Developmental Editing & Story Coaching
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? That takes more than inspiration. It takes clarity, intention, and a willingness to shape and reshape what’s on the page.That’s where we come in.
Developmental editing and story coaching help fiction writers strengthen the foundation of their manuscripts. Whether you're revising a first draft or refining your third, this stage focuses on the big picture—narrative structure, character arcs, world-building, plot cohesion, pacing, and emotional impact. We’ll work closely with you to identify what’s working, what’s not, and what’s missing. With thoughtful guidance and honest feedback, we support you in taking your work and journey as a writer to the next level.
Short Story Critique: One-on-One Developmental Coaching session — $499
Get detailed feedback on your short story, including insights on character, plot, pacing, and style—plus suggestions for revision and next steps.
What’s Included
During your Short Story Critique: One-on-One Developmental Coaching session, we'll discuss your draft and I'll provide verbal feedback on tangible next steps to take your story to the next level.
TURNAROUND TIME: 4-6 weeks from receipt of your manuscript; excluding weekends and holidays
What you'll receive:
1) During our 60-minute session, we'll discuss your manuscript and an analysis of your short story 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
You'll send me your pages to review in advance, so we can spend as much time as possible focusing on my recommendation, your ideas and burning questions. I'll review up to 7,000 words.
Please note: written feedback or line editing of your manuscript is not included in this service.
Process
Once you register, you will receive an email with instructions on how to email over your story for evaluation and schedule time for our Discovery call to initiate our process.
Coaching calls will take place at least 4 weeks from the receipt of your manuscript pages, to allow sufficient time to review and provide meaningful feedback. Please note: written feedback is not included in this package.
All calls will be held via Zoom (unless phone is preferred). The link to join our Zoom meeting will be provided in advance. For more information on how to download or use Zoom, please click here.
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
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 emerging and established 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