Who this workshop is for and what you'll get out of it

In this one-hour workshop, Laura Portwood-Stacer will share expert tips on how to find and work with a professional developmental editor who can give you the support you need to reach your publishing goals. Whether you're writing your first book or article or building on past academic publishing experiences, learn how a freelance developmental editor can help and how to vet them to make sure they're the right fit for your needs.

This workshop will cover:

  • What developmental editing is and how it differs from copyediting, coaching, peer review, and other forms of support
  • Why scholars choose to work with freelance developmental editors
  • When in your writing and publishing timeline to work with a developmental editor
  • What to look for in a good developmental editor and what questions to ask before deciding to work with someone
  • How much developmental editing costs and what you can expect to get for your investment


You'll leave knowing whether working with a professional developmental editor is right for you and how to ensure a successful working relationship so your money is well spent.

This workshop is for scholars who are hoping to publish academic books or articles, however most of the principles shared apply widely and can be used by any author who is considering hiring a professional developmental editor.

Register to attend the workshop and access recordings + supporting materials

Live workshop: Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 12:00–1:00pm Pacific with question and answer period to follow. Live attendance is encouraged; all registrants get access to the recordings and supporting materials regardless of live attendance.

By signing up for this workshop you agree to be added to the Manuscript Works email newsletter list.

You can unsubscribe from this list at any time without affecting your registration.


About Laura Portwood-Stacer


Laura Portwood-Stacer, PhD, is a publishing consultant, developmental editor, and the author of The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors (Princeton University Press, 2021). Laura's online courses and workshops have helped thousands of academic writers craft outstanding book proposals and connect successfully with editors at university presses and other scholarly publishers. Laura's next book, Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers, will be released by Princeton University Press in August, 2025. Find out more about Laura and what she does at ManuscriptWorks.com.