As an editor, I get asked this question a lot: “What does a developmental editor do? Do I need one?” Here’s a quick breakdown of the different types of editors and when you need them.
1. Developmental (substantive) editors: Look at the big picture of a story: plot holes, inconsistencies, character development—or lack thereof—dialogue, pacing, adherence to genre rules, etc.
- When you need them: developmental editors are best for beginning writers. They can help you identify and strengthen weaknesses in your writing, and any potential issues with your manuscript. Developmental editors are also great when you’re switching to a new genre, or when you know there’s something wrong with your story, but have no idea how to fix it. If you’re piling up the rejections, developmental editors can help.
2. Copy editors: Detail-oriented folks on the hunt for any mistakes or inaccuracies, including grammar, sentence structure, factual errors, repetition, word choice, spelling, dialogue tags, etc.
- When you need them: every writer needs a copy editor. It’s impossible to find all the mistakes in your own work, even with AI tools. A copy editor should see your manuscript after it’s as polished as you can make it.
3. Proofreaders: Conduct a final pass on a manuscript, searching for any errors that might have been missed, mostly grammar and spelling.
- When you need them: a proofreader is perfect if you’ve made significant changes to your manuscript during rewrites or after a copy edit, but it’s always a good idea to have your manuscript proofread before publication. You can do this yourself by reading your manuscript out loud or having sharp-eyed, grammar-police friends look it over for you.
Some editors do a combination of the three. For example, I include a lot of copy editing with my developmental edits, but I would never claim to be a copy editor. Whichever editor you hire, make sure you’re selecting someone with experience in the type of editing you need. A copy editor or proofreader can provide sample edits, but a developmental editor can’t—and shouldn’t. They need to see your entire manuscript to be able to give a proper assessment.
PS: Want to take your manuscript or career to the next level? Currently accepting clients for developmental editing and a limited-availability 1:1 mentorship package.