Developmental Editing for Black women writers
As writers, we often start with a spark—an image, a voice, a moment we can’t shake. But turning that spark into a fully realized story that holds a reader from start to finish takes more than inspiration. It requires clarity, intention, and a willingness to shape and reshape what’s on the page. That’s where we come in.
Developmental editing is the stage where a story takes shape. It focuses on the foundation of the work, helping writers understand how their ideas, characters, and narrative choices are working on the page. Whether you are revising an early draft or refining a more developed one, this stage addresses the big picture of the story, including structure, character development, pacing, cohesion, and emotional impact.
At midnight & indigo, our editorial work supports Black women writers who are ready to engage seriously with revision. We work closely with you to identify what’s working, what needs attention, and what may still be missing. With thoughtful guidance and honest feedback, we support you in taking your work to the next level.
Through close reading and guided editorial conversation, we help Black women writers strengthen their stories and move forward with confidence.
Explore our developmental editing packages and find the level of support that best fits you.
The Story Spark Critique — $150
Every story begins with a spark. A moment. An idea. This offering helps you catch that spark and understand what it wants to become.
The Story Spark Critique is a focused, one-page written assessment designed to help you strengthen the idea, voice, and direction of your story before you dive deeper. Whether you are working from a rough draft, a few opening paragraphs, or a short concept, this critique gives you clarity and momentum.
What’s Included
You'll receive an honest, thoughtful reading of your work. It will highlight your story’s potential, show you where the narrative opens up, and offer clear guidance to help you develop your next draft with intention. This is gentle guidance, not judgment. It is an invitation to see your work more clearly and take your next step with confidence.
You Will Receive
- A 1-page written critique of your story concept, opening, or early draft (up to 1,500 words)
- A Mini Craft Pattern Note highlighting emerging patterns in your storytelling
- Three actionable revision priorities
- Clear next steps to strengthen your story’s direction, voice, and emotional impact
- Received 3-4 weeks after receipt of your manuscript
Best For
Black women writers who want feedback before investing in a full edit.
Especially helpful for writers who are asking, “Is this working, and where should I go from here?”
Short Story Developmental Edit — $395
Every story holds a rhythm. A direction it wants to take. This offering helps you hear that deeper pulse and understand how to bring your story into its fullest shape.
The Short Story Developmental Edit offers a close and intentional reading of a single short story (up to 3,500 words). You will gain insight into structure, character development, pacing, voice, and the choices that give your story energy and impact.
What’s Included
You'll receive an honest, thoughtful reading of your work. It will highlight your story’s potential, show you where the narrative opens up, and offer clear guidance to help you develop your next draft with intention.
The goal is not to rewrite your story. The goal is to show you what is working, what wants to expand, and how you can move forward with confidence.
You Will Receive
- A comprehensive developmental edit of your short story presented in a 3 to 4 page written report
- A Craft Pattern Report that reflects the strengths, themes, and emerging patterns within your writing
- Margin notes in places where clarity, expansion, or refinement will support your revision
- Received 4-6 weeks after receipt of your manuscript
Best For
Black women writers seeking structured guidance for revision and a deeper understanding of their craft.
Also ideal for writers preparing stories for contests, submissions, or publication.
Novel Developmental Editing — from $1,499
A comprehensive, big-picture edit of your novel manuscript focused on plot, structure, character arcs, and narrative flow—complete with an editorial letter and in-manuscript notes.
What’s Included
Developmental editing is a phase in the publishing process where editors work with authors to resolve “big picture” issues in their manuscripts, such as a compelling storyline, strong structure, engaging character arcs, and narrative pace.
TURNAROUND TIME: 8-12 weeks from receipt of your manuscript; excluding weekends and holidays
What you'll receive:
1) A detailed Editorial letter - a written analysis of your full manuscript, including the following elements and more:
Plot - analysis of the story itself, as well as any plot holes or errors
Character - analysis of each main character in the story, including character development
Pacing and Flow - a look at how your story world develops from start to finish, and how quickly each element is presented
Descriptions and Setting - analysis of how well these elements are done in your manuscript. Can the reader visualize your scenes? Have you given so much information that your story drags? How can you improve the descriptions in your story?
Style and Voice - comments on how you can improve your writing as a whole (what you have done well and what may need work or revision
2) In-text comments and feedback inserted into your manuscript draft
3) A 1-hour One-on-One Story Coaching & Developmental Editing Feedback Session
During our 60-minute session, we'll discuss your manuscript, any questions about my feedback, and I'll provide feedback on viable next steps to take your fiction to the next level. This will take place via video call/Zoom (unless phone is preferred). For more information on how to download or use Zoom, please click here.
For this package, I will review up to 90,000 words of your manuscript and provide feedback on major story elements. You’ll be surprised by how much you can learn.
Process
Once you reach out, you will receive an email with instructions on how to email over your manuscript for evaluation and schedule time for our Discovery call to initiate our process.
If we mutually agree to partner, we'll follow up to get you booked and squared away with payment. You will receive your editorial letter in approx. 9-12 weeks (depending upon manuscript length), to allow sufficient time to review and provide meaningful feedback. Coaching calls will take place 1 week after you receive your editorial letter.
PLEASE NOTE: The difference between developmental editing and copy editing is that while developmental editors focus on the big picture, structure, readability, and feedback for issues that could be fixed, copy editing is more focused on sentence-level issues such as typos, spelling, and grammatical errors. We do not provide copy editing services in this package.
Meet Your Black Woman Editor
Ianna A. Small
CEO & Literary Architect -
midnight & indigo
Ianna A. Small is a seasoned developmental editor and story coach with over 12 years of experience helping writers bring their ideas to the page with clarity, confidence, and craft. As the founder and executive editor behind midnight & indigo, she’s worked closely with more than 400 Black women writers across the diaspora, guiding short stories, essays, and novel excerpts from rough draft to published piece. She leads all editorial direction for the literary journal and Writing Program, with a sharp eye for narrative structure, character development, and emotional resonance.
Ianna is a proud Syracuse alum, a member of ACES and the Editorial Freelancers Association, and a lifelong lover of Black and South Asian literature, Korean horror, cultural food docs, and all things Michelle Obama and The Golden Girls. She dreams of one day running m&i from a lounge chair in Greece—her happy place—manuscript in one hand, roti in the other.
Get Started
What’s Next
Once you reach out, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to send your work for evaluation and schedule a time for our Discovery call. If we mutually agree to partner, we'll follow up to get you booked and squared away with payment. Depending on what you booked, our coaching call may take place 4-12 weeks from the receipt of your manuscript pages to allow sufficient time to review and provide meaningful feedback.
All sessions are held on Zoom (phone is also an option if you prefer). You’ll receive the link in advance, so all you need to do is show up ready to dig in!
Have questions? Reach out at info@midnightandindigo.com