Comments on: What Developmental Editing Does for New Authors https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/ A Blog On Writing Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:20:32 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 By: Jenn Windrow https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175646 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:20:32 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175646 In reply to rebecca Forster.

That is amazing that you have had the same editor all those years! You have a true partnership!!

]]> By: rebecca Forster https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175644 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 19:56:18 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175644 Love this. I’ve used a developmental editor since book one 40 years ago. I just didn’t know that’s what she was called. 42 books later- same editor. Well done. Thanks

]]> By: Jenn Windrow https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175642 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:50:47 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175642 In reply to Robin H Currie.

You're very welcome!!

]]> By: Jennifer Windrow https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175641 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:53:57 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175641 In reply to Cheryl Gorman.

I’m so happy to hear that you understand how important a good editor is to the writing process!

]]> By: Jennifer Windrow https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175640 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:53:14 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175640 In reply to Debbie Vilardi.

This is such an important point. It is really hard to find those big picture items one chapter at a time, spread out over weeks. It sounds like you’ve got a good support system of writers to help you, and that is worth its weight in gold.

]]> By: Cheryl Gorman https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175639 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:27:37 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175639 Yes! Thank you! Developmental editing is exactly what my book needed. It was worth every penny! A good developmental editor is gold!

]]> By: Debbie Vilardi https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175638 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:13:51 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175638 This is so important. I have a critique group that's great, but we work on a chapter at a time. That means they often don't see the bigger issues until well into a manuscript, if at all. Once they critiqued the final chapter, I was able to see some of what they'd been saying all along and many things they hadn't picked up on. I'm essentially now doing a developmental edit for myself. But it's taken years to get to this point (28 chapter at one per month with a couple of months missed). I wish I'd had someone to read the full much sooner. Novels can't really be critiqued effectively piecemeal, especially not novels for older readers. (Maybe a novel with a single plot thread could be; this would be for ages 7-10 and much shorter.)

]]> By: Jennifer Windrow https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175637 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:36:38 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175637 In reply to Julia.

Thank you! And yes, structural editing is the same thing. I’m so happy you saw the benefits of a good editor and what it can do for your story.

]]> By: Jennifer Windrow https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175636 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:35:29 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175636 In reply to Adele Park.

Most editors will offer a sample edit. It’s the best way to get a good feel if you work well together or if you like their style. I offer 5 pages, some offer just one. I also send a portfolio with my proposals that shows my editing style too. Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample edit, and if they say no, they probably aren’t the editor for you.

]]> By: Robin H Currie https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/what-developmental-editing-does-for-new-authors/#comment-175634 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:26:02 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56145#comment-175634 Really interesting look at Developmental editors. Thanks.

]]>