What It's Actually Like Working with a Developmental Editor
Spoiler: It could be one of the best decisions you make for your book
So far, one of the best parts of self-publishing my debut novel (a second-chance contemporary romance) has been working with other amazing creatives—fellow writers (my critique partners and beta readers), graphic designers, and editors. It’s truly been a team effort.
Writing a book is a mostly solitary process (my critique partners are an incredible support system along the way, but all the writing is me, myself, and I at a keyboard), so getting to the publishing stage where I get to invite others in to bring THEIR skills to the process is so freakin’ cool.
A dear friend of mine, Sarah Brinley of
, opened the doors to her developmental editing business this year, which was pretty kismet. I jumped at the opportunity to work with her on my romance novel.If you’ve wondered if hiring a developmental editor for your novel is right for you, here’s my experience and some things to consider to help you decide.
What’s a developmental editor?
You can hire different types of editors to help you strengthen your manuscript. A developmental editor focuses on the big picture structure: plot, pacing, character development, and narrative flow. They help improve the manuscript’s clarity, emotional impact, and overall cohesion from a macro level.
They work with you on major rewrites before a line editor and a proofreader come in, who help you polish later drafts with micro, sentence-level changes.
The most valuable part of working with a developmental editor is gaining a fresh perspective on your work from someone with a trained eye. Their goal is to give you the strongest possible foundation to work from and less guesswork on your next draft. They’ll help you make sure the bones of it are solid.
The relationship between writer + editor
A developmental editor is part of your team and can be a key ally on your writing journey. You want to make sure you hire someone who understands your vision for your story, respects your unique voice, and genuinely wants to see you succeed.
I always knew Sarah had my best interest in mind. Throughout the editing process, she was supportive and encouraging, pointing out the manuscript’s strengths as much as the areas that could use improvement. This is really important—not because it strokes your ego (though that is a bonus), but because knowing what’s working is just as helpful as knowing what’s not.
Your relationship with an editor should be cultivated with trust and respect. It’s never necessary for them to be rude, overly harsh, or cruel while giving constructive criticism. And it definitely shouldn’t be an opportunity for them to boost their own ego.
A great developmental editor will be supportive but serious about the work that will help you get your manuscript to its strongest possible state while staying true to your vision. And you should be serious about accepting the feedback that will help you get it there, too. It’s a two-way street.
The editing process
As a writer, your only job while your manuscript is in your editor’s hands is to not panic or obsessively watch the clock while waiting. (Easier said than done, I know.)
Before the editing process begins, communicate your goals for the project and what feedback you are looking for with your editor. Make sure you're on the same page so they can better serve you.
It’s also important to ensure you’re emotionally and mentally prepared for feedback. A developmental edit isn’t just a tweak here and there—it’s deep work. And that’s a good thing. But if you’re anxious about “negative” feedback, it’s best to take a step back and do some mindset work before hiring an editor.
No one’s early drafts are perfect. (Hell, no one’s final draft is “perfect” because “perfect” doesn’t exist—no matter how much your perfectionism tries to convince you otherwise.) The goal should be to get it as close to your vision as possible. And that takes work. Divorcing your self-worth from your art is vital. Yes, it’s our book baby—but it’s still a project. Projects require iteration and dedication to the craft.
Embrace that work—welcome it. Get excited every time something helps move the needle closer to your vision. Be open to big changes (as long as they feel right). Be willing to get your hands dirty. You’re going into this for a reason—to strengthen your manuscript. Don’t let your ego get in the way.
Post-edit revisions
Once your editor sends you their work and you’ve devoured and digested all the feedback, the revision process starts. (You may or may not need a self-care day in between—take care of yourself through this process!)
Don’t be afraid to ask your editor for clarification on feedback you don’t understand. Some editors offer follow-up video calls, too, so you can discuss everything more in-depth and brainstorm solutions to things they flagged that you’d like to implement.
I like to sit with feedback and let things percolate for a while. Some suggestions immediately resonated, some were valid but didn’t ultimately feel right, and some I wasn’t sure about, so I gave them deeper consideration.
Personally, I love exploring unexpected, out-of-the-box ideas. It was one of my favorite parts of the process. Having someone you respect offer a new perspective and brainstorm ideas is a huge benefit to working with an editor.
Is a developmental editor right for you?
A developmental editor can be highly beneficial, depending on your circumstances.
Having another set of keen, discerning eyes with experience and a strong understanding of what is actually helpful to a novel's developmental process is key to producing a solid manuscript. If you don’t have anyone in your circle who can provide this (such as critique partners willing to do a deep-dive on your novel and spend a substantial amount of time providing support), then a developmental editor can be an enormous asset to streamlining your process.
They will really dig into your story and analyze it to catch any weaknesses and provide actionable suggestions. They’re also available to discuss your story, brainstorm solutions and ideas, and diagnose problems as someone who knows the craft well and truly loves helping writers develop their books.
Some editors also provide manuscript critiques for rough drafts, which is a pared-down version of a full developmental edit. If you’re still not sure what’s right for you, don’t be afraid to reach out to an editor and ask questions. Most of them are happy to discuss it with you to help you make the best decision for your needs.