The short version
- Developmental editing is the big-picture edit: it works on the story itself, from plot and characters to pacing and how the setting is used.
- It comes first, before line or copy editing, because it can cut or reshape whole scenes.
- The work is both diagnostic and prescriptive: it names what is not working and proposes how to fix it.
- You come away with an edited manuscript, an editorial assessment, and support as you make the changes.
What is developmental-editing?
Developmental-editing is the big-picture, freeform part of the editing process. It differs from copy-editing in that it is less technical and more creative. At ProjectK, we consider it more of an art than a science.
Where a copy editor might correct the punctuation or spelling mistakes in your writing, a developmental editor looks at the pieces that make up your story: the characters, the plot, and the use of the setting.
What does a developmental-edit cover?
As I outlined above, a developmental editor will look at your characters, plot, and setting. A developmental-edit has two core components: first, identify the story weaknesses; second, propose solutions to correct them.
At ProjectK, we look for:
- Character weaknesses.
- Insufficient arc.
- Insufficient depth.
- Underutilization in the story, themes, or in how they interact with the other characters.
- Unlikeability (assuming likeability is the intention).
- Insufficient weaknesses or interesting traits.
- Plot weaknesses.
- Jarring or weak pacing.
- Lack of setup and payoff.
- Improperly managed micro and macro plot-lines.
- Setting weaknesses.
- Opportunity to add further detail.
- Lack of connectivity to the plot and/or characters.
When working with our clients, we identify story weaknesses and note the smaller issues directly in your document. Larger, overarching weaknesses are compiled in a supplemental document we provide to clients who choose the Premium package of our editing services. There, we outline the problem and our solution, with direct edits proposed throughout the story to align with it.
During the developmental-editing process, we also analyze the marketability and anticipated reader reaction to the manuscript.
Do I need a developmental editor?
ABSOLUTELY. Given the price tag, most new authors and many self-published writers make the critical mistake of skipping the developmental-edit, or investing in a low-quality developmental editor.
The vast majority of readers won’t finish a book if it’s a weak story, even if everything is penned impeccably. A proofreader, copy editor, or line editor won’t tell you if your prologue drags, if your character arc is weak, or if your setting has holes in it. A developmental editor will.
When should I hire a developmental editor?
This is a matter of personal preference. We’ve worked with clients who are partially complete, clients whose book has already been self-published and who want to revisit it, and everyone in between. In fact, we welcome clients who are early in their writing process, and we’ve found that addressing the weaknesses before they can take root is often far less painful and cheaper than making adjustments once the book is complete.
But if you’re dead-set on finishing your manuscript before seeking an editor, we suggest the following: complete one or two revisions yourself (see the full revision guide on our blog), but always engage a developmental editor before any other type of professional editing.
From a cost perspective, this is a no-brainer. Only a developmental editor will make wide-spanning suggestions to cut, condense, or combine scenes and chapters. This reduces the overall word count and the accompanying fee of the other editors.
From a practicality perspective, this also makes more sense. A developmental editor will propose changes, but it’ll be up to you to execute them. If you hire a line editor to clean up your prose, you don’t want sections where your writing is weak because you went in and made adjustments to your manuscript after the fact.
What will I get from a developmental editor?
This is where the prospective client should be very careful. A cheap editor, or someone just looking to churn out clients quickly with little effort, will promise a developmental-edit but deliver very little. For an in-depth breakdown of what you can expect from our services, I’d encourage you to check out the Editing Services page and Our Process.
Stated clearly, you’ll receive:
- An edited manuscript with direct comments and markers in the document. Comments outline the smaller issues; markers are often associated with the larger, overarching problems addressed later.
- An editorial assessment. This includes:
- Our thoughts and general feedback.
- A marketability assessment.
- Issues identified in your characters, plotting, and setting.
- Specific suggestions to correct the issues, with insight on where to insert the suggested fixes.
- Structural suggestions.
- Ongoing support once the edits are complete. We’re available to address your questions, clarify our choices, and workshop your ideas until you’re satisfied.
Any developmental editor worth their salt should be able to state clearly what they provide. Whoever you end up choosing, be absolutely certain that they communicate this point clearly.
Can I do a developmental-edit myself?
The short answer is yes. But it often only goes so far.
There are a few things that get in the way. First, being too close to the work is often a crucial weakness. Even now, when I write and self-publish my books, I still bring in other editors to review my work.
Second, burnout is real and can come for anyone. Often a writer has been working on one story for too long, and it disrupts the process when it’s time to execute the developmental-edit.
Third, 25 years of experience has its perks, and being able to leverage a team of editors brings insight that individuals simply cannot match.
Ready for developmental-editing? Here’s your next step.
If nothing else, I’m glad I could convince you of the importance a developmental-edit has in every story.
I encourage you to field offers from several sources, and I’d be honoured if you would consider us as well. If you send us a message on our contact page, we can provide you a free, no-obligation sample of our work. The turnaround is fast, and we’re confident it’ll meet your standards.
For other developmental editors, I would suggest the website Reedsy. Reedsy book editors are among the best, and if you want freelancers that deliver high-quality work, you won’t be wanting for options. Another great option is Gary from BubbleCow, who I’m told does good work as well.
Common questions
How much does developmental editing cost?
Developmental editing is our most involved service and sits in the Premium tier at $25 per 1,000 words, agreed up front. Premium includes the full editorial assessment and everything in our Basic tier. You can see how it compares to our other tiers on our editing services page.
How long does a developmental edit take?
Turnaround depends on the length and condition of the manuscript, since a developmental edit means reading the whole book, weighing the story, and writing up the assessment. We agree a timeline with you before we begin rather than leaving it open-ended, and the free sample comes back quickly so you can judge the fit first.
Developmental vs line editing?
Developmental editing is about the story; line editing is about the writing. A developmental editor asks whether a character earns their arc or a scene pulls its weight. A line editor, working later, asks whether each sentence reads cleanly. The developmental pass comes first, because there is no point refining prose in a chapter that may not survive the story edit.
Do beta readers replace a developmental editor?
No. Beta readers tell you how a story landed for them, which is valuable, but they react as readers rather than diagnosing why something is not working or how to fix it. A developmental editor does both, and works from training rather than gut response. The two complement each other, and beta feedback often feeds the developmental pass.
Do I need to finish my manuscript first?
Not necessarily. We work with finished drafts, partial drafts, and even books already self-published that an author wants to revisit. Addressing weaknesses early, before they take root, is often cheaper and less painful than unpicking them from a finished manuscript. If you would rather finish first, complete a revision pass or two yourself (see our revision guide), then bring it in before any other type of editing.
Is “structural editing” the same thing?
Largely, yes. Structural editing and developmental editing are often used interchangeably for the same story-level work, and we simply call it developmental editing for clarity. Some sentence and paragraph restructuring gets handled during line editing, but the big structural decisions belong to the developmental pass.