What Developmental Editing Really Is—and Why It Comes First
When many people think of editing, they picture cryptic symbols and scribbled margin notes in red or blue pencil—move this paragraph, delete those words, add a hyphen, fix that spelling, capitalize this letter. And yes, that’s part of the process. But it’s only one part, and it comes last.
Let’s start at the beginning: developmental editing.
If you’re like most writers, you drafted your manuscript, revised it (probably more than once), asked trusted friends or family for feedback, revised it again, and eventually decided it was ready to send out into the world. Your version of that journey might have involved more or fewer revisions or different kinds of feedback, but the basic path is usually the same:
write → revise → get feedback → repeat … until it feels “done.”
But here’s the tricky part: what does done actually mean?
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When you’ve taken the manuscript as far as you can? (Is that far enough?)
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When your partner says it’s the best thing they’ve ever read? (Are they objective?)
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When you just can’t stand to look at the thing for one more second? (We get it—but still.)
The point is, we’re all too close to our own work to truly know when it’s ready—and the people closest to us often aren’t the best equipped to judge either. That’s where professional editors come in—ideally for at least one round of conceptual feedback and revision guidance before any final polishing or correction.
“Wait… Isn’t That the Publisher’s Job?”
It used to be. Back in the day, agents and publishers often worked with authors to refine promising-but-not-yet-ready-for-primetime manuscripts. But times have changed. These days, most agents and publishers expect your manuscript to be market-ready before they’ll seriously consider it. Many agents will even advise you to hire a reputable editor first.
At the same time, the rise of high-quality, accessible self-publishing has opened new doors for writers—and new responsibilities. If you’re bypassing traditional gatekeepers and connecting directly with readers, you still need an expert eye on your manuscript before you hit “publish”—ideally on both content and execution.
We support both publishing paths. Whatever your goals, we want to give your book the best shot at success. That means not rushing to market before it’s truly ready.
What Developmental Editing Is (And Isn’t)
Editing generally happens in three phases: developmental editing, line editing, and final correction. We cover line editing, copyediting, and proofreading in another post, but for now let’s focus on the foundation: developmental editing.
Developmental editing can take many forms—phone calls or video chats, editorial memos, comments in the manuscript, or a combination of all three. But the goal is always the same: to guide authors through revision with clear, actionable feedback that makes the manuscript stronger.
Think of it as a roadmap: where your manuscript stands now, where it needs to go, and the steps to get it there.
Fiction
For fiction, developmental editing addresses big-picture elements: structure, pacing, character development, plot, dialogue, storytelling, style, and overall marketability. Each genre has its own expectations, and a good editor will help you navigate them. But at heart, all stories need to work as stories.
Nonfiction
For nonfiction, the focus shifts to structure, clarity, logic, organization, and impact. From memoirs to business books to how-to guides, the goal remains the same: make your message as clear and compelling as possible for your intended audience.
Developmental editing might include some hands-on edits to demonstrate craft techniques, but the main focus is not on rewriting your work. It’s about coaching—empowering you to revise with confidence, clarity, and greater skill.
How Developmental Editing Works at The Editorial Department
Remember that write → revise → get feedback → repeat cycle? Developmental editing is the professional version of that.
It’s a process, not a one-and-done fix. You won’t get a single round of notes that magically tells you everything that needs changing. Manuscripts are organic—changing one thing often affects something else. Growth happens as you go. A good developmental editor helps you navigate that complexity, encouraging insights that lead to breakthroughs and better ideas.
They’re your sounding board—there to help you figure out whether what you’re trying to communicate is actually coming through on the page. And if it’s not, they help you understand why and what you can do about it.
How Many Rounds Will It Take?
How many rounds of revision a manuscript needs varies. It depends on factors like:
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The author’s skill level
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The clarity of communication between editor and writer
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The project’s goals and intended audience
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And yes—budget, time, and personal tolerance for the revision process
At The Editorial Department, we push as hard as you’re willing to be pushed during development because we know how competitive the publishing world is—no matter your genre or publishing path. We’ll always be honest with you about what we believe your manuscript needs to succeed.
But we also respect your limits. Your time, your budget, your energy—they all matter. We don’t lock authors into long-term contracts or upsell unnecessary services. None of us are in this business to get rich.
We’re here because we love books, words, ideas, stories, and the people who create them.
We want to know what drives you to write, what you hope to achieve, and what your book means to you.
And most of all, we want to help you succeed.
The Editorial Department has a team of experienced editors who specialize in commercial, literary, and mainstream fiction, as well as a wide range of nonfiction categories. Click here to learn more about our editors, or here to answer a few quick questions to help us match you with the best editor for your project.
For questions or to submit your manuscript, please contact Ross Browne at our Tucson office.
