Developmental & Line Editor for Fiction Novel

I am seeking an experienced developmental and line editor to help revise and strengthen my 59K-word fiction manuscript for submission to the traditional publishing market. The manuscript has received an encouraging Revise & Resubmit (R&R) from a literary professional. The central premise and commercial potential were viewed positively, but specific structural revisions have been requested before moving forward. I am looking for an editor who can diagnose the underlying issues and help me address them while preserving my voice, tone, characters, and overall vision for the novel. Primary Revision Goals The editorial feedback identifies several areas requiring attention: • Opening chapters: Strengthen the opening hook and establish stronger narrative momentum immediately. • Pacing: Identify sections in the middle of the manuscript where urgency or forward momentum weakens and recommend/implement effective solutions. • Supporting characters: Give secondary characters greater depth, purpose, and relevance to the overall story. • Dialogue: Refine dialogue so individual characters have distinctive, natural voices. • Prose: Tighten repetitive language, unnecessary exposition, and passages that slow the narrative. • Query letter: Review and refine the query letter so it presents the novel professionally without sounding overly promotional. I am not looking for someone to simply proofread the manuscript or make surface-level grammar corrections. The primary need is thoughtful developmental editing, followed by appropriate line-level refinement. What I'm Looking For The ideal editor will have: • Demonstrated experience with developmental editing of fiction • Experience working with novels in the psychological suspense/crime/thriller / gritty realism space • Familiarity with manuscripts being prepared for traditional publishing • An understanding of the agent submission and R&R process • Excellent command of story structure, pacing, character development, dialogue, and prose • Strong communication skills and a collaborative editing style • Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Track Changes Most importantly, I want an editor who can explain why something isn't working and propose solutions rather than simply rewriting passages according to personal preference. Please Address These Questions in Your Proposal To help me identify the right editor, please answer the following: 1. What fiction genres do you specialize in? 2. How many novels of approximately 50,000–70,000 words have you provided developmental editing for? 3. How would you approach diagnosing pacing problems in the middle of a novel? 4. How do you distinguish a character-development problem from a structural or plotting problem? 5. What does your typical developmental-editing deliverable include? 6. Please provide 1–2 relevant examples of your previous editing work, preferably in fiction. You may redact client information if necessary. 7. Please provide your Upwork profile and/or relevant professional credentials. Please begin your proposal with the words: "Revise & Resubmit" so I know you've read the entire posting. Proposed Process I am open to beginning with a small paid editorial assessment/sample before committing to the full manuscript. For example, I would be interested in an initial assessment of a portion of the manuscript that demonstrates how you identify and approach the issues described above. If the initial work is a good fit, I would then consider moving forward with the larger project. Please indicate whether you are comfortable with this approach. Project Details • Length: 59,371 words • Genre: Fiction / Psychological Suspense / Crime / Gritty Realism • Primary services: Developmental editing + line editing • Additional service: Query-letter review • Software: Microsoft Word / Track Changes • Budget: Please provide your fixed-price quote for the full project, as well as your proposed price for an initial paid assessment/sample. I am comparing several qualified editors and will select the editor based on experience, quality of analysis, communication, relevant samples, and overall fit—not simply the lowest price. Thank you, and I look forward to reviewing your proposal.