No doubt you’re passionate about the book you’re writing, and you want it to be great. But there’s only so far you can develop it on your own. You may be:
Pretty confident that the book is 90 per cent there, but unsure how to tighten it further
Aware of issues in the book, but are struggling to fix them
Worried that you may be missing things – what if there’s a plot hole?
Feeling tangled or overwhelmed, like you can’t see the wood for the trees
Developmental editing helps you with all of this, and more. With a developmental editor on board, you have guidance, support and fresh ideas to help you shape up your book.
Developmental editing (also known as structural, substantive or content editing) considers, in detail, the big picture of your book – aspects like structure, plot/content and tone. It’s the Big Edit that weeds out issues large and small and transforms your manuscript into a well-crafted book.
As writers, we’re very attached to our books, and the thought of someone editing so intensively can be daunting. Don’t worry! My developmental editing service is bespoke, tailored to your needs. I edit in a way that feels comfortable to you, whether that’s Dive in, Charlie, and leave no stone unturned or Could you just gently guide me to develop the book myself?
However I edit, I give you the full benefit of my experience and learning (I was trained in developmental editing by a publisher). The result is a book that doesn’t just live up to your initial vision but surpasses it.
Charlie’s editorial services are first rate. Honest and helpful. Always logical. Always constructive. If you’re a writer and you’re looking for an unbiased appraisal of your work, look no further.
– Neil Spring, Author (Quercus)
The role of the developmental editor in the publishing process
Developmental editing comes early on in the editorial process. Sometimes the author has a manuscript assessment first, and the feedback from this overarching review informs some revisions. Then it’s time for the developmental editor to shore up the foundations and building blocks of the book. Once the content is finalised, the book is ready for copy editing, to tidy and polish the writing, followed by proofreading for the final quality check.
How I carry out a developmental edit
When I develop a book, I start by reading it in full, to get a feel for the big picture, and then I go back and review the manuscript in detail. In my developmental edit, I examine the following:
Fiction
Plot
Does it make sense? Are there holes or inconsistencies? Are any threads left dangling? Is the story compelling and believable? Does the author successfully create dramatic tension and intrigue?
Backdrop
Is everything surrounding the characters believable and appropriate for the story – setting/era, story world, culture? Is the backdrop overpowering the story (too much detail), or somewhat vague and lacking?
Characterisation
Are characters believable? Do they have (just enough) backstory? Are character arcs well developed? Is the cast of characters too big or small?
Structure and length
Is the book too long or short? Does the beginning hook the reader’s interest, and does the story build to a climax and then end with impact? Are chapter lengths sensible, and do they balance overall? Does each chapter work as a cohesive whole? Are time shifts and point-of-view shifts handled well?
Pace
Does the pace drag in places? Does it gallop too quickly at times? Is the overarching rhythm of the book effective?
Writing style
Are the voice and tone engaging and consistent? Does the choice of narrative tense work well? Is dialogue natural and used to show rather than tell? Does the writing flow well, line by line, with smooth transitions? Is there a tendency to be formal, poetic, wordy or long-winded (overwriting)?
Inclusivity
Could the writing potentially offend, discriminate against or exclude a reader?
Non-fiction
Content
Is the selection of content appropriate and effective? Are there any omissions? Is content adequately explained, argued and/or referenced? Does the author need to undertake further research?
Structure and length
Is the book too long (drawn-out/too much content) or short (lacking depth)? Are chapters of manageable and broadly even lengths? Is content organised in a sensible and logical way? Are sections used effectively? Are topics repeated across chapters? Can the reader easily navigate through the book?
Writing style
Is the author voice suitable for the genre and the purpose of the book? Is the tone even and appropriate? Is the writing too formal, bossy or academic? Is there a clear logical flow in the writing, and can the reader easily follow the meaning? Does the author come across well to the reader, and suitably expert in the subject?
Inclusivity
Could the writing potentially offend, discriminate against or exclude a reader? Is the book accessible by all target readers?
My developmental edit gives the author a lot of editorial input to work through:
Revisions: Throughout the manuscript, I mark up the text with revisions. For example, I may format a sentence with strikethrough to suggest you delete it, and I may move a paragraph down the page to improve logical progression. The author can see all my revisions through the Track Changes feature of Microsoft Word and is free to accept or reject them as preferred.
Queries: The edited manuscript is annotated with comments. I explain why I’ve made significant changes, and I ask the author to consider specific queries. I raise overarching queries relating to the big picture of the book in a separate notes file.
Remember: how I edit the manuscript depends on your preference. I can lean towards suggesting changes in my edit, or I can go ahead and make changes myself. If you want me to go deep, I go deep. If you want a light hand, I delicately tweak.
Sometimes developmental editing can creep into the realm of ghostwriting, and that’s fine with me. Over the years I’ve done a lot of writing/rewriting for authors. If you really just want to hand over the manuscript and have me work my magic, we can discuss that.
I always enjoy working with Charlie because I can count on her considered and incisive editing skills to improve whatever I send her way. Independent yet collaborative, reliable and dedicated, Charlie is an editor of the highest calibre.
– Rachael Chilvers, Special Projects Coordinator (For Dummies), John Wiley & Sons
Developmental editing FAQs
How much does developmental editing cost?
My rate for developmental editing starts at £12.50 for suggestions-based editing (guiding you to develop the book) and £22.50 for hands-on editing (developing the book myself).
How long does a developmental edit take?
This depends on the length of the book, the level of work required and my current availability. Turnaround can range from six to eight weeks.
How can I prepare for a developmental edit?
Have a think about how you want me to edit. Do you want me to guide you in developing the manuscript yourself, or do you want me to roll my sleeves up and edit intensively? There’s no right or wrong answer; what matters is that I edit in the way that best suits you.
If there are any areas you’d particularly like me to consider in my edit, let me know. Before I begin editing I want to understand your vision for the book and what support you feel you need.
What comes next?
After developmental editing comes copy-editing, to prepare the book for publication. Occasionally, an author asks me to perform a ‘Full Monty’ developmental edit – a very intensive hands-on edit that leans into ghostwriting – and when I develop at that level I naturally copy-edit as well. Usually, though, authors need a copy-edit to tidy the writing after the developmental edit.
If you’d like to discuss developmental editing, please get in touch.
