Developmental Edit
A Developmental Edit is an in-depth review process in book publishing where an editor works with an author to improve the overall structure, content, and quality of a manuscript. Unlike basic proofreading or copyediting which focus on grammar and spelling, developmental editing looks at bigger elements like plot, character development, pacing, and organization. Think of it as helping architects improve their building plans before construction starts, rather than just picking paint colors. This type of editing is particularly valuable for both fiction and non-fiction books in their early stages.
Examples in Resumes
Performed Developmental Edit on 20+ manuscripts annually, helping authors strengthen their narratives
Provided comprehensive Developmental Editing feedback for bestselling mystery series
Led Development Editor role for major publishing house's young adult division
Typical job title: "Developmental Editors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Developmental Editors
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle disagreements between authors and publishing house requirements?
Expected Answer: Should discuss diplomatic communication skills, ability to balance creative vision with market demands, and experience mediating between different stakeholders while maintaining positive relationships.
Q: Describe how you would develop a publishing strategy for a new book series.
Expected Answer: Should explain process of evaluating market trends, target audience analysis, working with multiple authors, and maintaining consistency across books while ensuring each one stands strong individually.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your approach to providing constructive feedback to authors?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of how to balance positive and critical feedback, maintain author's voice while suggesting improvements, and communicate effectively with different personality types.
Q: How do you assess whether a manuscript needs developmental editing?
Expected Answer: Should describe evaluation process for story structure, character development, pacing issues, and overall manuscript strengths and weaknesses.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between developmental editing and copyediting?
Expected Answer: Should explain that developmental editing focuses on big-picture elements like story structure and content organization, while copyediting deals with grammar, spelling, and style consistency.
Q: How would you organize your time when working on multiple manuscripts?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic project management skills, prioritization methods, and understanding of typical editing timelines.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic manuscript assessment
- Writing editorial letters
- Understanding of story structure
- Clear written communication
Mid (2-5 years)
- Detailed story development
- Author relationship management
- Genre-specific expertise
- Market trend awareness
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic project management
- Team leadership
- Complex manuscript development
- Publishing program development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of different genre conventions
- Poor communication skills in writing samples
- Inability to explain editing process clearly
- No experience working directly with authors
- Lack of understanding of publishing industry standards
