Completing the first or fifth draft of your story is already a significant achievement that you should celebrate! The next step is to have your manuscript professionally edited but you are not sure what kind of editor you need. This article analyses what developmental editing is and explains the difference between developmental editing and other kinds of editing. This article analyses: Developmental editing Developmental editing vs coaching Developmental editing vs line/copy editing Developmental editing/ proofreading Summary Advice about editing Developmental editing Developmental editing (also known as structural, substantive or content editing) is the first step in the editing process and it solves the big-picture storytelling issues in your manuscript. It is the first kind of editing authors should look for after they have completed their first draft of their manuscript. The developmental editor addresses the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses and can provide comprehensive feedback on the following issues:
You can always ask for the professional services of a developmental editor but you can benefit most from the services of a developmental editor when:
Developmental editing vs coaching While developmental editors help authors refine their completed manuscripts, book coaches help authors from the first idea to the completed first draft. Book coaches can have weekly or monthly sessions with the author to check on writing goals and provide them with commentary or notes about their next moves. The book coach can be an assistant to the author but they don’t ghostwrite or rewrite part of the story. Book coaches can work with an author for about 6 months to help them finish the first draft of their story. Book coaches can help authors:
Developmental editing vs line/copy editing Line editing/copyediting is the second step in the editorial process. While developmental editing focuses on the big-picture issues of the manuscript, line editing/copyediting focuses on the finer details of a manuscript. Line editors/copyeditors focus on improving sentence-level errors and go through your manuscript line by line. Line editing/copyediting focuses on:
Developmental editing/ proofreading Proofreading is the third and final step of the editorial process. Proofreaders read the manuscript to catch grammatical, spelling, punctuation and formatting errors that previous editors missed during the editing process and ensure consistency in formatting and style throughout the story. Summary Developmental editing: It solves the big-picture storytelling issues of a manuscript (theme, plot and structure, characters, setting and timeline, point of view, pacing, voice, tone and imagery, and genre expectations). Authors should be looking for this service after they have completed the first draft of their manuscript. Coaching: Book coaches help authors during the writing process, from the first idea to a completed first draft. Line editing/copyediting: Editors go through the manuscript line by line and improve sentence-level errors. Proofreading: Proofreaders check the manuscript one last time for minor typos and errors before the manuscript goes to publication! Advice about editing Be open-minded about the process of editing. You are paying a professional editor to improve your manuscript. Listen to their feedback and be open-minded to their ideas. Prepare to rewrite certain scenes of your manuscript, rearrange scenes or sentences and make the necessary changes to improve your story and make it the best it can be. But remember, at the end of the day, you are the only one who has the final word about your manuscript and you should only make the changes you feel comfortable! Further reading How to brainstorm your novel’s genre and main characters How to write a romance novel using the 3-act structure How to create a consistent writing routine About the authorMaria Georgiou is a professional developmental editor for romance authors. She specialises in editing contemporary romance, YA romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance and romantasy. She is a member of the EFA and ClubEdFreelancers. Learn more about the author: About me Get in touch: Facebook and LinkedIn Learn about fiction editing: Resources Library and Blog Get a quote for your writing project: Get in touch with me form
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About the authorMaria Georgiou is a professional developmental editor for romance authors. She specialises in editing contemporary romance, YA romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance and romantasy. She is a member of the EFA and ClubEdFreelancers. Subscribe to the Fiction Editing Newsletter and get free monthly advice on writing, editing and publishing your romance stories! I will never spam, share or sell your personal information. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read my Privacy Policy. |
Subscribe to the Fiction Editing Newsletter and get free monthly advice on writing, editing and publishing your romance stories! I will never spam, share or sell your personal information. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read my Privacy Policy. |