The author of 400+ books for children, teens, and adults, I have been working in publishing since 1995. I began working as a developmental editor in 1999. According to Wikipedia, a developmental editor works with writers in two ways.
- Some developmental editors coach writers before the manuscript is submitted.
- Some developmental editors coach writers as they revise after the manuscript is submitted.
Over the years I have worked both ways as a developmental editor. I find it very satisfying to help writers develop their stories. You know your story best. My job is to help you see what you already have – in your imagination and on the page.
“Thank you! You’ve given me some good information and great ideas to work into my story. I think I will be able to make it a much stronger story from your input. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to other writers.” JK
Schedule a Zoom call
- 30-minute developmental critique call on Zoom ($119 USD)
- GOAL: Next steps for your picture book or children’s book chapter
You can schedule your developmental critique call on Zoom during my office hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00-11:30am and 1:30-4:00pm (Pacific Time). The calendar app will show these sessions in your time zone.
After you sign up, the calendar app will send you:
- A confirmation email with the Zoom meeting code
- An instructions email with the information you need to send in your picture book manuscript or children’s book chapter the day before our meeting.
Q. What happens during a developmental critique call?
A. During a developmental critique call, you ask me questions and I ask you questions. As we look at your picture book manuscript or children’s book chapter, we’ll talk about your goals and ways to develop your book to its fullest potential.
The confirmation email (and the reminder message 24 hours before) will come from the email address that you need to send in your entire illustrated book manuscript or children’s book chapter. It will also have the Zoom meeting codes you need to use.
Which critique worksheet should you download?
- If you are calling about an illustrated book (board book, picture book, or easy reader without chapters) use the WIP Picture Book Critique Worksheet.
- If you are calling about your first chapter, use the WIP First Chapter Critique Worksheet
- If you are calling about a later chapter in the book, use the WIP Chapter Critique Worksheet
Please add your questions at the top and use these formatting directions.
Our Zoom critique call meeting will show a “SCREEN SHARE” of your manuscript — so I can make notes ON your manuscript as we talk. As we discuss your work, we’ll come up with new ideas for your next draft. It happens every time!
At the end of our meeting, I’ll share a link to the file so you can download our notes.
Q. Can we talk about my rhyming illustrated book manuscript during a developmental critique call?
A. Yes! A developmental critique call is the perfect opportunity to talk about rhythm and rhyme because we can read the book aloud and critique a scan of your rhyming board book, picture book, or easy reader syllable by syllable..
Q. What is a scan?
A. Checking the meter of a poem is called scanning. The meter most commonly used in rhyming for young readers is accentual verse, the meter used in nursery rhymes.
Rhyming words at the end of the line are the most visible element of a rhyming book for young readers. Another essential element is the rhythm, the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line.
To help us see the rhythm in your book, make a simple scan by marking the stressed syllables in BOLD using the directions on the WIP Rhyming Picture Book Critique Worksheet.
“I wanted to thank you again for your valued edits . . . With your input, I believe the book has improved immensely.” DM
The Six Traits of Writing:
I use the six traits of writing when I write and when I critique. (I learned the hard way that without my six traits checklist, there are simply too many decisions to make and trying to figure out WHERE to start can lead to NOT starting at all.) So I begin at the beginning of the list and move forward one step at a time.
- Ideas
- Organization
- Voice
- Word Choice
- Sentence Fluency
- Conventions (grammar, spelling, and punctuation)
The six traits of writing also cover the three different types of editing.
Developmental editing looks at the BIG Picture. It looks at the structure of the story and examines:
- The Ideas: Can readers follow the logic of the story? Is it believable?
- The Organization: How does the story flow from page to page, from scene to scene? Does the tension build as the pages turn?
- The Voice: Which voice does the story use (first, second, or third person)? Does the story (or chapter) have a single narrator?
Line editing looks the small details. It examines the manuscript line by line, focusing on:
- Word Choice
- Sentence Fluency
Copy editing focuses on the final trait:
- Conventions (grammar, spelling, and punctuation)
I always begin at the top of the six traits list.
Correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation won’t fix a book with flawed logic. Choosing new words for a single sentence doesn’t repair a disorganized story arc. The structure of the story must come first, because if the BIG Picture isn’t ready, your story isn’t publishable yet.
Critique FAQ
Q. Do you offer refunds?
A. No. If you sign up for a critique and need to cancel before you send in the manuscript, please be advised that I charge a $20 handling fee for cancellations. After the manuscript is sent in for critique, fees are NOT REFUNDABLE.
If you are unable to attend your Zoom session or your work isn’t ready on the day you scheduled, please click on the Reschedule button in the reminder email and set up another time.
Q. Will you recommend an agent or a publisher for my book?
A. No. Unlike an acquisitions editor or a literary agent, I am not keeping track of who moves where and what each person prefers.
There are three steps to becoming a published author.
- Write the book.
- Revise the book.
- Sell the book.
You write the words (step 1) and as a developmental editor, I can help you revise those words (step 2). The person who sells books to a publisher (step 3) is a literary agent. (Keeping track of what editors want to buy and negotiating contracts is a full-time job!)
Since 1999
I have worked with adult writers from all levels of the continuum, beginner to already published, since 1999. Some sold their books to traditional publishers while others used my services to develop books that they published themselves.
“We feel blessed to have found you. The developmental editing process you offer is what we needed and will need for future books. We are very grateful for your professional services.” MB
Still have questions? Email me.
Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.