Developmental editing

Developmental editors typically don't make the changes directly to the manuscript but instead provide guidance and suggestions, although some "hands-on editing is used to illustrate principles of craft and mechanics.

If by the end of a book/publication the reader doesn’t feel their needs have been met (that the publication didn’t deliver on its promises), then the developmental editor hasn’t done their job in helping meet the mission and vision set out in the book’s proposal.

[10] In textbook publishing, the developmental editor may be responsible for creating the outline to guide the author's writing—and may also prepare short parts of text, such as legends, exercises, and supporting materials.

[12] First, researchers may recognize their inability to produce a manuscript with reasonable chances of passing peer review in their target journal; they may contact a language professional for assistance and guidance during the writing process.

In addition, researchers whose manuscript has suffered multiple rejections[13] from different journals may seek help resolving the complex issues raised by peer reviewers.

Mentoring programs using a developmental editing approach to teach scholarly writing skills have been offered, for example, by an international education journal[14] and at a US medical school.

[15] Developmental editing is also at the heart of AuthorAID, a program that matches authors from the developing world with experienced scientist mentors and professional editors to improve the dissemination of knowledge from poor countries.

[17] Adam O'Connor Rodriguez, senior editor at Hawthorn books, splits the tasks of developmental fiction editing into three main parts: structure, narrative, and language.