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The work that goes into a book even before the writing begins can bring benefits giving the writer an edge in today's competitive marketplace.
Editorial development is an earlier stage of the publishing process. It is an important, and often crucial, stage commonly overlooked by authors, many of whom in fact are probably unaware that there is such an activity as editorial development. Most authors realize that a finished manuscript of theirs will probably need some editing. But few authors realize there is such an activity as editorial development which can not only reduce possible eventual editing on a finished manuscript, but may even eliminate the need for it. Ordinarily, by being mindful of marketing considerations for a book, editorial development also greatly increases the chances of finding a publisher for it once it is completed. Although there is some overlap between editorial development and editing, they are two different activities with regard to a book. Editing takes place after a manuscript is finished, whereas editorial development takes place before a manuscript is begun, or in its very early stages. Whereas editing tries to improve aspects of a finished manuscript, editorial development aims to conceive the structure, slant, and interrelated elements of a book to help the author have a better hold of it before putting hundreds of hours into writing it. In many cases, editorial development also informs the author of market realities his or her book will face so the author can try to position a book to increase its chance of getting picked up by a publisher. An editor is like a doctor called in to treat problems of a finished book. Editorial development, on the other hand, is like the practice of preventive medicine to ensure that problems don’t develop in the first place. Editorial development isn’t for every author. But for nearly all kinds of trade nonfiction and popular fiction, it can have an important part in the success of a book. Here are several considerations to keep in mind in deciding if your book project could benefit from editorial development: (1) By giving you guidance for creating a more professional, marketable book, editorial development can make your book more attractive to agents and publishers. (2) Editorial development can make the writing of your book more efficient; which can save you many hours of work on it and bring you to the point of seeking an agent or publisher sooner. (3) Editorial development can help you include elements in your book to broaden its market and increase the chances for rights sales, both primary considerations for publishers. (4) By helping you see your book as a publisher would see it, editorial development can help you to write the kind of book a publisher would be looking for. (5) Editorial development can help you prepare a professional proposal and sample chapters to present to agents or publishers to find out if there is any interest in your book. (6) By working with a publishing professional with lengthy and broad experience, you will get an inside picture of the way the publishing field works that will help you not only with your present book, but future books. (7) Editorial development can save you from having to hire a book doctor; or if you do hire one, reduce the work he or she has to do on your manuscript. So don’t overlook the importance of editorial development. It should be the first step for your book ideas. Publishers spend considerable time on editorial development with books originating in-house. And all successful authors have learned its value in preparing them to work efficiently, methodically, and knowledgeably on their books.
The copyright of the article Getting an Edge in Your Writing in Resources for Writers is owned by Henry Berry. Permission to republish Getting an Edge in Your Writing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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