Developmental editing is all about content both from thirty thousand feet and ground level. I view developmental editing as a business partnership. We both want this book to succeed, and we’re collaborating together to make it happen with our ideas, skills, and labor. And it’s a lot of fun if you embrace it! We’re talking in-text commentary, gasps, praise, critique, and recommendations plus a report detailing overall what needs to be improved, cut, added, explored, and strategized to knock it out of the park.
Developmental Editing
What to Expect
We get acquainted with each other and the project via Zoom, phone call, or email.
Happy with everything, we sign a contract, and a retainer is paid (20% of the total cost).
I read the book in full, but this service does not include markup within the document.
I write an assessment, usually about 2,000 words, detailing the biggest areas for improvement, as well as strengths and favorite parts of the book.
Before I return the assessment on deadline, I expect the remaining balance to be paid.
I send the assessment via email in PDF and/or Microsoft Word.
We debrief over Zoom, phone call, or email for up to sixty minutes to answer your questions after reading the report, and we make a plan for how to tackle revisions.
Some authors pay me by the hour to read revisions after an editorial assessment either chapter by chapter or in full.
Each book will have different strengths and weaknesses, and therefore each report will showcase different criteria, but the following are criteria I sniff around for and would then make recommendations on improving if necessary:
Characterization
What was the “status quo” for each character before the inciting incident?
Did the book have any “Mary Sue” characters with no flaws?
Did the book have any characters with literally no redeeming qualities?
Does each character stand out with an individual personality? How can we make sure they’re not all the same person in different bodies?
Do the characters think, speak, and behave consistent with their age, location, time period, and background?
Do the characters respond logically or within expectation to events (i.e., are they emotionally realistic)?
What does the writer want each character to represent / what purpose does each one serve for the plot and theme?
Are there too many “main” characters? Too few?
Is the writer too attached/similar to the characters (e.g., unable to make changes because it isn’t true to their perception of themselves)?
Does the character have realistic and important stakes to continue?
Does the reader care about any of the characters’ well-being or outcome?
How is the main character different than when they started the journey?
Is each character easy to visualize?
Is the dialogue for each character unique?
Much, much more.
Plot
Does the plot make sense? (e.g., is every “rule” or detour necessary, etc.)
What’s the inciting incident that propels everything else? How does it break the status quo?
What’s the rising action? Is it interesting?
What’s the climactic peak? And the midpoint?
What’s the falling action? Is it interesting?
Is it paced in a nice, steady manner (not moving too fast nor too slow)?
Does everything mentioned “come back” or serve a role in the greater picture?
Is the plot organized in a specific way (chronologically, character-based, etc.)?
Are there any plot holes that make scenes or the ending impossible or silly?
Could we do something in addition to or instead of something else to really elevate the climactic build or satisfying resolution?
Did the story try to fit too much in?
Did the story drag on without much action?
Does the plot try to incorporate too many different morals or issues?
Does this plot do something original for the genre, tropes, etc.?
Does this plot have too many cliches?
Is it unrecognizable to the genre it’s attempting?
Will this plot validate the reader’s commitment, or will it frustrate them? Is that the writer's intent?
What does the writer want the plot to accomplish and highlight? Does it do that?
What devices are overused to move plot (dialogue, action, letters, etc.)
Much, much more.
Writing Style
Is the writing style consistent throughout the book?
Does the writing style effectively indicate a relationship with the reader? (Educator, friend, pastor, etc.)
Is the writer showing or telling, and which is appropriate for the scene?
Is the writer using too many cliches or obvious descriptive imagery, language, etc.?
Is the dialogue believable and accurate?
Is a character overexplaining their internal thoughts and processes?
Is exposition paced and embedded?
Does the author summarize the story or narrate it?
Does the author summarize the point or explore it?
Is the information relatively unbiased/neutral (for nonfiction)?
Is the writing style consistent with or harmonizing with the genre it falls under?
Is the writing style consistent with the character personalities?
Is the writer using too much passive voice?
Does the writing style match the demographics of the reader?
Much, much more.
Reader
Who is reading the book and why? (Demographics, avatars, etc.)
Does the book reach the reader’s demographic? How?
Why did the reader buy this book (felt need)? Is it accurate to the book’s reality?
What does the reader expect? Did the book meet the expectations?
How much is the reader expected to know before they start reading this book?
What reading level does this demographic read at? Does this book write at that reading level?
What will readers enjoy about this book?
Were there areas insensitive to reader experiences?
Were there areas that seemed to “pander” or manipulate their view?
Will the reader “get” what the author is doing (symbolism, themes, etc.)?
How will a reader hear about this book?
What does the author want the reader to feel when they close the book?
What kind of relationship does the writer want with the reader? (Educator, friend, pastor, etc.)
Much, much more.
Subject Matter
What is the objective of this book? Do we reach it?
How is the book organized? Does it make sense?
What does this book offer that other books have not?
Does the writer keep the reader engaged when the subject matter is dry?
Is the writer fair in their presentation of a problem, theme, or objective?
Is the problem relatable and/or understandable?
Does the writer resolve or address problems they introduce?
Does the writer provide practical resolutions or skills?
Are the solutions reasonable for the demographic?
Does each chapter build upon the previous ones?
Are the themes relatable to the readership?
Does the writer explore all the questions and context of a subject matter adequately?
Is the subject matter supported with a balance of concrete and abstract examples, elaboration, etc.?
Does the writer cater to several learning styles (as is possible)?
Is the matter respectful to the reader and to the subject?
Is the content reviewed necessary for the reader (not information they already know)?
Is the inspiration new, original, creative, and/or rooted in truth?
Has this book’s information been reviewed by someone knowledgeable about the subject matter?
Can assertions in this book be checked or validated?
Does this book rely too heavily on references to other materials?
Does this book rely too heavily on opinions?
Could a reader explain this book’s purpose and follow-through to a friend?
Much, much more.