Your submission will first be reviewed by Martin J.P. Devaney, author of The Art of Writing a Novel – The XYZ Method. If he is unavailable, or if your work would benefit from the perspective of another specialist, it will be passed to a trusted published author or professional editor. We take care to match each submission with the right reviewer, and you will always be told exactly who is reading your work.

This is an important question. Every submission is read and assessed by a human. AI is never used to judge the quality of your writing, because a strong opening line or piece of dialogue can break the “rules” yet still be brilliant.

That said, like all writers, we use modern tools—spellcheckers, grammar checkers, and occasionally AI—to help with formatting or preparing feedback. But the appraisal itself is always rooted in human editorial judgement.

You can request a specific person but there is no guarantee they are available. You will be notified if your editor is available for your submission

In a sense, yes. The Chapter Clinic exists because Martin loves helping writers and knows how much a strong start can change a book’s future. But writing and publishing remain his primary focus—this service is an additional way to support the writing community.

Absolutely. Your chapter and query letter are treated with strict confidentiality and will never be shared beyond the reviewer. All digital copies are deleted once feedback has been delivered.

We aim to have feedback on a submission within 21 days. If there are delays, you will be notified ASAP.

• A query letter (no longer than 400 words- pitched as if were intended for an agent or publisher) sent to editor@martinjpdevaney.com.

• Your first chapter, sent as an attachment must contain a maximum of 2500 words. If the first chapter is very short then additional chapters can be considered that together reach this word count. The chapter should be in a common editable format such as Word, Pages or LibreOffice (no PDFS).

• The fee payable via Paypal, only IF the submission is accepted.

Editing is the process of refining a writer’s work to bring it to a professional standard. There are different types of editing, and not every writer will require all of them. If you are submitting to a traditional publisher, keep in mind that your manuscript will also undergo their in-house editing process. Broadly speaking, the stages of editing are:

1. Query Letter / First Chapter Appraisal

This service evaluates your query letter and opening chapter, offering clear suggestions for improvement. It is especially valuable when submitting to agents or traditional publishers, as a polished opening helps your work stand out. Feedback on the first chapter can also guide you in improving the rest of your manuscript, allowing you to apply the lessons learned to other chapters.

2. Developmental Editing

Developmental editing looks at the manuscript as a whole, focusing on the big picture. The editor examines story structure, character development, pacing, and overall coherence. Common suggestions may include:

• Strengthening or reshaping story arcs

• Developing or merging characters

• Reordering or restructuring chapters for better pacing

• Exploring alternative plot directions or endings

• Cutting content that feels repetitive or unnecessary

This stage is typically undertaken before line editing, as major changes to the manuscript can render a line-by-line edit premature.

3. Line Editing

Line editing focuses on the sentence and paragraph level. The editor works through the text line by line to:

• Refine word choice and phrasing

• Improve flow, tone, and readability

• Eliminate awkward or unclear sentences

• Ensure consistency of style and voice

It is usually carried out after developmental editing, once the overall structure and content have been finalized.

4. Copyediting

Copyediting focuses on technical accuracy and consistency. Sometimes line editing and copyediting are combined, but copyediting specifically addresses:

• Grammar, punctuation, and spelling

• Consistency in names, timelines, and terminology

• Clarity and factual accuracy

• Alignment with relevant style guides or house style

5. Proofreading

Proofreading is the final stage before publication. The proofreader checks the typeset or final manuscript to catch:

• Typographical errors

• Formatting issues

• Incorrect page references, headers, or numbering

• Any last-minute mistakes that may have slipped through earlier stages

No. The aim of the appraisal is to strengthen your opening chapter so it is more appealing to agents or publishers, not to prepare it for print. In practical terms, a strong first chapter acts as the engine that drives the novel. However, because books are rewritten and refined, the opening chapter often needs to be revisited later for consistency and to reflect plot developments.

For example, you may need to add an early reference to a character’s allergy in Chapter One if it explains an anaphylactic shock in Chapter Six. This kind of structural adjustment is best addressed when the full manuscript is appraised.

If your novel is already complete and your focus is on polish, then the next step is not appraisal but a detailed line edit and proofreading service, which deals with typos, clarity, and consistency.

Yes, the editors here offer a full manuscript appraisal service. Some provide line-by-line edits, while others specialise in developmental editing, helping to elevate your manuscript to a professional standard.

That said, working with an editor is a significant commitment. You are entrusting them with your “baby,” and their goal is to help it reach its full potential in the world. However, not every editor is the right fit for every author. Some may have a deep passion for your genre, while others may not. Others, may simply be unavailable.

For this reason, we recommend starting with a first-chapter appraisal. If you are happy with their approach and feedback, you can then commission further work. The cost of the initial appraisal will be deducted from the final fee.

Pricing and Value

We believe in open and transparent pricing. However, it’s not possible to provide an exact figure without first reviewing your manuscript. The final cost depends on three key factors:

• Word count of your manuscript

• Scope of edits required

• Level of editorial expertise involved

How Pricing Works

A novel that is already well-structured and close to completion—particularly one aimed at impressing publishers or agents—will generally cost less to edit than a manuscript that requires substantial rewriting, restructuring, or detailed line-by-line attention.

Line editing is especially time-intensive, as every sentence must be carefully reviewed for clarity, flow, and impact. This level of work is often essential for authors who want their manuscript to reach a truly publish-ready standard.

For context, editing a typical 80,000-word novel might range from €1,500–€5,000, depending on the manuscript’s condition and the depth of editing required.

Your Goals

The goal of editing may be to:

• Create a strong submission package for a publisher or agent, or

• Prepare a polished, publish-ready manuscript for self-publication.

Clear Estimates Before You Begin

Before any editing begins, we will provide you with a clear, tailored estimate so you know exactly what to expect. Our pricing reflects the time and expertise involved, and ensures your manuscript receives the high standard of care it deserves