Developmental editors help authors improve the structure, content and overall effectiveness of a manuscript before copyediting begins. They work with fiction, non-fiction and academic writing, identifying issues that affect organisation, clarity, pacing, argumentation and audience engagement. They provide feedback through manuscript comments, editorial reports or a combination of both approaches to support substantive revision.
This guide explains what developmental editors do, how they work with fiction, non-fiction and academic writing, the types of feedback they provide and the issues they commonly identify. It also explores when developmental editing is most valuable, how it differs from copyediting and how to find the right developmental editor for a project. Finally, this blog post also contains downloadable examples of developmental editing in academic, fiction and non-fiction texts as well as a developmental editing report.
Table of contents
- Key takeaways
- What developmental editing is
- What developmental editors do
- How do developmental editors provide feedback
- Common issues developmental editors identify
- When authors should hire developmental editors
- Developmental editing vs copyediting
- How to find developmental editors?
- How much does developmental editing cost?
- Can large language models (LLMs) replace developmental editors?
- Conclusion
Key takeaways
- Developmental editing focuses on structure, content and overall effectiveness rather than grammar and punctuation.
- Developmental editors work with fiction, non-fiction and academic manuscripts.
- Common areas of review include organisation, pacing, argumentation, clarity and audience engagement.
- Developmental editors may provide feedback through manuscript comments, editorial reports or a combination of both.
- Developmental editing often takes place after a draft is complete and before copyediting begins.
- Developmental editors identify issues such as weak structure, content gaps, repetition and unclear audience focus.
- Developmental editing and copyediting serve different purposes within the editorial process.
- Professional developmental editors can be found through editorial associations, professional directories and editor portfolios.
What developmental editing is
Developmental editing focuses on the structure, content and overall effectiveness of a manuscript.
Developmental editors assess how well a manuscript achieves its goals and meets the needs of its intended audience. Rather than concentrating on grammar, spelling or punctuation, they evaluate larger issues such as organisation, clarity, pacing and argumentation.
As a result, developmental editing usually takes place before copyediting and proofreading.
What developmental editors do
Developmental editors improve the structure, content and overall effectiveness of a manuscript before detailed editing begins.
Unlike copyeditors, developmental editors focus on the big picture. They assess how well a manuscript achieves its purpose, engages its intended audience and communicates its ideas.
Common areas of review include:
- Structure and organisation
- Content gaps
- Argument and logic
- Narrative flow
- Pacing
- Audience expectations
- Chapter organisation
- Clarity and focus
- Consistency of tone and style
However, the work of developmental editors varies according to the type of manuscript.
Fiction
Fiction includes novels, short-story collections, children’s books, fantasy, science fiction, romance, crime fiction and historical fiction.
In fiction, developmental editors evaluate how well the story works as a whole. They focus on elements such as:
- Plot structure
- Character development
- World-building
- Narrative voice
- Point of view
- Pacing and tension
- Scene order
- Story coherence
For example, a developmental editor may identify a protagonist whose motivations remain unclear, a subplot that distracts from the main story or a slow middle section that weakens narrative momentum.
Download an example of developmental editing of a fiction text here.
Non-fiction
Non-fiction includes memoirs, biographies, self-help books, business books, popular science titles, history books and travel writing.
In non-fiction, developmental editors focus on content, organisation and reader experience. They often assess:
- Overall structure
- Chapter sequence
- Clarity of explanations
- Logical progression of ideas
- Use of examples
- Repetition
- Missing information
- Suitability for the target audience
For instance, developmental editors may recommend moving chapters into a different order, expanding a key concept or adding examples that make complex ideas easier to understand.
Download an example of developmental editing of a non-fiction text here.
Academic writing
Academic writing includes journal articles, monographs, book chapters, dissertations and research reports.
In academic manuscripts, developmental editors help authors strengthen the presentation of research and scholarly arguments. They often review:
- Research questions
- Argument structure
- Literature review organisation
- Chapter structure
- Use of evidence
- Logical flow
- Audience awareness
- Compliance with disciplinary conventions
For example, academic developmental editors may identify gaps in an argument, sections that require additional evidence or chapters that would benefit from a clearer structure. They may also highlight places where specialist terminology creates unnecessary barriers for readers.
Download an example of developmental editing of an academic text here.
How do developmental editors provide feedback
Developmental editors provide feedback through manuscript comments, editorial reports or a combination of both approaches.
The exact method depends on the editor, the manuscript and the author’s needs. Therefore, it is worth understanding how each approach works before selecting a service.
Comments only
This approach places feedback directly beside the relevant text. As a result, authors can immediately see which section prompted each comment.
Some developmental editors provide feedback exclusively through comments within the manuscript.
For example, developmental editors may comment on:
- A chapter that introduces key information too late
- A weak transition between sections
- A plot development that lacks sufficient setup
- An argument that requires additional evidence
- A passage that does not meet audience expectations
Comments-only developmental editing often works well for shorter manuscripts or projects that require highly specific guidance.
Here are some examples of in-text comments left by a developmental editor in:
Report only
Some developmental editors provide a separate editorial report without commenting directly on the manuscript.
The report usually discusses broader issues such as:
- Structure
- Organisation
- Pacing
- Character development
- Argumentation
- Audience engagement
This approach encourages authors to focus on major revisions before addressing individual passages.
A developmental editing report may range from a few pages to more than ten pages, depending on the manuscript and the scope of the review.
Download an example of a developmental editing report here.
Combined approach
Many developmental editors combine manuscript comments with a separate editorial report.
In this model, the report explains the major strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript, while manuscript comments provide examples from specific sections.
For example, the report may identify pacing as a significant issue. Comments within the manuscript can then highlight individual chapters or scenes where pacing slows.
As a result, authors receive both strategic guidance and practical examples.
This approach often provides the most comprehensive feedback because it addresses both the overall manuscript and the details that contribute to larger issues.
Common issues developmental editors identify
Developmental editors identify problems that affect the manuscript as a whole.
Common issues include:
- Unclear target audience
- Weak structure
- Missing information
- Repetition
- Poor organisation
- Plot holes
- Inconsistent characterisation
- Pacing problems
- Weak arguments
- Unsupported claims
- Abrupt transitions
- Lack of focus
For example, a non-fiction manuscript may introduce important concepts in an illogical order. Similarly, a novel may spend too much time on scenes that do not advance the story.
When authors should hire developmental editors
Authors usually work with developmental editors after completing a draft and before copyediting begins.
Developmental editing often provides the greatest value when major revisions remain possible. Therefore, many authors seek developmental feedback before:
- Submitting a manuscript to agents or publishers
- Self-publishing a book
- Preparing a dissertation or thesis for examination
- Submitting an academic monograph to a publisher
- Investing in copyediting
Once a manuscript reaches the copyediting stage, structural revisions can become more expensive and time-consuming.
Developmental editing vs copyediting
Developmental editing and copyediting address different aspects of a manuscript. While developmental editors focus on structure, content and organisation, copyeditors focus on language, consistency and technical accuracy.
For example, developmental editors may ask:
- Does the argument progress logically?
- Does the plot make sense?
- Does the chapter order support the manuscript’s goals?
- Does the manuscript address the needs of its audience?
By contrast, copyeditors typically address:
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Consistency
- Style-guide compliance
- Word choice
- Formatting
As a result, developmental editing helps shape the manuscript, while copyediting refines the language.
How to find developmental editors?
Finding a professional developmental editor involves combining formal searches with direct evaluation of skills and expertise.
Search professional directories
To find a professional developmental editor, search the directories of organisations for editing professionals. Many such organisations maintain searchable directories of qualified editors, which allow you to filter by subject expertise, service type or location. Examples include:
- ACES: The Society for Editing (USA)
- Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland
- Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (UK)
- Council of Science Editors (USA)
- Editorial Freelancers Association (USA)
- Editors Canada
- European Association of Science Editors
- Institute of Professional Editors Limited (Australia and New Zealand)
- Mediterranean Editors and Translators
- Nordic Editors and Translators
- Northwest Editors Guild (USA)
- Professional Editors’ Guild (South and Southern Africa)
- Society of English-Language Professionals in the Netherlands
Ask for a sample edit
To find a professional developmental editor who is a right fit for your text, ask them for a sample edit. A sample edit lets you see how an editor works with your text and how their work contributes to developing your document.
Check portfolios and reviews
Finally, to fins a developmental editor, check their website and portfolio. Professional editors usually share testimonials or lists of publishers they have worked with. When reviewing portfolios:
- look for experience with similar genres
- read client reviews to gauge reliability, communication and professionalism
How much does developmental editing cost?
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), UK
CIEP sets a suggested minimum hourly rate of £42.19 for proofreading as of 1 March 2026.
Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), USA
EFA’s 2026 rate chart details per-word and per-hour rates for developmental editing across disciplines.
- Academic: from 4–6¢ per word (~US$55–75/hour)
- Fiction: from 3.0–3.5¢ per word (~US$52.50–70.00/hour)
- Non-fiction: from 4–5¢ per word (~US$57.50–70.00/hour)
Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland (AFEPI)
As of June 2026, AFEPI provides a starting point for proofreading rates: at €51.40 per hour or €25.60–51.40 per 1,000 words.
| Organisation | Suggested rates |
| CIEP (UK) | £42.19 per hour |
| AFEPI (Ireland) | €51.40 per hour or €25.60–51.40 per 1,000 words |
| EFA (USA) | Academic: from 4–6¢ per word (~US$55–75/hour) Fiction: from 3.0–3.5¢ per word (~US$52.50–70.00/hour) Non-fiction: from 4–5¢ per word (~US$57.50–70.00/hour) |
Can large language models (LLMs) replace developmental editors?
Large language models (LLMs) can help with some aspects of developmental editing, but they cannot fully replace developmental editors.
Modern AI tools, such as LLMS, can identify certain structural issues, suggest alternative chapter organisations and highlight passages that lack clarity. They can also generate feedback quickly and at a relatively low cost.
However, developmental editing requires judgement, context and an understanding of authorial intent. Developmental editors evaluate how well a manuscript achieves its goals, serves its audience and fits the expectations of a particular genre or discipline.
For example, an LLM may identify a chapter that appears repetitive. A developmental editor can determine whether that repetition serves a rhetorical, narrative or pedagogical purpose. Similarly, an LLM may suggest structural changes without understanding publishing conventions, disciplinary expectations or market considerations.
LLMs can also struggle with:
- Long and complex manuscripts
- Genre-specific expectations
- Nuanced narrative development
- Audience analysis
- Originality and market positioning
- Contradictions that emerge across multiple chapters
- Context that exists outside the manuscript
As a result, an LLM can be perhaps used to provide preliminary feedback, while developmental editors contribute subject expertise, editorial judgement and a deeper understanding of readers’ needs.
Conclusion
Developmental editors help authors improve the structure, content and effectiveness of their manuscripts before detailed editing begins. By identifying larger issues early in the writing process, they support stronger revisions and help manuscripts communicate more effectively with their intended audiences.
Contact me if you are an academic or non-fiction author looking for editing or indexing services. I am an experienced editor offering a free sample edit and an early bird discount.
