When it comes to book editing there is no method more in-depth or detailed than Developmental or Substantive Editing. This is because compared to other forms of book editing this form of editing is so much more detailed.
Its one main difference from other forms of book editing is the fact that the editing is being done while the book is being written. While in other forms editing can only be done when the entire book is finished. Of course, this form of editing is a somewhat new concept for most people. Which is why it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of having your book edited this way.
Here are the pros and cons of Developmental Editing:
Pros
- It is very thorough
Compared to other forms of editing where most of the work is done after the book is made, Developmental Editing is so much more thorough. This is because this form of editing is involved at the very start of the book. With Developmental Editing the editor is not only expected to make corrections on grammar and vocabulary. They are also expected to make modifications on the plots and have a hand in the writing process.
The editor’s main thought would be if the entire book fits together into a coherent whole, and because of this, the editor would not think twice in completely restructuring the book. Just as long as it the best it could possibly be.
- It is a very clean process
Compared to other forms of editing, Developmental Editing is so much neater. This is because the editing is done during the writing process. This means that there are far fewer grammar mistakes made and thus far fewer corrections to be made. This would free you from unnecessary and time-consuming work.
- The sentence composition is better
Due to Developmental editing’s very thorough nature, the sentence composition is so much clearer. This is because the editor has a hand in the sentence construction from the very start. Which means it is well arranged, to begin with. It would also mean that there are fewer corrections to keep track of.
Cons
- It is pricey
Due to its thorough nature, Developmental Editing is quite pricey. The prices for this form of editing ranges from the hundreds to the thousands, depending on who you hire. It also depends on the length of your book and the skill of the editor you hire.
- The quality varies
The quality of the editing truly depends on the skill of the editor you hire. And sometimes the price does not match the skill of the editor. You would be surprised when an editor you hired for a large sum turns out to be an amateur. Which is why you should be very careful when you hire an editor for your work.
Like all other forms of editing, Developmental Editing has advantages and disadvantages that make it an asset to writers. It is up to you to weigh them up and decide whether to use it or not.