Developmental editing, also called structural editing, is the process of refining the structure of a piece of writing to ensure that it is coherent and is easy to understand. It is often an essential step in publishing a book, article or other written works.
The simple answer is that it depends on what you are hoping to achieve with your writing. If you are looking for feedback on how to improve the clarity, coherence, and efficiency of your writing, developmental editing is a great way to go.
Here are some of the benefits of hiring a developmental editor:
Get feedback on the structure and content of your written pieces.
A developmental editor can review your writing for its style, flow and readability, allowing you to make necessary changes before submitting your work.
Get guidance on how to best present your material.
A developmental editor can help you organize your thoughts and can help clarify your message.
Gain a better understanding of the publishing process.
A developmental editor can walk you through the different steps of getting your writing ready for publication, from editing and proofreading to formatting and layout.
Get unbiased, third-party feedback to make sure your writing is effective and error-free.
Developmental editors can give you an objective and fresh perspective on your writing, ensuring that it is coherent and that it meets the standards of the publishing industry.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether you need a developmental editor or not. If you need help in structuring and refining your written pieces, then the benefits of hiring a developmental editor may be well worth the investment.