What to expect from a Developmental Editor.
What we do, what we don’t do, and the red flags to look out for.
If you’ve never been published before, the thought of entrusting your work to an editor can be nerve racking. You want professional insight, but don’t want it at the cost of the story you want to tell. What if they don’t get it? What if they try to turn it into something it’s not? Dispelling these worries is at the heart of the process for finding a good developmental editor (and discerning the professionals from the pretenders).
Any certified developmental editor will tell you - providing professional guidance while honoring the author’s voice and intentions - that is the job.
“A good developmental editor will never diminish an author’s ideas. Instead they’ll find ways to expand on them.”
If you’re a first-time novelist, I want to hand you the keys for what to look for as you interview prospective editors and the 🚩 red flags that are signs to back away, swiftly.
While the developmental editing process can differ by editor, by manuscript and by genre, here is a shortlist of the main distinctions of what to screen for to find a good developmental editor.
🟢 A GOOD Developmental Editor Will:
Analyze and provide positive and constructive feedback on the overall structure of the story. Pacing, plot, theme, character, scene construction, dialogue and more.
Highlight missing or underdeveloped fiction elements.
Go through the manuscript multiple times to ensure a thorough review.
Always provide actionable suggestions and solutions for all feedback.
Act as a collaborator and offer encouragement.
Honor your creative vision, voice, and intent while helping you reach your goals.
🚫 A GOOD Developmental Editor WILL NEVER:
Rewrite any part of your story for you.
Correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors (that’s for copy editors).
Force you to comply with their changes.
Make vague criticisms that lack specific solutions.
Talk down on your work or to you
Take creative control away from you.
Claim any ownership over the final work.
While these may seem obvious, many writers - especially new writers - may have trouble differentiating what should be part of the editing process, and what’s a cause for concern. If you’re working with a developmental editor and come across any of the red flags, you can be certain they aren’t offering you the service that you deserve.
As a developmental editor, I specialize in helping first-time authors in the genres of science fiction and fantasy. If you hire me to edit your manuscript, our collaborative work will go beyond basic editing as I not only provide a comprehensive edit of the manuscript, but also offer tools and guides to empower authors in both their collaboration with me, and their future projects.
Along with my editing packages, I offer tailored, genre-specific resources, worksheets, as well as my foundational course, so you can gain inside knowledge and grasp the thought process of an editor or seasoned author. This course is for those who are interested in the craft of fiction - the why and how - beyond having it applied to their manuscript.
Above all, it’s a developmental editor’s job to assist you and your story. If you ever feel like a developmental editor isn’t doing that, remember that you’re the captain here. Don’t let the pressure of making something publishable compromise your vision!
LET’S TRANSFORM YOUR STORY TOGETHER
Take advantage of a free 15 minute consultation with me to discuss your novel. Allow me to help you determine the next steps for you and your story.