be sent to me in either a Word or Google Doc file. If sent in a Word doc, I will copy it to a Google Doc so I can give in-line feedback with suggested edits and comments. This helps you know exactly what lines my notes are referencing.
3. The Work
I will read all manuscripts through twice. The first time, I read it straight through, start to finish, experiencing your book as a first-time reader would.
The second pass is where the editing happens: chapter by chapter, scene by scene, tracking what's structurally load-bearing and what isn't. You'll hear from me if something needs clarifying, but mostly this phase is quiet. I’d encourage you to use this time as a respite from your book. This will help you come back refreshed when it’s time to implement the changes.
4. Delivery and Debrief
All deliverables are delivered via email. In addition to the service you ordered, you will also receive a Loom video walking you through my findings and what implementation I recommend. Final payment is due upon delivery.
FAQ
-
If your draft is rough and you're not sure the story works, start with an alpha read.
If it's complete and you want to start with a high-level review before you commit to a revision, that's an editorial assessment.
If you're ready to do the full revision and want chapter-by-chapter guidance with in-line feedback, that's a developmental edit.
Still not sure? Book a free consult and tell me where you are. I'll say which one fits, even if the answer is none of them yet.
-
No matter where your story lives while you’re writing it, I do all editing inside of Google Docs.
Because Docs is always live and tracks revisions, there is never any confusion about what’s been changed. If you’re getting a full developmental edit, the suggestion edit and comment feature makes it easy to know what changes I suggest without risking the integrity of your main draft. Docs also maintains the integrity of its formatting so you can copy and paste into Word, Scrivener, or whatever word processor you use.
No matter how you send me your manuscript, I will always work in a copy so no changes are made to your master draft.
-
For a developmental edit or an assessment, yes—I need the whole thing, because structural problems usually live in the relationship between the parts. For an alpha read, no. A rough, incomplete draft is exactly what that service is for.
-
No. Your voice is what I'm protecting. I work above the sentence—what's in the book, in what order, doing what—and I don't rewrite your prose. On occasion, I may suggest a sentence edit (for example, if a sentence reads awkwardly, I may suggest how to revise it), but this is a suggestion only. When I suggest a change, it's a change to structure or content, described in a note. You make it, in your words.
-
The turnaround time is dependent on the length of the manuscript. After our initial discovery call, I will provide an estimated delivery date with the proposal.
-
Absolutely not; you always retain full editorial control over your manuscript.
As an experienced editor and ghostwriter, my suggestions are designed to elevate your book using industry expertise, and I will always explain the "why" behind my recommendations. However, this is your story, and you have the final say on every single word.
-
Every book requires polishing to succeed, and I have never read a draft that didn't have something beautiful worth saving. I promise to always offer you radical honesty over comfortable flattery. If your story needs deep structural changes or extra care, I will tell you frankly and show you exactly how to fix it, while fully respecting your vision.
-
Books are often the catalyst for massive change. By publishing a short 100-page book, you’re offering your reader actionable value up-front, building trust and authority in your niche, and showing why you are the person who can guide the reader on the journey to reaching their goals.
I can help you outline a book that your audience will gravitate toward, and later, I can help you edit it so your message comes through loud and clear.
Let’s Make It Official!
Ready to stop guessing at what your draft needs and find out for certain?
Book a 30-minute video call!
During the call, we’ll discuss:
Your book — What it's about, who it's for, and what you want a reader to walk away with.
Where the draft is — Complete? Rough? Third revision? And what's already been done to it, by you or anyone else.
What's worrying you — Most authors arrive with a suspicion. The middle drags. The ending came too fast. Something about chapter four. Tell me your thoughts, even if you can't explain it fully. That instinct is usually right, and it's a good thing for me to know up front.
Which service fits — Alpha read, assessment, or full developmental edit. I'll tell you which one I'd recommend and why.
Scope, timing, and cost — Word count, turnaround, and what it runs. You'll get a written proposal afterward so nothing's decided on the call.
Book a 30-minute call here ➡️