Once you’ve written your story, you may be wondering what’s next? How do you take your book from a rough draft to a polished, well-structured and engaging piece of writing? The answer is: a development edit.

In this blog, we’ll cover exactly what to expect from a developmental edit. Including, how it differs from other editing, when to get a developmental edit and who will benefit most from it.

What is developmental editing?

A developmental edit focuses on the “big picture”. An editor will read through your story and provide feedback. They’ll outline the strengths and weaknesses in the manuscript and suggest improvements on things like:

• Story structure
• Character development
• Plot 
• Pacing
• Theme
• Tone

It’s important to note that your editor won’t change your work, they’ll leave comments directly in the margins of the manuscript. These comments give specific examples of what to focus on when revising your story.

Who benefits from a developmental edit?

A developmental edit might be a great option for you if:

• You’re a first-time author
• You’re writing in a new genre
• You’re experimenting with more complex story structure or point of view
• You want your story to stand out

Anyone who wants to professionally publish their book can benefit from a developmental edit. This includes both self-published and traditionally published authors. 

The main benefit of developmental editing is perspective. It can be difficult as a writer to step back from your work and assess it. When you are so close to what’s written, it’s inevitable that you’ll miss things.

 Working with a professional editor can provide insight and peace of mind that the book you’re publishing is the best it can be.

What is the difference between copy editing and developmental editing?

Copy editing and developmental editing are two distinct stages in the editing process, here’s how they differ:

1) Focus:

Developmental editing mainly focuses on the big-picture aspects of a manuscript, such as its overall structure, content and organisation.

Whereas, copy editing focuses on the finer details of a manuscript including language, style, and consistency.

2) Timing:

Developmental editing typically happens early on in the writing process before the manuscript is fully polished.

Copy editing takes place after developmental editing and is performed on a more polished version of the manuscript.

3) Goals:

The main goal of developmental editing is to shape the manuscript, to help it reach its full potential.

On the other hand, the focus of copy editing is improving the language and readability of the existing content.

4) Content: 

Developmental editors may help authors brainstorm ideas, fill gaps in the narrative or argument and refine the content.

Copy editors don’t typically make significant changes to the content, structure or organisation of the manuscript.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your project will depend on several factors including word count, complexity, deadline and the goal of your book.

When working with an editor, it’s worth noting that you’re also paying for their:

• Qualifications
• Experience
• Time (not only on editing but also running a business)
  

How long does it take?

How long it takes to edit a book depends on several factors such as:

• Book length: a book with a higher word count will take longer to edit.
• Type of editing: a developmental edit is more hands-on and therefore, time intensive than copy editing or proofreading.
• Availability: the number of hours an editor works per week or the projects they have on the go can impact turnaround time.

Like most editors, I generally have a waitlist for larger editing projects so it pays to get in touch with me well ahead of time!

I often hear from my clients that the editing process was so much easier than they were expecting it to be. Perhaps because they were anticipating me tearing their book to shreds and asking them to start over!

If you've never worked with an editor before, let me reassure you...it's nothing like that!

Please know that I'm here to help you, not destroy you. When we work together, I look at your writing objectively and provide suggestions to improve it. I come alongside you as a fresh set of eyes to help make your work as good as it can be.

I hope that I can be a gentle guide that supports you throughout the entire process.

"The ultimate goal of developmental editing is to help authors transform their initial draft into a polished, well-structured, and engaging piece of writing that effectively communicates its intended message or story to its target audience. "

Are you ready to work with a developmental editor?

Hi, I’m Leanne. My mission with Red Pencil is to help authors make every word count. Together we’ll make your writing clear, concise and captivating.

I’m excited to share that I've recently finished my developmental editing training! This was a self-paced course I took to upskill in developmental editing for nonfiction (but the content applies to fiction as well).

I'm looking forward to offering developmental editing alongside manuscript assessments. Together we will shape your manuscript, help it reach its full potential and ensure that it is engaging, coherent and effective

If you'd like to know more about this service and see if it's a good fit for you, get in touch today.