What Is Developmental Editing?

Most people are aware that books are edited before they are published.  Editing is usually regarded as proofreading to correct basic grammatical mistakes or spot omitted words.  And this is certainly one valid definition of editing.  It's called line editing, and is a basic proofing without much thought of a book's content.

Developmental editing, on the other hand, is far more involved.  A developmental editor must deal with issues of pacing, characterization, plot, believability, and style, to name just a few areas that are addressed in the process.  Sections of a book are "massaged," often rewritten to smooth out the bumps and any awkward sections.  Additions are made (or suggested to the author), and frequently large sections of text that slow the pace of the book, or which are simply unnecessary, are removed.  Editors call this "trimming the fact." 

Almost all successful books go through some degree of developmental editing, and this applies to even the work of the most famous authors in the literary marketplace.  Acquiring editors at major publishing houses get out their fabled blue pencils and litter the margins of manuscripts with thousands of suggestions and changes.  Often, developmental editors are hired to actually execute these changes.

There has always been a tug of war between authors and editors, but the reality in mainstream publishing is that all books get edited.  Wise writers acknowledge that they may be too close to their work and accept constructive criticism--and the editing that goes with it.

~ William Hammett

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