By Gloria G. Adams
You’ve written the first draft of your manuscript.
You’ve revised it.
And revised it some more.
Your critique group has given you feedback.
But you still think it needs more work.
Maybe you’ve sent it out to several publishers and agents, but no one has picked it up.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to look for an editor.
There are several different kinds of editors.
Three of the major ones are copy editors, proofreaders, and developmental
editors.
Copy editors
A copy editor will check line by line for the following:
- Spelling
- Capitalization
- Word
usage and repetition/overuse of words
- Dialogue
tags
- Usage
of numbers
- Point
of view
- Tense
- Inconsistencies
with characters, world building, etc.
A proofreader looks for inconsistencies in:
- Language use
- Grammar
- Style
- Layout
- Typography
A developmental editor looks for “big picture” issues such
as:
- Character development
- Dialogue
- Point of view
- Story Arc
- Plot
- Tense
- Voice
- Pace
- Theme
Eight years ago, my friend and critique partner, author Jean Daigneau and I started a developmental editing company. To make it unique, we named it Two-4-One Kid Critiques because we offer two separate critique edits for the price of one.
Here are some questions to ask that we’ve come up with over the years:
- Does your character change from beginning to end or show emotional growth?
- If applicable, do subplots work seamlessly into the story?
- Can you write out your book’s story in one sentence?
- Does your dialogue sound authentic?
- Can you clearly define your intent for your story, your character(s), and your reader?
- Is there enough tension to keep your reader engaged?
- Is your vocabulary appropriate for your target audience?
- Do you have a complete story arc?
- Does your pace match the action in the story?
- Are you using enough action verbs or too many passive verbs?
- Are you spending too many words on back story?
- Have you added a lot of sensory details so your readers will relate to your characters?
- Will your page turns/chapter endings keep your reader turning the pages?
- Is your word count within the expected range for your book’s reading level?
- Does your setting compliment your story, and are your world building details consistent?
If you’d like help answering these questions or have the
need to hire a developmental editor,
we’re here to help!
Check out our website: Two-4-One Kid Critiques, or email us: two4onekidcritiques@gmail.com
Jean Daigneau writes fiction and nonfiction for ages 3-12. Her latest nonfiction titles include Code Cracking for Kids: Secret Communications Throughout History and Ellis Island and Immigration for Kids: A History. She is represented by Vicki Selvaggio of Storm Literary Agency.
Gloria G. Adams has three new nonfiction picture books out this year: If You Lived Beside the Ocean, If You Lived Beside the Desert, and If You Lived Beside the Forest. She is represented by Lisa Amstutz of Storm Literary Agency.
