Behind the Scenes of a Developmental Edit: How I Approach Your Manuscript
Handing your manuscript to someone else—especially someone you don’t know well yet—can feel like handing over a piece of your heart. It’s vulnerable, it’s personal, and it often comes with a big question: What exactly does a developmental editor do once they have my book in their hands?
In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on my developmental editing process—what it looks like step by step, how we collaborate, and what you can expect from me along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how developmental editing works, or what makes an editorial partnership truly effective, this post is for you.
Quick Refresh: What Is Developmental Editing?
Developmental editing is a service that provides big-picture editing to shape your book’s structure, message, clarity, and flow.
Developmental editing an imperative step in the manuscript development process, one that comes before services like content editing, copy editing, line editing, and proofreading, which are other services you may have been reading up on.
This step makes your book stronger, not just cleaner.
Interested in learning more about getting a developmental edit? Learn more about my developmental editing service here!
Before We Begin
Before jumping into a new project, I almost always connect with authors on a short call to get to know each other. This is the call I schedule when someone reaches out wanting to know more about my services and approach. It’s a chance for us to connect, talk about your project at a high level, and see whether we’re a good fit to work together.
You’ll get a clear sense of my process, how I work with authors, and what kind of support I offer. I’ll ask a few foundational questions about your book and goals to get a sense of what you're building and how I can help.
This is also your chance to interview me. If you’re wondering how to evaluate a potential editor, check out my blog post: 10 Smart Questions to Ask a Book Coach or Editor before You Hire Them.
When we decide to move forward—whether that’s on the call, immediately after, or even weeks later—I’ll send over onboarding materials and we’ll schedule your editorial start date.
This is when step 1 in the process truly begins.
Step-by-Step: How I Approach a Developmental Edit
Step 1: Going Deeper
Once we decide to move forward, our first official meeting goes much deeper than the initial discovery call. We’ll talk about your goals, audience, voice, and the purpose behind your book. Even if we touched on these themes in the introductory call, this session is more intentional and strategic. We’ll also go over timelines and scheduling to ensure the process works with your life and creative rhythm. I’ll ask pointed questions to surface the clearest possible direction for the edit and your message as a whole.
What you believe is strongest in your draft so far
Where you’ve shared this story (or parts of it), and how people have responded
Which authors you admire and which stories inspire you
What you’re unsure about, struggling with, or even quietly insecure about
What your long-term goals are, including publishing paths you’re considering
All of this helps me edit your book. This is one thing that sets my approach apart. I get a feel for who you are beyond the page, which helps me make suggestions that stay true to your voice and your intentions. Retaining the author’s authentic voice is my first priority as an editor, and this step ensures we protect it throughout the project.
Step 2: High-Level Review & Editorial Assessment
After our call, I complete a broad, strategic review of your manuscript. This isn’t a deep line-by-line pass, but it’s not a skim either. I’m reading with my whole editorial brain, looking for:
Structural issues or missing pieces
The flow and flavor of your writing
Repeated patterns or habits that may undermine your message
Mechanical or stylistic issues that need early flagging
During this read, I start building what I call an editorial assessment, which is a document that outlines:
What my editorial eye sees in your draft
What I plan to address and improve
Most importantly, I explain why those changes will serve your goals as an author
After this review, I reconnect so I can walk you through the assessment before diving into heavier edits. This step is all about alignment and clarity. It ensures we’re heading in the right direction together.
Why this matters: Many editors skip this stage entirely. I don’t. I believe authors deserve transparency and a say in the direction before deep edits begin. My process is not a transactional one; it is deeply collaborative and thoughtful.
Want expert publishing insight but at a lower investment? Check out my manuscript assessment service here.
Step 3: Deep Developmental Edit & Collaboration
With alignment in place, I begin a deep, multi-pass review of your manuscript. This stage usually includes at least two full editorial passes, where I:
Line-edit directly for clarity, flow, and cohesion
Rework sections that need stronger organization or transitions
Leave margin comments to query, explain changes, or offer options that I can implement after your approval
Suggest additions or deletions to support pacing or emotional resonance
After the full edit, I send the manuscript back to you—this time with the expectation that you take your time reviewing and responding. You’ll:
Answer my in-line queries and questions
Make any further adjustments directly in the document
Let the edits settle before returning the file to me for next steps
Many authors choose to schedule a follow-up call here to talk through bigger picture changes or questions.
Step 4: Second Review & Editorial Refinement
Once I receive your updated draft, I go back in for a second major review. At this stage, I focus on:
Your responses to my queries and suggested edits
Any unresolved issues or lingering gaps
Language tightening and further improvements for clarity or rhythm
This is where we truly polish your message and smooth any final rough edges. If anything significant arises here, we reconnect again to talk it through. I want you to feel fully supported and confident in what’s on the page.
After this edit, I send the manuscript back to you for final author review.
Step 5: Final Copy Edit
Most developmental editors don’t include copy editing in their services, but I do. While some publishing paths (particularly traditional ones) will take your manuscript through their own internal editing processes, it’s important to me that your book is polished, clear, and error-free before it’s sent out into the world. A refined manuscript helps ensure your ideas shine and readers aren't distracted by inconsistencies or surface-level mistakes.
Once I receive the manuscript back, I perform one last pass to:
Ensure consistency across tone, structure, and formatting
Align the manuscript with Chicago Manual of Style standards (the industry-preferred style guide)
Catch anything small that may have surfaced in the revision process
The final product is a fully refined manuscript that reflects your voice, vision, and goals that’s ready for agent submission or independent publishing, depending on your path.
Feel your manuscript is ready for that final edit? Check out my copy editing service here.
Are You Ready to Elevate Your Writing?
Every developmental editing process is a little different, but my goal is always the same: to help you shape a book that sounds like you, connects with your readers, and meets the goals you’ve set for yourself. Whether you’re seeking an agent or self-publishing on your own terms, your manuscript deserves the care and clarity a deep editorial partnership provides.
I work with authors across genres to bring clarity and structure to their ideas—whether that’s through developmental editing or hands-on coaching. Get in touch to explore how we can shape your book together.
Make it stand out
Rebecca Andersen is a developmental editor and book coach helping thought leaders and change-makers bring their books to life.
