developmental editing

In developmental editing, I review the completed manuscript, which is in good to strong shape, and provide feedback for the author to use in his or her revision.

My work includes:

• Suggesting reorganizing content
• Suggesting adding or deleting material
• Asking the author to clarify info
• Checking for factual errors
• Pointing out material that seems off base
• Pointing out material that is on target but is weakly written and suggesting how to make it stronger
• Checking for consistency in content, voice, headings, and approach to the material
• Suggesting any illustrations, art, tables, charts, forms, and special elements that would enhance the book
• Making sure the content meets the readers’ needs and impacts them the way we want them impacted

Other work includes:

• Guiding the author through the revision process (but the author does the revising)
• Checking the author’s revision to make sure it has been successful
• Providing guidance until the manuscript is finalized

The critique in a developmental edit is more detailed and the guidance is more hands-on and in-depth than with a manuscript evaluation.