Developmental editing is the stage authors most often misunderstand, partly because the word "editing" suggests tidying. A developmental edit is not a tidy-up. It asks whether the book works.
What the editor looks at
For fiction, the editor considers plot, pacing, character, point of view, setting and the way the story begins and ends. For non-fiction and memoir, they consider structure, argument, clarity, the order of material and whether each chapter earns its place.
In both cases, the central question is the same: does this book deliver what it promises its reader?
What you receive
The exact format varies, but most developmental edits produce some or all of:
- An editorial letter or report. A few pages summarising the strengths, the main problems and what to do about them.
- Margin comments. Notes through the manuscript pointing out specific spots.
- A structure map. A chapter-by-chapter view of what happens and what is missing.
- A follow-up conversation, if your editor offers it, to talk through the feedback.
What the editor will not do
A developmental editor does not usually fix every sentence. That is the job of a copy-edit, which comes after the structure is settled. They will point out repeated problems, but they will not polish line by line.
How to get the most from it
- Tell the editor what you want. Say who the book is for and what you want it to do, so the feedback measures it against your goals.
- Read the report twice. The first reaction is often defensive. Put it away for a day and read it again.
- Make a revision plan. Decide what to change, in what order, before you start rewriting.
- Ask questions. If something in the report is unclear, ask. Good editors would rather explain than be misread.
- Do the work. The edit is only useful if it leads to a revised draft.
How long it takes
It depends on the length and condition of the manuscript. Reading and responding to a full-length book carefully takes time, so allow weeks rather than days, and ask your editor for a realistic schedule.
What revisions usually involve
Authors often expect a developmental edit to lead to small fixes. More often it leads to bigger moves: reordering chapters, cutting a section that repeats another, strengthening a weak opening, or filling a gap in the argument. For fiction, it might mean sharpening a character's motivation or tightening a slow middle.
Expect a period of rework after the report arrives, and plan for it. Many authors find it useful to work through the report in layers: first the biggest structural points, then the chapters that need rewriting, then the smaller notes.
When you are unsure whether you need this stage at all, see which kind of edit does my book need? When the structure is settled, the next step is copy-editing. Before any edit, prepare your manuscript.
Is it worth it?
If you have written a first draft and are unsure whether the structure holds, yes. A developmental edit is often the single most useful investment, because it improves the book at its foundations. If you have already revised a manuscript heavily and are confident in its shape, you may be ready for a copy-edit.
A free book review of your manuscript is a good way to find out which side of that line it falls on. See our book editing service.
Want to know where your book stands?
Submit your manuscript for a free book review: the whole book, or at least the first three chapters. We'll read it and send you our feedback. There's no obligation.