Developmental editing focuses
on big picture elements of the story and plays a deeper role in manuscript development
. Plot holes, character arcs, pacing, action sequences, and dialogue are all things covered by a developmental editor when it comes to creative writing.
What does a developmental editor do?
A developmental editor
may guide an author (or group of authors) in conceiving the topic, planning the overall structure, and developing an outline—and may coach authors in their writing, chapter by chapter
. This is true developmental editing, but not the most common way of working.
How long does a developmental edit take?
There is no simple answer to this question, but over the years at BubleCow we have come to understand that an experienced editor working with a well-written novel can expect to edit between 5 and 10,000 words per day. This means that for a novel of 60,000 words will take somewhere
between one and two weeks
to complete.
What is developmental copy editing?
As its name implies, a developmental edit (also often called a content, structural, or story edit)
focuses on the heart of your book—the story
. … Line editing and copyediting focus on the language you use to tell the story.
What do developmental editors look for?
Developmental editors edit at the sentence and paragraph level, a process known as line editing or copy editing. They look for
spelling, grammar and style errors
, in addition to run-on sentences and sentence fragments. They might suggest alternate words, break up sentences or combine sentences.
Can an editor steal your book?
If an agent, editor, or publisher really wanted to steal your book, they would still need to rewrite it to avoid a plagiarism lawsuit. This takes time and lots of it. The reality is,
industry professionals don’t have the time to steal your idea
.
Is developmental editing worth it?
Most published books go through at least one round of developmental editing. … It can lead to major changes in a book. Characters can be merged, entire plots can be tossed out, settings can switch hemispheres, and so forth. But, in the end,
it’s all worth it
.
What is the difference between developmental editing and line editing?
The one major difference between developmental editing and copyediting or line editing is
that it looks at the whole manuscript instead of looking at it in parts
. The structure and content of the entire manuscript is what the editor focuses on.
When should I get a developmental editor?
When Should You Get Developmental Editing? Developmental editing comes early in your writing and editing process. I recommend hiring a developmental editor
after your first or second draft of your book
. Your developmental editor will read your manuscript and give you high-level feedback on the shape of your story.
How much does developmental editing cost?
Developmental editing rates for your manuscript usually cost
between $. 07 and $. 12 per word
. Some developmental editors charge by manuscript page, in the range of $7.50 to $20 per page.
What is difference between editing and proofreading?
A proofreader will look for
misspellings
, incorrect/missed punctuation, inconsistencies (textual and numerical), etc. Editing, on the other hand, corrects issues at the core of writing like sentence construction and language clarity. A thorough editing will help improve the readability, clarity, and tone of the text.
What are the different types of editing?
- Developmental, substantive, or content editing.
- Structural editing.
- Copy editing.
- Line editing.
- Mechanical editing.
How do I choose a developmental editor?
Compile a list of editors who specialize in projects like yours and have the qualifications to back them up. Research what titles they’ve worked on, how long they’ve been in the business, what type of training and credentials they have, and whether they have any client testimonials on their website.
What makes a good developmental editor?
Your developmental editor should have
a few years of experience in the book publishing industry
, as well as book editing experience with the genre you’re writing. Whether it’s historical nonfiction, young adult, romance, or science fiction, it’s important that you can trust the editor’s knowledge of the genre.
What do line editors do?
A line editor works line-by-line, tightening up sentence structure so the language is sharp and clear. They look closely at how a writer’s word choice and syntax contributes to the tone or emotion of a piece of writing. Finally, a line editor is
concerned with the overall pacing and logical flow of a piece
.
Should I copyright my book before editing?
Should I copyright my book before I submit it to editors and agents?
There is no need to copyright your book
(with the U.S. Copyright Office) before submitting it. … The publisher merely handles the paperwork on behalf of the author, and the copyright is the author’s property.
