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Books - Perfect Bound, Self-publishing Posted by Ann O'Brien on 08/21/2024

What is developmental editing? If you’re a writer, you either know you have a way with words, or you have a great idea about a book that only you can write. Whether you’re a talented wordsmith or someone who’s never been confident putting pen to paper, you can benefit from working with a developmental editor.

You Need Developmental Editing

Do you have a wonderful idea for a book? Most authors struggle with things like plot, pacing, and dialogue. If you’re writing fiction, you want to be sure your book has the structure and characterization to stand next to other books in the same genre. If you’re writing nonfiction, you have a unique, marketable idea for a book, and you want to be sure it’s organized and structured at a professional level.

Is Developmental Editing Useful for Self-Published Authors?

Some writers think that only professional publishing companies hire developmental editors. In fact, you can hire an editor at any stage of your book writing journey. Developmental editing is helpful for any writer. An editor keeps you on track and helps you maintain your writing momentum.

What Is Developmental Editing?

Developmental editing is a specific type of editing that involves a close partnership with a writer. During this stage of editing, the author takes a rough draft—or simply an idea for a book—and works with an editor to create a finished manuscript.

A good developmental editor is there from the start. As a combination coach, cheerleader, and professional guide, the editor helps you answer these questions:

• What is the book about?
• Does it fit a particular genre?
• Who is it written for?
• What impression do you want to leave on your readers?

If it’s a nonfiction book, the developmental editing will help you answer:

• Why are you the best person to author the book?
• What is the best way to structure this book?
• What should be included, and what should you leave out?

Is Developmental Editing the Same a Proofreading or Copy Editing?

The term “editor” can be confusing. Depending on the context, it could refer to someone who’s a copy editor, a proofreader, an acquisitions editor, or a line editor. While all these tasks involve editing, they are all publishing specializations with their own focus.

• Developmental editors help authors with “big picture” items like plot, characterization, dialogue, structure, and pacing. For nonfiction books, they also focus on clarity, organization of the material, and other details.
• Line editors or substantive editors focus on wording, dialogue, and style.
• Copy editors help keep consistency, fact check, and improve readability.
• Acquisitions editors find authors for the publisher. They read manuscripts and work on the business side of publishing.
• Proofreaders correct spelling, grammar, and syntax errors.

Developmental editors are often hired by commercial publishers to help authors polish their manuscripts, but you can hire a freelancer to do developmental editing for you.

When Should You Hire an Editor?

The best time to work with an editor is when you’ve written your first draft. It’s best to work with someone before you reach final draft stage. An editor may suggest cutting pages of your book, moving or cutting entire scenes, restructuring entire chapters, and more. If your book is closer to the finished stage, that means a lot more work for both of you—and more cost for you.

Developmental editing can help you decide if you’re on the right track. They will get to know your manuscript in its first stages and be there to watch it grow and mature into a finished, printed book.

Get the Most from Developmental Editing

Working with an editor requires patience and a high level of trust. Work with someone who has your book’s best interest at heart.

• Be willing to listen. Your editor’s job is not to tell you what a great writer you are. Their job is to cast a professional eye on your manuscript and point out any potential weaknesses. If the writing, plot, or characterization need improvement, be open to hearing that. You’re paying this expert for their help, so give them the courtesy of at least listening to their suggestions. The final decision is always yours.
• Communicate clearly. It’s important to express your doubts and fears to your editor. Once you’ve decided on a direction for the book, you should feel that your editor shares that vision. While it’s important to listen to your editor’s suggestions, it’s equally important that your editor hears—and acknowledges—your concerns.
• Follow the deadlines. If you are working with a professional publisher, you will have strict deadlines to meet. The publisher will expect revisions by a certain date, and you must meet them. If your developmental editor is working with other authors, they may only have limited time to spend with you and may not be available after the deadline. Use a paper calendar, journal, day planner, electronic calendar, or whatever you can to keep yourself on track.

How to Find a Developmental Editor

• Online writing groups: When you join an online writing group, you get access to resources for writing and publishing. Use these communities to find writers who have worked with editors.
• Facebook writing groups: Facebook writing groups can be an extremely useful source of help with all aspects of writing and publishing. Ask your Facebook community for help finding a professional editor.
• Self-publishing platforms: Online publishing platforms can direct you to their selected agents, copy editors, proofreaders, and other publishing professionals. If you specifically ask for a developmental editor, you can get referrals to editors with experience working on books like yours.
• Editorial Freelancers Association: As the world’s largest association of professional freelance editors, proofreaders, indexers, translators, and content writers, you are certain to find a qualified editor at the EFA. The association’s website has a rate chart and an editorial rate estimator you can use to figure out the costs.
• ACES: Another association for professional freelancers, the Society for Editing offers support and training for editors. It provides a matching site for writers looking for professional editors across the country. You must become a member to use the matching service.

How Much Will Developmental Editing Cost?

At the rates charged by the EFA, a developmental editing for fiction will cost 4 cents a word, $50 to $60 an hour, or $10 for every 25 pages.

According to one survey of self-published writers, the cost of editing for a standard 70,000 to 90,000 word fiction novel was around $6,000 for a complete editing package that included a first assessment, copy editing, developmental editing, and proofreading.

You may see online editorial companies that charge surprisingly cheap rates for their editorial services. Some of these services offer an editing package that’s low-priced along with amazingly fast turnaround times. However, it seems unlikely that you could get thorough editing, let alone proofreading, at such low rates and speed. If you choose to work with one, proceed with caution.

How to Choose the Right Editor

Some editors specialize in certain genres. Others are generalists who can work with a wide variety of writers and genres. Don’t discount an editor just because they’re a generalist. Often, they are skilled editors who enjoy the challenge of applying their talents to a wide variety of books. They usually have an excellent grasp of what the reading public wants.

If you choose to work with a specialist, get recommendations from other writers. The right editor is someone who’s available at reasonable times, works at a rate you’re comfortable with, and understands your vision for your book. It’s also someone you can set up a good working relationship with.

Get It Into Print

Developmental editors help you take your book from good to better. At Dazzle Printing, we are here to help authors get their books professionally printed. Contact us today to learn about our affordable rates for self-published authors.