Developmental Editing: Getting Your Book Past the Gate-Keepers
Remember the movie Midnight in Paris, when Owen Wilson went back in time to rub elbows with the writing greats, including Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein? The 1920s were the Golden Age for many reasons, and one—particularly enchanting for writers in the 21st century—was the idea of The Editor. The Editor that takes your hand, that sees something in you, that helps you weed through the wordy manuscript and finds the gold for you.
Alas, those types of Editors from big publishing houses don’t exist anymore. That role went by the wayside from the publishing industry a hundred years ago.
Now, publishing houses and agents—and even book editors from said publishing houses—expect newly submitted manuscripts to be already edited. Yes, they will make further suggestions during the revision process once you sign a contract, but they really want the very best you can provide from the get-go. Sometimes that polished, as-good-as-you-can-get-it/professionally-edited manuscript is the only chance you’ll get to move past Slush Pile #1.
So, what can you do then, to up your odds of getting past the gatekeepers? Or, if traditional publishing isn’t your goal, what can you do to insure you’ve put the best book you can out into the marketplace?
What Does a Developmental Editor Do?
One of the core tasks of a developmental editor is to identify any inconsistencies or weaknesses in the story, be it in the plot, characters, or setting. These gaps can be tricky to spot, especially when you're immersed in the world you've created. As a fresh pair of eyes, your editor can help you to see your work from a different perspective, offering constructive suggestions and solutions to enhance your manuscript.
I use a tool called a Story Rubric to help me work through my client’s manuscript. You can download this for free on the home page of my website. It provides a checklist of story elements that you can match up to your manuscript, making sure you haven’t left anything out, and rating each element on a scale of Underdeveloped to Excellent. You can use the rubric yourself, but getting those fresh eyes on the project is important. As an author, I do both. Check it myself, and then have an editor do it, too—using the rubric.
One and Done?
Developmental editing is an iterative process, one that often involves several rounds of revisions. As the author, it's important to approach this collaboration with an open mind and a willingness to receive constructive feedback. Remember that the goal of this partnership is to bring out the best in your story, so don't be afraid to trust the guidance of your editor.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that developmental editing is not about changing your story or your voice as an author. Instead, it's a nurturing process that allows your story to grow and evolve, ultimately transforming it into the best possible version of itself.
In the ever-expanding world of publishing, a well-crafted story is the key to standing out from the crowd. By investing in the developmental editing process, you are taking the necessary steps to ensure that your story reaches its full potential.
What Next?
If you would like to chat with me for a few minutes, to see if your story is ready for an editorial assessment, or to see if I’m someone you’d like to work with, please schedule yourself a free 15-minute Discovery Call.
Valerie Ihsan, Story Analyst and Book Coach,
is the author of You Can’t Dance a Lie: A Memoir of Stepping Into My Truth; The Scent of Apple Tea; and Smell the Blue Sky: Young, Pregnant, and Widowed, winner of a B.R.A.G. Medallion for Top Indie-Published Books. She co-chaired the Eugene Chapter of Willamette Writers for over eight years, diagnoses manuscripts as a Certified Three Story Method Editor, and helps authors write memoirs. She podcasts at the Writer Craft Podcast, loves dogs, and aims to live in Costa Rica and run writing retreats. She lives in Oregon with her husband and three dogs.
If you want to chat, book a free 15-minute Discovery Call.
