Sunshine and Lollipops

Happy Productivity Season!

Spring has finally arrived—at least, I think it has. The sun is shining and the snow has melted, though where I’m from, we don’t hold our breath until after the May long weekend. But with the warm weather comes that familiar jolt of seasonal motivation. Every year around this time, I feel the urge to do all the things: write all the books, eat better, and spend as much time outside as humanly possible. This year is no different.

That said, while 2025 seems to be flying by, my updates have been a little quieter than usual. I’m currently in a bit of a holding pattern, waiting on news from editors for the books I have out on submission. In the meantime, I’m deep in revisions on a new revenge-driven Romantasy—one I hope to send out soon. My agent and I are in the thick of the developmental editing stage, which means big picture changes: plot, structure, character arcs... the works.

Lately, I’ve had a few fellow writers ask me about the difference between beta reading and developmental editing—two services that often come up around this stage of the process. While they might seem similar on the surface, they’re actually quite different, and knowing which one you need (and when) can make a huge difference to your writing journey.

A developmental edit (also called a content or structural edit) is a deep-dive editorial service that looks at your manuscript’s foundation. Think of it like a structural engineer inspecting a house—before you worry about paint colors, we make sure the frame is solid.

A developmental edit will examine:

• Plot structure and pacing

• Character arcs and motivation

• Worldbuilding and setting cohesion

• Thematic development and tone consistency

• Gaps, plot holes, or confusing elements

With developmental edits, you’ll typically get a multi-page edit letter from your agent/editor detailing what’s working and what needs revision, and possibly in-manuscript comments for real-time context and suggestions.

Developmental editing is best for writers in the early to mid-stages of revision who know their story needs work but aren’t sure where or how to fix it. It’s ideal if you’ve finished your first or second draft and want professional guidance on the “big picture.”

A beta read is more like a test screening. It mimics the experience of a reader picking up your book and giving honest, constructive feedback on how it lands.

A beta read will focus on:

• Reader engagement

• Pacing and flow

• Character likeability and believability

• Dialogue authenticity

• Emotional and narrative payoff

• General “I liked this” vs. “This confused me” reactions

You’ll often receive a detailed beta reader report and possibly inline comments that show how a reader is responding as they read.

Beta reading is ideal for writers with a more polished draft—those who’ve already revised and are preparing to query, self-publish, or do final tweaks. You’re not looking for major rewrites; you want to know if the story is resonating.

So, how do you find the right person for the job? If you’re looking for a beta reader, start by reaching out to fellow writers, especially those within your genre, for a potential swap. Just make sure it’s a two-way street and not a one-sided favor. You can also look into paid services through sites like Fiverr. For developmental editors, Fiverr, Reedsy, or referrals from fellow writers are great options. Always check testimonials or ask for a sample edit first—this gives you a sense of their style and whether it's a good fit for your story (and your sanity).

I received an e-arc for Red City by Marie Lu and am about halfway done and LOVE it. This is Marie Lu’s first jump into adult fiction, and I am here for it. The story structure is fantastic and I love both mains, Ari and Sam! I can’t wait to see what happens.

In my continued journey to read every book by Danielle L. Jensen, I am satisfying my obsession with her newest book in the Bridge Kingdom series, The Twisted Throne. I’m only a little ways in, but this is a world I love and characters I know I will devour. I may need to pace myself so I don’t have an inevitable crash when it’s done, and I need to wait a year for the final book! (But will I pace myself?? Not likely)

That’s all for now—short and sweet. I’ll keep you posted as things develop on the submission front, and I’m excited to share more about the Romantasy project once it’s ready to face the world.

If you’re in the thick of revisions or just beginning a new draft, I hope this helped make the process feel a little less overwhelming. Writing can feel like a solo adventure sometimes, but just know you’re not alone in it.

Until next time,

~AJ Eversley