What is a Developmental Edit?

UPDATED 12/20/21

A developmental edit is probably best understood at the basic level by thinking about the word developmental. The manuscript begins to develop from its current state toward the final work you want it to be. In Scott Norton's book Developmental Editing: A Handbook for Freelancers, Authors, and Publishers, he personally defines developmental editing:

"...significant structuring or restructuring of a manuscript's discourse."

Norton discusses what I've already mentioned in my previous blog post on manuscript assessments, that even in the industry, opinions vary as to what significant means. At the University of California Press in Berkeley where he worked, a developmental edit was considered:

"...intervention that moves content from one chapter to another, or rearranges the lion's share of a chapter's contents within itself but that falls short of writing new material."

During a developmental edit, I make certain I have a firm grasp on two big-picture questions:

• What is the purpose of the book? Don't lose sight of why this manuscript has been written.

• Who is its intended audience? The author and the DE must keep at least one person in mind at all times who is the ideal reader.

My duties as a developmental editor can be wide-ranging, depending on the levels of experience and confidence of the author. But these are my primary responsibilities:

Suggesting a format that best communicates the thesis (message).

• Restructuring the text to fit the chosen format, which can include adding or deleting material to make the text flow.

• Ensuring consistent structure.

• Identifying gaps in the material (in fiction, this can include plot gaps and problematic characterization).

• Deleting text that does not achieve the agreed upon objective of the book or speak to the target audience.

Illustrations, diagrams, photos, and the like are taken into consideration during this phase, as well. If beta readers have been used, I will review their feedback and work with the author to decide how to incorporate suggestions into the material.

In addition to working as a nonfiction and creative nonfiction editor and writing coach, I am co-author, with Dr. Terri Lyon, of the book Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism: No activism degree required—use your unique skills to change the world. Visit my website page Make a Difference and Dr. Lyon’s activism website Life At The Intersection to learn more about Make a Difference, including how to place bulk orders.

What is a Manuscript Assessment?

If you are a veteran writer, you probably know which level of editing your manuscript needs before you reach out to an editor. But if you are struggling with the difference between a manuscript assessment and a developmental edit, or a line edit and a copyedit, you are not alone. I'll come clean -- in writing those descriptions on my SERVICES page, I did some research (I love research). I wanted to make certain I described my services using my industry’s consensus as to what those services entail. The first five websites I went to for the definitions of the different levels of editing provided five slightly different definitions. In fact, the more I researched, the more confused I became.

Ultimately, I defined my services in accordance with editorial services descriptions from the website of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), of which I am a member. Through this blog, I would like to go into greater detail about each of these services. Let’s start at the very beginning….

Manuscript assessment. Manuscript critique. Manuscript evaluation. These terms are often used interchangeably. But there are subtle differences.

To my mind, critiques are usually the purview of community writing groups. Small gatherings of men and women who love to write, and are typically hoping to be published, read and critique each other’s work on a weekly or monthly basis. A good writing group, where everyone shares similar hopes and are at similar skill levels, can be fun, informative, and genuinely helpful.

An evaluation is typically done at no charge by your mother or your best friend who, of course, will love your work and recommend you don’t change a word. But seriously, the best way to get free evaluations of the quality of your work is to use beta readers. Be picky when choosing your beta readers, though; the quality of the feedback is directly proportional to the objectivity of the reader.

I offer manuscript assessments. With an assessment, you will get a report detailing your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses. I will comment on the appropriateness of the style, tone, pace, voice, structure, organization, consistency, and thoroughness of the work. The areas of assessment will vary depending upon the category and genre of the work. No line editing or revisions are done at this point. When asking for an assessment, take time to tell me what areas of the manuscript you are concerned about and where you would most like me to focus my attention. You can ask for an assessment of just one or two particular aspects of the work, if that’s all you need at that time.

The main difference between a manuscript assessment and a developmental edit is primarily in what I supply to you. I will explain that further in my next post.

In addition to my business Strike The Write Tone, I am a contract editor, writing coach, and ghostwriter for The Cheerful Word of Hendersonville, NC.

Editor & Writer, A Collaboration

UPDATED 12/28/2021

A good editor must learn the author's vision, see the strengths of the work, and sort out its weaknesses. Without question, some editors are super-critical. But in truth, some authors are super-sensitive.

As your editor, I will offer honest feedback and constructive advice. In the manuscript assessment and developmental edit, those are crucial editorial responsibilities. You, the author, might not always like what I'm suggesting. We will disagree at times, I guarantee it. Professional disagreements are a good thing.

I am not your enemy. I gain nothing by sabotaging your work. Excellence in the content and quality of your work is as much a reflection on me as it is on you. I ask that you receive my comments and suggestions in the spirit of fostering teamwork, and allow my editing skills to complement your writing skills.

Trust is a requirement of the editor-author relationship. You must trust that I want your work to be of outstanding quality and I will perform my services in your best interests.

I promise to treat you and your work with courtesy and respect. I ask the same in return. Mutual respect is essential if we are to Strike the Write Tone.

In addition to working as a nonfiction and creative nonfiction editor and writing coach, I am co-author, with Dr. Terri Lyon, of the book Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism: No activism degree required—use your unique skills to change the world. Visit my website page Make a Difference and Dr. Lyon’s activism website Life At The Intersection to learn more about Make a Difference, including how to place bulk orders.