‘I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS ANY GOOD’

After months, years of peering anxiously at the keyboard, screen and notebook, just about every author hears that lingering (and sometimes debilitating) voice that whispers, “Is it any good?” “Will anyone want to read it?” “Does it even make sense?’ All sense of perspective is gone, and no amount of re-reading, re-writing or self-editing banishes the voices.

Enter the structural or development editor whose job is to take a step back and help you see the big picture.

We evaluate the core elements of your book. For fiction, that means everything from the point of view, theme consistency, plotting and pacing to characterisation, character arcs and dialogue. And for non-fiction: clarity of argument, structure, length, balance of material to readability for the chosen market. In both cases, we ensure that your book is a page-turning, coherent, and exciting read.

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE CUTS

One common misconception about structural editing is that it’s all about cutting content. While it’s true that a structural editor may suggest trimming certain sections or moving chapters around, our primary goal is not to reduce word count but to improve the overall quality of the manuscript. In fact, we may even suggest adding extra chapters, characters, or plot points to further develop the story.

So, when should you consider a structural edit? If you’re a first-time writer, it’s a good idea to have a structural edit before you hand over your manuscript to beta readers or editors. This can help you address any major issues with your story and improve the quality of your manuscript before your beta readers or editors get their hands on it. If you’re an experienced writer, a structural edit can help take your manuscript to the next level, whether you’re trying to land a book deal or self-publishing. But, often, bringing in a structural editor at a point when you are stuck or really can’t see the way ahead, will help move the book on. We talk through plot lines, character development, sub-plots or structural issues that you’ve been grappling with and that are hindering your progress. And we can unlock your creativity and give you confidence and energy to carry on.

I’ve been a development editor since the mid 1990s, working at a senior level at both Penguin and HarperCollins and as a freelance. In that time, I’ve helped hundreds of authors.

WHAT I OFFER:

The process I offer is has three elements:

1) a tracked-changes edit of the Word (or Pages) file that makes suggestions at line level. The insights here can be very specific (alternative words) or more sweeping (character development suggestion, plot idea, expanding a theme or an argument).

2) An in-depth report that rounds up the comments in 1) and offers broader thoughts and ideas about each of the central elements as well as focussing on those points that need the most attention. The report also details ideas for next steps

3) The final part of the process is a follow-up phone call once you’ve had a chance to read and digest the report and the marked-up manuscript. I usually encourage a couple of weeks gap between reading and discussing just so that you have a chance to work through the suggestions and formulate a response and questions.

Many authors now come to development editors before they enter the hurly-burly of the publishing world or before they start down the self-publishing route. It is a wise investment: you’ll get honest and constructive feedback from a hugely experienced professional. And that should give you two things: a stronger, more coherent and fluent book and the confidence to push for its success.

You can check out some of the books I’ve worked on as a development editor on the Past Projects page of this site.