What Is Developmental Editing Anyway?
I had published my book before I had heard of developmental editing. One day on Facebook, a colleague posted looking for a developmental editor, someone who could help her hone her argument and sharpen her writing. “WHAT!?!?” I thought. “That exists?” Then I felt very sad that my book was already out. That was also the day I started thinking about becoming a developmental editor myself.
Developmental editors focus on big picture issues in manuscripts. For academic manuscripts, this includes things like argument, critical analysis, use of sources, voice, structure, and organization. They read with an eye to improving the text as a whole and making it the best it can possibly be. They can also help you to revise your work so that it appeals to a broader audience or to figure out how to incorporate suggested revisions from reviewers.
Developmental editors work with all kinds of writers, with many specializing in a particular genre (science fiction, romance, etc.). Sometimes they are hired by publishers, but often they work directly with authors. Academic developmental editors (what I am) often focus on particular disciplines or areas and are frequently hired by authors themselves. When you’re looking for an editor, it’s smart to find someone who has experience and expertise in your academic area.
What a developmental editor’s work looks like depends on the client’s needs. They can help at any stage in the process, whether from brainstorming initial book ideas to helping to polish the final manuscript. Often developmental editors do full manuscript reviews, meaning that they read your manuscript and provide detailed feedback on the book as a whole. Some developmental editors can also get into the manuscript itself, going line by line and making suggestions using comments and track changes (this kind of editing is sometimes known as substantive editing or line editing). This could include reordering parts of the manuscript, suggesting new openings to chapters, or helping to craft transitions. Note that developmental editors are not copy editors. They might point out recurring grammatical issues, but they won’t be fixing all of your grammatical mistakes (watch for a future blog on the different types of editing).
Developmental editors can also help with shorter pieces, like journal articles, book chapters, and book proposals. Sometimes they help with job search materials or grant applications. They also help scholars who are revising dissertations into books.
Feedback from developmental editors generally comes in the form of an editorial letter (think reader reviews, but with much more detail and concrete suggestions for improvement). These letters summarize the book and its contributions, think through the argument, identify structural and stylistic issues, and make suggestions for improvement. The letter might be accompanied by some marginal comments in the manuscript itself to help highlight necessary revisions. More detailed line edits would also involve track changes in Word. Some clients also like to meet with their editor via Zoom or telephone after receiving feedback to talk through potential changes and approaches to revision.
When deciding what kind of editing you need, it’s important to have an open, honest conversation with your editor. The editor will likely ask you to talk about your manuscript as well as particular anxieties and challenges you might be facing. This will help the two of you determine what level of editing would be best for you. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about how your editor works to help you decide if they seem like a good match.
Most editors can help tailor their editing to your budget. For example, if your budget is limited, they might be able to do a full manuscript review, but without time consuming line edits. Or if tenure decisions are looming and you have some institutional funding that can support editing, they might be able to do a full developmental edit, followed by a line edit after you make initial manuscript revisions. Even if you are on a very tight budget, an editor could help you to improve a chapter that you feel needs significant work.
Editors charge in a variety of ways, including by the hour, number of words, or the project. There are benefits to each of these methods, but be sure you get a sense of the total cost before committing to anything. Editors who charge by the word or hour should be able to give you a sense of what the total cost of the project would be.
Good developmental editing is not cheap, but it can be a smart investment. A good editor can help you make your work appeal to a broader audience, can sharpen your arguments, and can make it easier to create the book you’ve always wanted. Writing can be hard and having a good editor means that you don’t have to do it alone. Engaging a developmental editor helps you get your manuscript closer to what you want it to be.
Do you feel ready to look further into developmental editing? Read about how to find and hire a developmental editor here.
