Development
Authors with a completed draft requiring structural or story-level development.
Typical investment
Quoted individually
Based on a 60,000–80,000-word manuscript. Shorter or longer manuscripts are quoted individually.
Estimated timeline
14–20 weeks, dependent on the author's revision schedule and manuscript readiness.
One follow-up assessment of the revised manuscript is included. Additional editorial rounds or major revisions require a separate written quote.
Development is an assessment-and-guidance service for a finished draft that is not yet ready for production. RFP reads the whole manuscript, explains what is working and what is not, and stays with you through one follow-up evaluation of your revised draft. You perform the revisions. Production begins only once the manuscript is assessed as ready.
Included in Development
- Full developmental manuscript assessment.
- Detailed editorial letter addressing structure, pacing, character development, continuity, and other significant concerns.
- One 90-minute editorial consultation.
- One follow-up assessment of the author's revised manuscript with a shorter written evaluation.
- The Production services described above, once the manuscript is ready.
Not included
- Manuscript revisions, which remain the author's work.
- Unlimited developmental editing or line-by-line manuscript rewriting.
- Additional editorial rounds or major revisions beyond those described, which require a separate written quote.
- Production work before the manuscript is assessed as ready.
Your responsibilities
You perform the manuscript revisions and set your own revision schedule. RFP assesses, advises, and evaluates; it does not rewrite the manuscript for you. You decide which recommendations to act on and provide the revised draft for the follow-up assessment.
Payment Plans Available
You don’t have to pay the entire project fee upfront. RFP Publishing offers milestone-based installment payments, typically beginning with a 30% initial payment. The remaining balance is paid as your project progresses, according to an agreed schedule.
FIT
Is RFP Publishing the Right Fit?
RFP Publishing primarily works with authors of novels and other prose-driven manuscripts, including fiction and selected nonfiction.
Our services are designed for text-focused books. We do not currently offer production services for children's picture books, heavily illustrated books, or projects requiring specialized illustration and page design.
Every project is considered individually, based on its scope, editorial needs, subject matter, and fit with RFP Publishing's services and professional standards.
07 / FIRST CONVERSATION
Start With a Conversation
Not every writer needs the same kind of help. Some need accountability. Some need craft development. Some need an honest manuscript assessment. Others simply need help deciding what comes next. The first conversation is designed to understand your project, goals, experience, and where you feel stuck.
Request a Project Quote