FAQs

What kind of authors do you help?

I've helped a wide range of authors, including people who had never written before, experienced authors, academics, and co-authors. I've helped them at different stages of the book's development, from a couple of chapters in first draft and an outline of the rest of the book, to a full draft that has been rewritten several times, and everything in between.

Some examples of authors I've helped include:

• A first-time author who wasn't sure how to structure their book effectively
• An author who wrote the first draft and realised their book was hugely under the contracted word limit, and needed help identifying where they could expand their argument and add original material
• An academic who wanted to write for a general audience and needed help getting the tone and language style right for their target audience
• An experienced writer who was so close to their material they couldn't review it objectively
• An author putting together a submission package for a publisher and finding the process overwhelming
• A lawyer who wanted to write for a non-specialist audience but was having difficulty expressing complex legal details clearly

For all of these people, their book was incredibly precious to them and they wanted it to be the very best they could make it. In many cases they were simply too close to their material. I was able to look at the book or submission package as a whole, to draw out the argument they wanted to make in the strongest way possible, and to help them showcase their expertise.

If you're not sure how I could help you, about the process of developmental editing, or how I work, please do get in touch using my contact form and I'll get right back to you.

What topics do you cover?

I focus on the following topics:

• social science
• coaching, counselling and wellness
• business and marketing
• history
• true crime (especially historical true crime)

Having said that, I'm always keen to learn new things, so if your subject isn't in the list above, feel free to get in touch to discuss your project using my contact form and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Are you an expert in my topic?

Probably not. I'm a intelligent, well-read reader with an interest in what you have to say - pretty much the same as any literary agent or commissioning editor you might be thinking of approaching, and the same as your target reader.

Developmental editing will help you to present your ideas in the most cogent way to non-experts.

How do you edit my book?

I do an initial quick read of the book and jot down notes about my first impressions of it.

Then I go back through the book and carefully note down any places where I get confused, where I have to turn back to orientate myself, where I lose interest, where the text repeats itself, or where I crave to know more.

I then distill these ideas into a document that sets out my reactions to your book and how I feel you can address any problems I've spotted, whether that's by reorganising the chapters, adding case studies, or diving deeper into the material.

I'll also tell you what I loved about the book, where I was fascinated, intrigued and captivated.

Each book is different, so I might send you a document with my feedback and suggestions, I might add notes to your text, or I might do both. 

Where I add notes to the text, it's likely to be a minor matter such as sentence that's too long or repetition of a point. I also use notes in the text to tell you where I loved the way something is phrased or that your case study was really engaging.

I know how precious your book is and that it takes a great deal of courage to submit work for review. I will treat your book, and you as the author, with sensitivity, kindness and diligence.

What is a 'submission package'?

For non-fiction, many agents and publishers prefer to receive a submission package rather than the complete book. The aim of a submission package is to demonstrate:

• why your book is needed and why it's needed now
• why you're the right person to write this book
• your writing style

Typically, a submission package is made up of:

• a detailed chapter breakdown showing what each chapter will cover
• an author bio - who you are, your expertise and why you're writing the book
• sample chapters, often the first three chapters of the book
• an assessment of comparable titles - which other books have been published recently on the topic, what they cover, what gaps they leave, and the contribution your book will make to the topic

Each agent and publisher has slightly different requirements for the submission package, so make sure you double-check what they're asking for.

What is developmental editing?

Developmental editing looks at the foundations of a book. It might happen when you have written a few chapters and an outline, or after you've completed the book and rewritten it a couple of times.

Developmental editing checks:

• there is enough material to carry the book
• the argument makes sense and develops logically
• the structure supports the book's argument
• examples or case studies are well chosen and enhance the book's argument
• the writing style is appropriate to the audience and topic

Developmental editing might also comment on the book's proposed title, chapter and sub headings.

How does developmental editing differ from copy editing or proofreading?

Developmental editing takes place much earlier in the writing process than copy editing or proofreading, which typically happen when a book is finished and you're getting ready to publish it.

Developmental editing looks at the structure, argument, and content of the book. It will highlight where chapters or sections could be moved to improve the flow of the argument, where the author could go deeper and develop their ideas, or where more information is needed to increase readability. It will also check the tone and style are appropriate to the subject matter and intended audience.

Copy editing checks the text for clarity, flow, and word use. It will also do some fact checking and will ensure consistency in the way numbers are written, capitalisation, and hyphens. Copy editing will highlight any permissions needed for quotations or images used in the book. It will also check the formatting.

Proofreading is a final, meticulous edit of the book before it is published. A proofreader checks the grammar, punctuation and spelling, and will check the layout of the pages.

It can be helpful to think about the different types of editing as akin to making a table:

• Developmental editing checks the legs of the table are the same length, that the top of the table is big enough, and that the table is sturdy and firm
• Copy editing checks all the nails are hammered in and filled, and sands the table down to make it smooth
• Proofreading polishes the table to a high finish

Have questions I haven't covered?

Please get in touch using my contact form. I love hearing from authors and am happy to answer any queries you have about developmental editing and how I might help you and your book.