What Is a Developmental Edit? And Why It Matters to the Success of Your Book

A developmental edit for your book project is as essential as eating right and working out if you want to be fit. You always need a developmental edit, no matter your experience as a writer. The most sophisicated writers expect it. Developmental editing is not about tearing down your work or diminishing your voice as a writer. It's a collaborative effort between an expert and you. In this episode, Melissa and Dave define what a developmental edit is and identify some of the emotions when hearing the editor's recommendations and seeing her edits for the first time.

 

Great Moments in the Episode

(8:40) Who needs a developmental edit? Every writer, including veterans and newbies.

(10:20)What a developmental edit is NOT. Plus, the other kinds of editing services that you will need for your book project.

(17:25) What do to if your agent or publisher isn't engaging you in a developmental edit of your book.

(19:00) A developmental edit is, for starters, a meta edit.

(29:18) Why we resist someone giving us a developmental edit.

(39:49) The best writers crave developmental editing.

 

(41:53) Words of the Episode

Malaise: a general feeling of discomfort or unease or overall bodily weakness

Brigand: A thief with a weapon, especially one of a group living in the countryside, stealing from people who are traveling through the area.

 

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