#RevPit 2025 News!
Time to start getting ready for the annual #RevPit contest!
Hey Story Crafters,
I had a family situation come up recently that I needed to take time for, away from editing and this newsletter. Everything is good now, and I’m excited to get back into the swing of things. 😊
One of those things is the upcoming #RevPit annual contest! In case you missed the announcement, RevPit will be held on Bluesky this year, so you’ll need to create a Bluesky account if you haven’t already.
To stay up to date with #RevPit news, here are some links you should follow:
⭐️ RevPit Bluesky Profile: https://bsky.app/profile/reviseresub.bsky.social
⭐️ RevPit Editor Starter Pack on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/starter-pack/jenichappelle.bsky.social/3lao6x3utpr2y
⭐️ Watch #RevPit or pin the RevPit feed: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vxxmae6p5dpnxwcpzcb64gbi/feed/aaabv6dc4ot5a
⭐️ Subscribe to the RevPit Substack:
For those unfamiliar with the annual RevPit contest, authors with a completed fiction manuscript can submit their MS for a chance to receive developmental edits from professional editors in preparation for querying agents. While #RevPit 2025 doesn’t start until the submission window opens on March 13, there are events leading up to it where you can learn more about the #RevPit editors and see how we give feedback in the #10Queries mini-events. You’ll also be able to connect with other authors preparing to query agents! Come check us out at the Bluesky links above.
Last year I had an amazing time working with the wonderful Jacqui Culler! She was kind enough to share her thoughts about her experience working with me in this Q&A post. I’m really excited to be a #RevPit editor again this year!
And, if you’re wondering what a developmental edit editorial package looks like from me, this post covers some editing insights into my process.
If you aren’t sure if your manuscript needs developmental editing…
How do I know I’m looking for developmental editing services?
When you’re looking into a developmental editing service, the type of feedback you’re interested in includes:
Big picture edits – You’re confident in your storyline up to a certain point, and you need another set of eyes to help you confirm where the strengths and areas in need of improvement are. If there are areas that can be improved, you’re interested in receiving feedback and suggestions on how to move forward to strengthen your story.
Elements of writing – You’re confident in some areas of writing, and not as confident in others. For example, you know you’re on point with capturing your characters’ dialogue, but you aren’t sure if their development (as an individual character, or their relationships with other characters) is progressing as it should. No matter the case, you’re again interested in receiving feedback on what is and isn’t working effectively, and in receiving suggestions on how to strengthen your story.
Consistency – This may overlap with the previous sections, but in general, you’re interested in another set of eyes tracking specific details in your story. This could mean tracking time (as in, the progression of or counting down time to a deadline), tracking character development, tracking movement in a given space, etc.
Note: This differs from a copyedit in the sense that these details are important factors of the plot. In other words, if these details need to be adjusted, the entire storyline might need to be reworked. Tracking consistency in a copyedit is more along the lines of, it was nighttime at the beginning of the scene and somehow noon by the end without a clear transition, or a character’s appearance changing drastically from first appearance and the middle of the story without explanation.
If you don’t think your manuscript will be ready in time for #RevPit 2025 or you aren’t planning to participate but you know you’ll need developmental services, please get in touch! I’m open to working with all fiction authors, though I specialize in fantasy, dark fantasy, science fiction, and horror. If the author-editor fit is good, we can book a block of time for your developmental edit in advance so we can get started as soon as you finish your manuscript.
I look forward to seeing some of you at the #RevPit mini-events, and reading some of your work during the actual contest!
Until next time!
Best,
Leah