What to Expect During a Developmental Edit
You’ve finished your manuscript, and now you’re ready to start revising and moving toward your ultimate publishing goal. Hooray!
But you’re really not sure what to expect or how the process goes. How does a developmental edit work, anyway?
The authors I edit for always want to know what to expect (rightfully so!), so I decided to put together a quick Q&A post that answers some of the most common questions I get.
When should I get a developmental edit and how do I know I’m ready?
The developmental edit is usually the very first type of edit you need when embarking on your writing journey. I look at the manuscript from a macro level, evaluating each of the different story or narrative elements. For fiction, I consider how to make the story more immersive. For nonfiction, I ensure the information flows logically and stays engaging.
Because the developmental edit is intended to evaluate the project as a whole, I usually prefer to work with authors after they have finished their manuscript and have reviewed it themselves at least once. It’s amazing how much rewriting and revising you can do if you give yourself a little vacation and then go back to look at it with fresh eyes!
Sometimes authors do want or need more support in building out their initial concept and completing their first draft. If this is the case, some developmental editors (also known as book coaches) will work with authors through the entire writing process—giving feedback on a few chapters at a time.
I tend to prefer the “finish your draft first and then revise” approach, not only because I want writers to get the entire project out of their heads and on paper before someone else influences it, but because I frequently see writers get caught in an endless revision loop and they never finish. Or worse, they quit writing altogether after getting feedback.
How do I find the right developmental editor for my book?
A lot of the usual recommendations for finding an editor apply here: Look for someone with the right skill set, appropriate training, and familiarity with your subject matter and/or genre.
In my opinion, one often-overlooked element is compatible working styles. Are you someone who likes to check in over the phone or a virtual meeting, or would you prefer to never talk at all and rely on emails?
Some editors are happy to do short discovery calls before starting a project and will happily talk on the phone or have meetings mid-project. Others prefer to rely on emails and questionnaires to get the information they need. There’s no right or wrong answer here because everyone has different working styles and comfort levels, but thinking about what you need to make this a successful working relationship for you will help you select the right editor.
Do you offer developmental sample edits?
Editors often do a sample edit as a way to evaluate the state of the writing and how long it will take to do the full edit. But this method works much better for line or copy editing because they are concrete and focused on sentences.
Developmental suggestions are more conceptual and are made with the context of the entire manuscript. In my sample edits, I evaluate a few chapters and respond with some general notes about the things I notice and what I might suggest for changes, but I always add the caveat that after reading the entire book, my opinion might change. I also talk with the author about their story, goals, and working style.
Why is a developmental edit beneficial?
Have you ever read a book where you got to the middle and had to force yourself to push through it? Or one of the characters changed their personality halfway through without any discernible reason? Or perhaps the events of the book just seemed “off” for some reason, and you couldn’t quite put your finger on why.
Each of these issues could have been identified during a developmental edit.
The developmental edit evaluates the structure and elements of a manuscript to see what is working well and what is not. With that feedback, an author can revise their story to eliminate things like sagging middles, inconsistent characters, jumpy timelines, and unbelievable plot elements. The whole point is to make your book an engaging journey for your readers from the beginning to end and keep them coming back for more!
How do you give feedback during a developmental edit?
I use comments and tracked changes in the manuscript and a separate editorial letter to give you in-depth feedback and an analysis of your manuscript. In the letter, I point out specific instances where things are working, where they might be further developed, make small editorial suggestions, and summarize what I see overall.
My editorial letters run anywhere from 10 to 30 pages and cover each relevant element of your manuscript. Once an author has had a chance to absorb everything in the letter, I also offer a follow-up virtual meeting to answer questions and act as a sounding board for the author to explore solutions for sticky spots.
How long does a developmental edit take and how much does it cost?
Every project is different, so the best way to get a specific answer is to reach out for a quote! But generally speaking, once I start a developmental edit project, it takes about three to six weeks.
I normally quote for and schedule just one round of developmental editing at a time. (A “round” means the manuscript comes to me, I complete the editing, and then send it back to you for review. Some types of editing projects are best done with multiple rounds.) Because developmental edits can result in substantial revisions, I prefer not to hold authors to a strict timeline. I am always happy to do a second evaluation and either move on into the next stage of line/copy editing, or do another round of developmental edits if necessary.
The cost and overall timeline can vary quite a bit depending on the length and complexity of the project. My rates are in line with the Editorial Freelancers Association’s posted averages.
Are you ready to get your project edited? I’d love to chat with you about your vision and needs.