When and How to Hire a Developmental Editor
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Book editors — who needs ‘em?
Turns out, every single one of the top 100 New York Times bestselling books published in the last year.
As a freelance developmental editor and published author myself, I’ve experienced both sides of the book writing process. I’ve seen that no author truly goes it alone: every writer relies on editors, beta readers — and patient friends and family! — to help perfect their manuscript. Assembling your team and your support system is a critical step to finalizing your book and preparing it for publication.
But when you’re considering hiring a freelancer for book editing services, when in the process should you hire them? How should you go about finding your perfect match? How much does a developmental editor cost?
Let’s dig in.
What Does a Developmental Editor Do?
A developmental editor gives notes on an existing manuscript to mold it into the book that YOU, the author, wants to write. Again, not the book the editor wants to make, but the book the author wants to exist in the world. Developmental editors like myself serve the author’s vision for the book, not the other way around. You know you’re working with the wrong developmental editor if they’re trying to turn your book into something it’s not.
A great developmental editor should…
Recommend ways for your story structure to be improved to create better moments of surprise, suspense, and narrative drive
Connect the dots between set-ups and payoffs, and identify things that are already present in your book that could be connected in new ways to better support your vision for the book
Identify ways connective tissue could be implemented to create deeper, more thematic elements and more compelling character moments to leave the audience breathless
Help clarify moments that might be confusing for the reader or hurt the flow of the book
Give notes and leave comments on anything related to plot, pacing, characterization, theme, clarity, and anything else that affects the read or structure
Developmental editors essentially provide a diagnosis and a cure. A great developmental editor won’t just point out the problems in your manuscript: they’ll also pitch some ideas on how to solve any issues in your book.
Do I Need to Hire a Developmental Editor or Book Editor?
When you work with an expert developmental editor, you get back your most scarce resource: your time.
Great editors save you time by seeing your blindspots, solving story problems, and pitching ideas and scenes that were already in your draft to begin with — just buried one layer under the surface.
The best developmental editors are like sculptors, helping to reveal the magic in the marble of your vision for your story, sharpening your manuscript into full color and vivid detail.
When I was writing my book Six-Figure Freelance Writer, my partner and developmental editor Kyle Cords was an invaluable part of the process. He identified places where I could dig deeper, had me remove chapters that were not serving the message I wanted to get across with the book, and also identified sections that didn’t fit the tone and voice of the book. He read and re-read my book countless times, and his notes deeply affected the final draft. Since its publication, Six-Figure Freelance Writer hit #1 on Amazon New Releases and I’ve gotten a flood of emails, podcast interview requests, and other messages from fans of the book.
The best authors build long-lasting partnerships with great book editors because that’s how you build a successful career as an author. Almost every famous author from Hemingway to Fitzgerald benefited from the invisible hand of a great editor in their work. Maxwell Perkins is a famous example, and he shaped books like The Great Gatsby into the classics they are today.
So, as far as I’ve seen, yes — you absolutely need to hire a developmental editor if you’re serious about putting your book out into the world.
When Should I Hire a Developmental Editor or Book Editor?
Most developmental editors will only work with writers once you’ve completed your full draft and are ready for them to give notes.
When I work with authors, however, I’m able to help them in any stage of their process. Are you halfway finished with your book, but stuck on the middle scenes? Is your ending not wrapping up as neatly as you want it to? Are there some lingering storylines or thematic arcs that are falling flat?
As a ghostwriter and developmental editor, I’m able to step in and help you no matter where you’re at. I’m used to being the AAA Roadside Plot Specialist for any breakdown your metaphorical vehicle might encounter on the road toward your most perfect book. 😊
How Much Does a Developmental Editor Cost?
The cost of hiring a developmental editor depends on the state of your draft and the scope of the work as well as how experienced your developmental editor is.
You truly should hire an expert for this role: bad or inexperienced editors can do a lot of harm to your draft, steering you in the wrong direction or giving notes that will potentially confuse or mislead your ideal readers. You’re going to want to look for someone with serious storytelling ability — bonus points if they’re a writer in their own right and have their own career! I’ve found that the developmental editors that give me the best notes on my work are successful writers in their own lives.
In my work with my clients, I operate a bit differently than standard developmental editors who just give you notes on your draft.
While I can work as a standard developmental editor and give you notes and recommend edits for your manuscript, I often take a more thorough approach for most manuscripts I work on. This takes the form of usually starting with a rewrite outline to propose how structural changes might affect the flow of the book, and using this first rewrite outline to also show how themes and a/b/c storylines can more delicately intertwine.
Each draft requires a different approach, so I can’t give a specific price before starting, but my project minimum is usually around $5k, and the higher range can be upwards of $30k depending on the scope of work.
I work hourly at my rate of $750/hour because, again, every draft is different and I want to be able to offer customized pricing rather than just give a high-end flat-rate. I’ll also provide an initial estimate at the start of the process so you can get a sense of what the cost might end up as.
When you’re hiring a developmental editor, you’re either taking a step forward or a step backward with your book. Make sure you’re working with a trusted expert who can help you take your manuscript to the next level and honor the work you’ve already done!
What’s the Difference Between a Developmental Editor, Line Editor, and Ghostwriter?
Books are a collaborative experience, even though all eyes are usually on the author.
From proofreaders to epub formatters, there are a lot of behind-the-scenes roles that don’t get their spot in the limelight.
Developmental editors differ from line editors in their job descriptions because developmental editors focus on the clarity of the story and themes, whereas line editors agonize over sentence structure and are meticulous fact-checkers. Some developmental editors (like myself!) also offer line editing.
Line editing and proofreading can also overlap in some areas, although proofreaders usually just check for spelling and grammar errors whereas line editors are looking for clarity, accuracy, and sentence flow.
I work with a separate proofreader on most of my projects just so that I get coverage on any typos that I might miss in my many passes through a manuscript.
The two jobs that I find co-exist with the most harmony are the roles of ghostwriter and developmental editor.
In my work as a developmental editor, I give my clients a roadmap to success. I offer new shapes and perspectives for their vision, and help mold the clay of their story into their most ideal finished form. If I’m operating in a more traditional role as an editor, I hand off my notes and recommendations to a client for them to implement and choose what to implement.
However, most of my clients also hire me to not only do the developmental edit, but to also operate as a done-for-you draft finisher. This is where my ghostwriting work comes in: if a client of mine has been stuck on a sequence for months, I can not only pitch ideas for how to reveal the most perfect version of that sequence, but once my client approves of the plan I can go in and build the proverbial building for them.
That way, my clients can see the magic of their work coming together, and I can tidy up their draft for them and make it bulletproof and publish-ready.
This is how I’m much different than other developmental editors: I’m your secret weapon, and I can help you get your draft across the finish line and in a form so beautiful your vision feels fully realized.
That’s the magic of great book editing!
Take a Second and Appreciate the View
No matter what you decide to do next, don’t forget to celebrate how far you’ve come.
Most people dream about writing a book — few people ever cross that finish line.
The fact that you’re here, reading this blog post, thinking about next steps for your book? You’ve come so far — celebrate the fact you’ve come this far!
I’m proud of you. You should be proud of you, too.
Work with Me to Elevate Your Manuscript
Want to know if I might be the perfect book editor for you and your manuscript?
Work with me if you want…
Your book to reach its highest potential, engaging audiences everywhere and winning over the hearts and minds of your audience
To receive a thorough analysis of what’s working, what’s not, and receive a clear roadmap for how to take your book to the next level
Your fictional characters to feel like real human beings, not half-baked ideas of what people are
Your book to read the way it’s supposed to, landing with readers in the way you intend
To have personalized, expert help and support during the book writing and publishing process
Want to hop on a free discovery call? Contact me now, drop a note below, or check out my services page.
