Can’t Afford Developmental Editing? Budget-Friendly Alternatives That Actually Help
- Iris Marsh
- 23 apr
- 5 minuten om te lezen
So you’ve finished your manuscript—amazing! But now you’re staring at the costs of editing and thinking, How am I supposed to afford that?
I get it. A full developmental edit can easily run into the thousands, and not every indie author has that kind of budget.
But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. There are real, practical ways to improve your manuscript even if you can’t pay for a full developmental edit (yet).
In this post, I’ll walk you through some budget-friendly options, including:
self-editing with the right tools
getting feedback from critique partners or alpha readers
using apps like Fictionary
trying a manuscript evaluation or “next step” assessment
leveraging free craft resources and YouTube tutorials
study and learn developmental editing techniques on your own.
Each of these options can help you revise and strengthen your book without breaking the bank.
Let’s dive in.
1. Self-Edit Like a Pro (With the Right Tools)
If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, self-editing is one of the most empowering things you can do. You’ll improve your manuscript and your skills at the same time.
But it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Luckily, I have some free resources for you to help you with that. Start with my series of blog posts on the developmental editing process, which begins here with identifying your genre for nonfiction and fiction.
But to give you some idea, this is a general flow for editing your novel:
Consistency in tone and theme.
Subplots.
Gaps, plot holes, redundant scenes, or missing scenes.
Worldbuilding/setting.
Scene structure and conflict.
Tools to help you self-edit:
My free self-editing course (start here if you're new to self-editing).
Developmental Editing Workbook (step-by-step guidance).
Fictionary – a web app that helps you analyze your story scene by scene.
My Writing Working Scenes recorded workshop for fiction authors (perfect when you’re evaluating your scenes).
Official editing courses like the ones offered on the EFA website.
2. Find a Critique Partner or Writing Group
Two brains are better than one—especially when it comes to finding plot holes, character issues, or confusing story arcs. But this only works if you pick the right critique partners and ask them specific questions.
Look for:
fellow writers who are slightly more advanced than you are (so you can learn from them)
people who read your genre.
You can find critique partners through writing communities like:
Facebook writing groups (like mine! Check out my Facebook group here.)
3. Use Alpha Readers Strategically
Alpha readers aren't editors, but they can offer powerful insights into how your story lands. They’re different from beta readers because of the stage you bring them in.
While you usually ask for beta readers when the draft is as good as you can get it, alpha readers often read a first or early draft. So it’s a lot messier, and they expect it.
Ask them questions like:
Where did you lose interest?
Which characters did you connect with?
Was anything confusing or unrealistic?
What areas in the story feel weak? What’s not working for you?
What’s working in the story?
Did you have any questions after you read the story?
Tip: Use a form or checklist to gather consistent feedback. You can use StoryOrigin's beta reader function, for instance, to streamline things.
4. Try a Manuscript Evaluation or Plot Critique
If you can’t afford a full edit, a manuscript evaluation is a solid middle-ground. It gives you:
high-level feedback on story, structure, pacing, and character
a professional’s eye without the full price tag.
And if you’re a more advanced writer, a manuscript evaluation is often all you need.
Another option is the plot critique. While this might not be as obvious at first, it can give you some low-cost insight into your structure. You simply give an outline of your scenes with short summaries and a synopsis of your story. The editor will pick out weaknesses and strengths in your plot.
So then you’ll still know what to fix in your story for a fraction of the price.
I offer these as part of my services, too, so check out my manuscript evaluation and plot critique service to see if I’m the right fit for your project.
5. Use Craft Books & Story Frameworks
When in doubt, lean on proven storytelling structures. Some of my favorite guides:
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Super Structure by James Scott Bell
The Write Structure by Joe Bunting
The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler (an in-depth guide of the Hero’s Journey)
While these structures are great to follow when plotting, you can also use them to evaluate your story against. It can help you spot things like missing beats or weak character arcs.
6. Watch Free YouTube Tutorials
There’s a lot of amazing content out there you can learn from—just be sure you're following creators with real experience.
Try:
My YouTube playlist: First Draft to Finished
Hello Future Me (especially helpful for fantasy writers)
Abbie Emmons (especially helpful for plot & emotion-driven storytelling)
You can learn a lot about pacing, arcs, and scene-level editing with the right videos and a bit of focused effort.
7. Get a “next step” assessment
If you're totally stuck, a quick assessment by an editor can be incredibly valuable. It’s not a full edit, but it can help you:
fix the “muddy middle”
brainstorm fixes for weak subplots or character arcs
prioritize your next steps
Many editors (including me!) offer mini consults or “next step assessments” as a low-cost option for authors who need guidance but either don’t need a full edit just yet or can’t afford it.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a huge budget to improve your story. With the right tools, support, and a little bit of planning, you can absolutely level up your manuscript—even if you're not ready to invest in a full developmental edit.
And when you are ready? You’ll have a stronger draft, more confidence, and a clear understanding of what kind of support you need.
In the meantime, use what’s available. Keep learning. Keep writing. You’ve got this.
