Before your manuscript is ready for a sentence-level edit, it should be reviewed on a broad, macro level. In a developmental edit, I read your book with the goal of evaluating its overall effectiveness and quality. Does the writing flow smoothly and logically? Where could it use better organization? How convincing are the theories or information presented? Does it need more anecdotes or factual references? Is your author’s voice consistent, believable, and likable? Which chapters or sections could use a little beefing up, and which could use a little sanding down? Are you delivering what you promised at the beginning? Most of all, will your reader feel that you have provided a satisfying reading experience?
It’s natural for problems such as those mentioned above to infiltrate your manuscript during the prolonged and intense process of writing and editing. Not to worry! I will present you with a user-friendly assessment of the book as a whole, as well as chapter-by-chapter recommendations to strengthen it. This assessment will become your roadmap to refine your manuscript. In cases where a major overhaul is required, I strongly suggest a second developmental edit before moving onto copyediting.
My specialty areas include healthcare, both traditional Western and complementary medicine/holistic approaches, business strategies and communication, psychology/self-help, social issues, including marriage and family, humor, Jewish life and spirituality, and memoir.
In the book world, the terms “developmental edit,” “substantial line edit,” and “copyedit” can overlap, and may even mean different things to different people. When you are interviewing potential editors, make sure you understand how they define each term and what their services will or will not include.
Want to work with me? Email me at judyrgruen@gmail.com and tell me about your project!
