A developmental editor can be brought into your writing project at any time … before you’ve begun it, as you’re writing it, or after your manuscript’s finished.

Developmental editors can also be immensely helpful as you craft a non-fiction book proposal.

In all cases, the editor’s job is to catalyze your efforts. To establish a structure, focus, and tone for your work that will immeasurably improve its quality and marketability. A good developmental editor coaches and assists you, the author, past whatever hurdles you face on your writing journey.

When working with a finished manuscript, developmental editors address the book’s organization. They offer notes to restructure the piece, requests for additional content at key intervals, and advisories that certain sections be cut to maximize impact and readability.

In some cases, and only with the author’s agreement, a developmental editor may provide limited hands-on editing to illustrate how certain passages of a project might read. In cases where these edits become significant and substantial, the uncredited developmental editor is really functioning as a ghostwriter.