Do You Need a Developmental Editor?
What they really do, when to bring one in, and how to make the most of the partnership.
"This week I’ve been thinking less about technology and more about story, the way it sneaks into our lives at odd hours. A sentence that comes in the shower. A character who interrupts me while I’m brushing my teeth. Writing is messy like that, but it’s also where the magic lives. And then, suddenly, you find yourself staring at a first or second draft, the critical point where the real work begins. That’s what I want to share with you today."
What Is a Developmental Edit?
A developmental edit is editorial feedback designed to help an author strengthen and develop a manuscript between early drafts and before it is ready for copyediting, proofreading, or publication.
This feedback may include a critique letter, an editorial report, and sometimes light line editing, but not often. The focus is on the big-picture elements: story structure, pacing, character arcs, plot holes, point of view, and whether the manuscript delivers on the promises of its genre. A good critique letter highlights both strengths and weaknesses so the author can revise with confidence.
Why Developmental Editing Matters
I hadn’t worked with a developmental editor for a couple of years, not since the publication of my fifth book. Don’t get me wrong: developmental editors are invaluable, especially when you are first beginning your writing journey. They can keep you from spinning your wheels, help you save time, and prevent hair-pulling mistakes like writing in the wrong POV, letting the middle sag, or delivering a weak ending.
But they are also expensive. It’s often best to take your manuscript as far as you can on your own, get feedback from critique partners, writing groups, a book coach, and then hire a developmental editor. If you are without critique partners or a writing group you might want to check out the story that appeared in a past post on Danika Bloom’s Author Ever-After Community here.
There are moments when a developmental editor is worth the investment, even later in your writing career. For example:
Something feels “off” in the manuscript, an incomplete arc, a plot hole, or simply an unidentifiable gap you can’t solve alone.
Beta readers offer vague or unhelpful feedback, and you need more specific guidance.
You’re switching genres and want to be sure you’re hitting that genre’s expected norms.
You’re preparing to query agents or pitch to publishers and want to make the strongest possible impression.
Finding a Developmental Editor
You can start by asking trusted writing friends for recommendations. But consider whether they write in your genre and whether you like the quality of their work.
If word-of-mouth isn’t an option, platforms like Reedsy and Upwork list freelance developmental editors. My experiences on both have ranged widely:
Early in my career, one Reedsy editor dismissed my book as “not appropriate” and suggested I abandon writing altogether. I nearly gave up. Instead, I found another editor through Reedsy who, while critical of some of the dark subject matter, gave me constructive tools to improve.
Later, I worked with RAMP (Romance Writers of America’s program), where I was paired with a published author who helped me shape Truth Moon into a publishable manuscript. That experience affirmed the power of the right editor. Other authors can and do make excellent editors. Often, they struggle to diagnose what is not working in their own work, but can identify what is wrong with everyone else’s. An amusing, but true thing.
On Upwork, I discovered one of the best editors I’ve ever worked with, someone I first hired as a beta reader. Her feedback was so thorough that I realized she was far more than a casual reader, and after reading her resume, I discovered she was indeed an editor and had worked for a publisher. I continued working with her on editing projects from that point forward when I needed one.
The lesson? If an editor doesn’t help you, hire another one. Do not give up.
My 2025 Experience
Recently, I returned to Reedsy while seeking a developmental editor for my new manuscript, Zero & One. Unlike my usual romance novels, this book is not a romance. I saw this is contemporary fiction; a blend of gothic and sci-fi.
Some of the editors of contemporary women’s fiction weren’t interested in the AI aspects of the story, and others dismissed the haunted house portion as horror. I sent my bio, a plot summary, and two thousand words of sample chapters, but without success.
Finally, I reached out to Alexander Wright at Reedsy, who pre-selected four editors with the right background. On the first try, I found one. The editor had worked for publishers, understood genre-bending projects, and her analysis of my sample was perceptive and spot-on. Interestingly, her background was in sci-fi. I signed a contract, despite her schedule being booked until October 14.
A note here: freelance editors’ schedules often book months in advance. Begin your search early. On Reedsy, please note that half of the payment is due upfront when you sign the contract, with the remainder due upon completion.
Tips for Choosing the Right Developmental Editor
Look for genre experience. An editor who knows your genre (and its market expectations) can make your manuscript shine.
Consider career goals. If you plan to query agents or pursue traditional publishing, find an editor with publishing-house or agenting background. If you’re indie, seek someone who knows what sells in your niche.
Request a test read. Ask for feedback on 1,600–2,000 words. The best editors will provide clear criticism, not just compliments, and suggest workable solutions.
Be ready to act. Hiring a developmental editor is an investment of time, money, and emotional energy. If you’re unwilling to consider changes, it may not be worth it.
Final Thought
A developmental editor won’t write your book for you. But the right one can help you see your story with new eyes, help you strengthen your craft, and move your manuscript from “almost there” to publishable.
And don’t forget, you’ll still need a line edit on this puppy.
If one editor tells you to give up, don’t listen. Your voice matters. Find the editor who sees what you’re trying to do and believes you can get there.
Please leave a comment on your experience with developmental editors:
