The developmental editing process works best if we can collaborate from the very beginning, but I can provide assistance at any stage of your project. Developmental editing phases can include:

• Discovering the audience(s)

• Developing the basic outline and content outline

• Applying instructional design and story development strategies

• And ultimately asking and answering up front all those pesky yet crucial “Why should the reader care?” questions.

As you create your manuscript, I’ll read and provide feedback on each chapter to keep you on point and in the groove.

Please keep in mind that the DE’s responsibilities include asking hard questions, challenging assumptions, and providing constructive criticism. Also know that line editing, copy editing, proofreading and general grammatical nitpicking are not part of any developmental editing process. That stuff typically happens afterward.

For technical books, especially those that include software code examples and exercises, the DE process may also include scheduling and organizing peer and expert reviews and helping the author assess any revisions that are needed, based on feedback from those reviewers. Coordinating those reviews will be billed at an hourly rate to be determined.

I am also available for coaching sessions, no matter if you are a first-time author trying to get across the finish line alive and sane or an old pro with a touch of writer’s block.

Please note that I provide developmental editing and coaching services only. I no longer offer copyediting or proofreading. Thank you.