Also called a manuscript critique or an evaluation edit, you usually need a finished manuscript to turn into the editor, unlike developmental editing. This is what structural editing is all about. And every book (both fiction and nonfiction) needs a good flow to pull the readers along, either entertaining or providing information. Structure and flow go hand-in-hand and are kind of hard to pin down. Like developmental editing, structural editing takes a broad look at the structure of your manuscript. That said, if you feel that something is not working, you keep moving scenes around, or you can’t seem to determine what the story is about, you could benefit from this kind of editorial feedback.Īdditionally, if you’re just starting out as a writer, a developmental editor can be a huge help, becoming as much a coach of good writing techniques as an editor. If you’re confident that the overall plot, character development, and clarity of your story all work well, you may not need a developmental edit. Not every author needs this high-level editing. You’ll also get an annotated manuscript back, which includes notes of the developmental edit, giving you a more detailed view of their suggestions listed in the report. The editorial report will also mention what’s working well so you know what to keep! Things like flat characters, plot holes, confusing scenes, not enough tension, and unclear character motivations are all things a developmental editor will look for. Some people struggling with their story seek help from a developmental editor, since this is one kind of editing that can be done before the entire book has been written.Ī developmental editor will read the entire manuscript and present to you an overall summary (called an editorial report) of what is working and what’s not. This type of editing takes a broad strokes look at the overall structure of the manuscript. Often called a manuscript appraisal, content editing, or substantive editing (I know, too many names, right?). When Do You Need an Editorial Assessment?Ī developmental edit is often the first step in editing a novel.When Do You Need Developmental Editing?.
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