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.