Developmental editorial report template
A strong editorial report gives the author a hierarchy, not a transcript of every observation. Adapt this structure to the contracted edit and the manuscript’s needs.
Lead with the revision hierarchy
Start with the few changes that affect the most downstream work. Scene-level and sentence-level notes are harder to use when the story’s central structure or character logic is still moving.
Copy and adapt the template
Replace bracketed or generic language with the facts of the engagement. Templates do not replace professional or legal advice.
Engagement and manuscript
State what was reviewed and what was outside scope.
- Manuscript title and version
- Edit type and agreed scope
- Word count and materials reviewed
- Limitations and exclusions
Executive assessment
Give the author a usable overview.
- What the manuscript is trying to achieve
- What is already working
- Three highest-priority revision goals
- Recommended revision order
Story and structure
Connect observations to reader experience.
- Premise and central conflict
- Act or sequence progression
- Scene purpose and escalation
- Climax and resolution
Character and point of view
Distinguish arc, motivation, knowledge, and voice.
- Protagonist goal and agency
- Character arcs and relationships
- Point-of-view control
- Knowledge and revelation timing
Pacing, continuity, and world
Use cited examples for specific questions.
- Pacing pressure points
- Continuity findings with both passage locations
- Timeline and world-rule questions
- Patterns to watch during revision
Revision plan and queries
End with action and conversation.
- Revision sequence
- Questions requiring author intent
- Suggested checkpoints
- Materials returned with this report
Continue the editor workflow
Ground report questions in the manuscript
Use Novilot to locate possible evidence, then write the interpretation and revision priorities yourself.
Run a free manuscript preflight