Developmental editing involves looking at the big-picture elements, particularly working on the structural and organizational issues of the manuscript to ensure that the author’s key ideas and voice are successfully articulated throughout the entire text.

Developmental editing involves evaluating the manuscript in its entirety. It also addresses the problematic areas of the author’s work and provides concrete suggestions on how to fix them.

How is it different from line editing and copyediting?

Line editing involves more substantive editing on the text itself, at the chapter, section and paragraph levels—checking for things like flow, consistency of voice, style, redundancy, and readability—to name a few. Line editing usually comes before copy editing and doesn’t involve checking for errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation. Copy-editing involves making sure that the text adheres to the publishing press’s style sheet and checks for correct punctuation, grammar, spelling, syntax and formatting.

When should I work with a developmental editor?

Developmental editing should be done after the first draft of your manuscript is completed, before doing any fine-tuning, such as line editing and copy editing. Typically, authors seek out developmental editing services at the early stages of the manuscript submission process, either before submitting it to an academic press or after receiving peer-reviewed reports, especially if the reports recommend structural or organizational revisions.

A scholarly book published by a university press is often a requirement for tenure and promotion. A developmental editor can work with authors to get their book or journal articles in publishable shape. Many scholars in their early stages of their career may also seek out the services of a developmental editor to reshape their dissertations into successful manuscripts that would be accepted by acquisition editors upon first submission. Developmental editors support and provide authors concrete steps for creating the best possible version of their work.