A developmental edit is probably the most important edit your manuscript will go through, because it’s a professional opinion on whether your story is working or not. When, therefore, is the best time to hire a developmental editor for your novel?
Some new authors are unsure at what point in the writing process they should send their manuscript off for a developmental edit. Many mistakenly believe that it can be done before the book is complete, to check whether or not they’re on the right path.
A developmental edit can only take place after the novel is fully written, because it is a big picture look at how your story works as a whole.
Finishing your story is just the start
When you complete a manuscript, there are a couple of things you need to do before you hire a developmental editor, and they’re both big things.
The first is the process of rewrites and self-editing. A lot of new writers don’t see the point of rewriting sections of their work or even rewriting the entire book from scratch, if needs be. Rewriting and self-editing are important because if you don’t do them, you will have a much weaker book and a developmental editor will have to spend more of their time and your money on editing it.
The second thing is getting other people to read your work. That can be daunting even for seasoned writers, but for new authors, it can be a very frightening prospect. It is important, though, because their feedback will help you with your own editing and get your manuscript into the best shape it can be before a developmental editor sets to work on it. If beta readers are flagging the same thing again and again, you’ll know this is an area that needs more work.
Hiring a developmental editor
Once you’ve toiled over your self-editing and feel there’s no more you can do, the time has come to hire a developmental editor. Choosing an editor is not something to be rushed. I would advise drawing up a list of editors you are interested in and requesting a free sample edit.
Most professional editors offer this as a service, and it’s a win-win for both you and the editor. It gives the editor a chance to assess the quality of your work beforehand, and it gives you an opportunity to compare samples and decide whose style works best for you.
Once you’ve made up your mind, you may have to wait a little while until the editor has availability, but it’s worth waiting for the right person if you think you’ll work well together.
For more information on the editing services I provide, please get in touch using the online contact form.
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