Developmental Editing

Developmental editing is an in-depth analysis of the academic manuscript’s content to ensure that the argument is clearly stated and well supported throughout the manuscript; that each chapter builds on the previous one and pulls the reader through the entire work; and that all chapters support an element of the thesis. While some developmental editing may shape the language, most of the work focuses on the structure and “big picture” concerns.
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My goal is to highlight your work’s compelling argument, making it interesting and accessible to a broad range of scholars and emphasizing your intellectual contribution.

The process

In the first phase of developmental editing (report with limited manuscript notes), I'll closely read the manuscript, paying attention to the
  • Thesis: Is it stated clearly, and early? For books, do the chapters have sub-arguments of their own that support the book's thesis?
  • Evidence/analysis: Is it effective to convince the reader of your argument? Is the evidence logical or is something missing to make that logical connection? Is there plenty of evidence but not enough analysis? Are definitions or examples needed to explain complex concepts?
  • Narrative or structure: Does the narrative pull the reader through or map the content? Does it keep the reader interested?
  • Style or voice: Are your claims and conclusions written with confidence and directness? Does the writing style engage the reader while maintaining your scholarly authority?
  • I'll also watch for too many main arguments or for chapter arguments that don't directly support the main argument. A book that tries to do too many things usually ends up doing none of them well.
While colleagues or peer reviewers may weigh in on the quality or accuracy of your scholarship, I will look for gaps in the argument that others in your field may miss because they "read over" or mentally fill in what they presume readers will also know. As an educated nonexpert in your field (but an expert in evaluating academic books and journal articles), I’ll show you where the reader may need more explanation.

I'll prepare a detailed report outlining your manuscript's strengths and weaknesses and providing concrete suggestions and steps for fixing the problem areas. I will also mark queries in the manuscript at places where sentence- or paragraph-level revisions are needed. And while friends and family may offer much-needed encouragement and moral support, I will go further, providing honest advice about what is working and what is holding you back, and I will offer you concrete steps to bring clarity to your writing.
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​Following this process, you may choose to revise on your own. Or, if you'd like additional help making revisions, we can move to the second phase of developmental editing (extensive manuscript notes and some manuscript revision), in which we will discuss the changes you'd like to implement and I'll map those revisions for you in the manuscript—for example, indicating which pieces could be moved, developed in more detail, condensed, or removed. At this stage I may suggest rewrites of short passages (a few sentences, a paragraph, new transitions, or revised introductions or conclusions), but you'll do the major rewriting. As always, my revisions in your manuscript will be tracked, and you'll have the option to accept or reject as you see fit.

Dissertation to book

I can help you tailor your dissertation to reach a wide audience, versus a dissertation committee. For example, while a recitation of scholarship in the field is important in a dissertation, your book needs to emphasize how your original contribution to scholarship builds on that earlier work and offers new insights. I'll help you structure the narrative to engage a wider audience, including nonexperts.

When developmental editing should be done

Developmental editing is best done early in the process, either after the manuscript is complete or while you're still drafting pieces of the work. This may be while you're preparing to submit your book manuscript or journal article to a publisher; when you need help or advice on revising based on peer review; or when you're revising your dissertation for publication as a book.

About the cost

  • I use a flat fee for development editing based on my review of the manuscript and our discussion of the scope of the work.
  • A deposit of 50 percent of the fee is required at the time of scheduling the work.
  • Each phase of developmental editing is contracted separately. You are not required to continue with the second phase, but I cannot provide the second phase without first completing the first phase.
  • If you will be using institutional funds to pay for my services, I will likely need to register as a vendor or independent contractor with your institution. I'm happy to do this, but I'll need your help to make that connection as soon as possible.

When to schedule

Each phase of developmental editing can take four to five weeks for books and ten to fifteen days for journal articles or chapters.

Plan to schedule developmental editing two to three months in advance for books and three to four weeks in advance for journal articles.