How to Be Developmental Editor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 2, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a developmental editor, you will need to earn a Bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field. During your studies, you should take courses in editing, writing, grammar, and literature.
Gain Experience. Consider interning or working as a copy editor to gain experience in the field. This will give you valuable insight into the editing process and help you develop the skills needed for a career as a developmental editor.
Become Familiar with Publishing Software. As a developmental editor, you will need to be familiar with industry-standard publishing software such as Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat. Consider taking a course or two to learn how to use them.
Get Certified. Consider becoming a Certified Professional Editor (CPE) through the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). This certification is highly regarded in the publishing industry and may help you stand out when looking for jobs.
Develop Your Network. Start building relationships with editors, authors, and publishers. Join professional organizations and attend events to make connections and learn more about the industry.
Apply. Start applying for jobs as a developmental editor at publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, or websites. You may also want to look for freelance opportunities.

In order to stay ahead and remain competent, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices. This requires an ongoing commitment to continuing education and professional development. taking on projects that challenge and stimulate creativity and problem-solving abilities can help to hone current skills and develop new ones.

Finally, networking with peers and experts in the field can be beneficial in learning new strategies, staying motivated, and staying connected with potential opportunities. All of these efforts combined can help any professional stay ahead and remain competent in their field.

You may want to check Web Content Editor, Online Content Editor, and Copy Editing Supervisor for alternative.

Job Description

Content Development Editor: Develops and edits high-quality academic content for a variety of educational materials.
Copy Editor: Reviews and corrects manuscripts to ensure adherence to strict editorial and grammar standards.
Structural Editor: Analyzes manuscripts to identify any structural issues and make recommendations for improvement.
Manuscript Development Editor: Evaluates the quality of manuscripts and makes suggestions for improvement.
Digital Content Editor: Designs, creates, and maintains digital content for educational materials.
Publication Coordinator: Coordinates the publication process from manuscript submission to final publication.
Publishing Consultant: Advises authors and publishers on best practices in the publishing process.
Substantive Editor: Provides detailed feedback on manuscripts to ensure accuracy and consistency in content, style, and formatting.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong communication skills
Comprehensive knowledge of the publishing industry
Expertise in grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Knowledge of different writing styles and genres
Ability to work with writers to develop their ideas and stories
Ability to provide detailed feedback to authors
Excellent organizational skills
Proficiency in using software and technology related to editing
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Understanding of copyright laws and ethical considerations related to editing

The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills a developmental editor should possess. Being able to understand the clients needs and explain the process to them in an easy-to-understand way is key to success. having a keen eye for detail and the ability to recognize mistakes or inconsistencies in text is essential.

Good organizational skills are also necessary to manage multiple projects at once and keep track of deadlines. Finally, a deep understanding of grammar and punctuation rules is required in order to properly edit documents. All of these skills are necessary to be a successful developmental editor, as they help ensure that the clients needs are met and that the final product is of the highest quality.

Editorial Assistant, Copy Desk Chief/Editor, and Production Editor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How have you kept up to date with the latest trends in developmental editing?
What experience do you have working with authors to develop their manuscripts?
How would you approach working with a first-time author on their manuscript?
What strategies do you use for line editing and copy editing?
Describe your experience working with authors to identify and address structural changes needed in their manuscripts.
What processes do you use to ensure accuracy and consistency in a manuscript?
How do you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines when working on multiple manuscripts simultaneously?
What techniques do you use to provide constructive feedback to authors?
How would you handle challenging feedback from authors about changes you recommend to their manuscripts?
Describe your experience working with publishers or other stakeholders during the manuscript development process.

Common Tools in Industry

Adobe Acrobat Pro. This is a PDF editing and creation software that allows users to add, edit, delete, and organize text and images within a PDF file. (Eg: Adding text to a PDF, creating fillable forms, signing documents digitally)
Microsoft Word. This is a word processing software that can be used for creating, editing and formatting documents. (Eg: Writing and editing blog posts, creating resumes and cover letters)
Text Expander. This is a text automation tool that allows users to write short phrases that expand into longer snippets of text. (Eg: Automatically entering frequently used phrases or blocks of code)
Grammarly. This is an automated grammar and writing improvement tool that can be used to detect errors in spelling, grammar, and writing style. (Eg: Checking for typos and making sure sentences are properly structured and written clearly)
Copyscape. This is a plagiarism checker which can be used to detect plagiarism in written content. (Eg: Checking for duplicate content in articles and blog posts)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR)
Association of American Publishers (AAP)
Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)
National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE)
Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP)
Editors Association of Canada (EAC)
Council of Science Editors (CSE)
The Authors Guild
International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers (STM)
Association of Educational Publishers (AEP)

We also have Technical Editor, News Editor, and Features Editor jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Copyeditor. A professional who reviews written material for grammar, punctuation, and spelling accuracy.
Line Editor. An editor who works closely with the author to review and suggest revisions to the text at the sentence level.
Content Editor. An editor who reviews and evaluates a manuscript's overall content and organization, providing feedback and making suggestions for improvement.
Proofreader. An editor who reviews a manuscript for typographical errors, formatting issues, and other mistakes that may have been missed during the copyediting process.
Fact-Checker. An editor who verifies all the facts in the manuscript to ensure accuracy.
Indexer. An editor who creates an index for a book, usually after the book is published.
Developmental Editor. An editor who works closely with the author to review and suggest revisions to the text at the structural level, such as plot, characterization, and pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Developmental Editor? A1: A Developmental Editor is a professional editor who specializes in working with authors to develop and refine their manuscripts to ensure they are ready for publication. Q2: What responsibilities does a Developmental Editor have? A2: A Developmental Editor will work closely with the author to provide guidance and feedback on structure, style, content, and organization of the manuscript. They will help the author refine their narrative and ensure their writing is polished and engaging. Q3: How does a Developmental Editor help an author? A3: A Developmental Editor can help an author by providing detailed feedback on how to improve their manuscript and make it more effective. They can also provide advice on best practices for structuring a book, editing for clarity, and ensuring the authors voice shines through. Q4: What qualifications should a Developmental Editor have? A4: A Developmental Editor should have a minimum of a bachelors degree in English, Journalism or a related field, as well as experience writing, editing and proofreading. They should also have knowledge of the publishing industry and an understanding of different types of writing. Q5: How much does a Developmental Editor charge? A5: Rates vary depending on the scope of the project and the experience of the editor. Generally, a Developmental Editor will charge an hourly rate or a flat fee for their services.

Web Resources

Developmental Editing - University of Chicago Press press.uchicago.edu
Developmental Editing Course - UCLA Extension www.uclaextension.edu
EDIT21300 - Introduction to Developmental Editing - University of grahamcourses.uchicago.edu