The Developmental Editing Process
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
I see our working partnership as a true collaboration with the ultimate goal of helping you live and write with compassion, authenticity, and power. I want to help you transform how you see yourself as a writer and the quality of your work. I take a holistic approach to refining both your identity as a writer and your unique writing process.
PART 1. THE FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION
The first step is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me. This brief consultation is an opportunity for you to share your needs, ask any questions, or relay any details that you think I should know about. My job will be to listen attentively and offer a plan that suits your needs.
PART II. INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT SESSIONS
Individual support sessions consist of weekly (sometimes 2x a week) hour-long meetings. The purpose of these sessions is to provide targeted individualized support, catered to your academic and writing goals. Usually, these sessions take place during the first 2-3 of months of working together followed by shorter weekly, biweekly, or monthly 15-minute/30-minute check-in sessions.
PART 111. TECHNICAL & CONTENT EDITING
Technical and content editing involves independent, asynchronous editing on my part; depending on your preferences, we can continue to have 15-minute or 30-minute weekly check-ins during this part of the process.
I see our working partnership as a true collaboration with the ultimate goal of helping you live and write with compassion, authenticity, and power. I want to help you transform how you see yourself as a writer and the quality of your work. I take a holistic approach to refining both your identity as a writer and your unique writing process.
PART 1. THE FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION
The first step is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me. This brief consultation is an opportunity for you to share your needs, ask any questions, or relay any details that you think I should know about. My job will be to listen attentively and offer a plan that suits your needs.
PART II. INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT SESSIONS
Individual support sessions consist of weekly (sometimes 2x a week) hour-long meetings. The purpose of these sessions is to provide targeted individualized support, catered to your academic and writing goals. Usually, these sessions take place during the first 2-3 of months of working together followed by shorter weekly, biweekly, or monthly 15-minute/30-minute check-in sessions.
- During each session, we identify the content of our meeting and follow up with action items; for example, we might discuss feelings of imposter syndrome and generate strategies to implement the next week; we might discuss specific edits and areas for improvement relative to your writing and agree upon writing goals to complete by the following week's session.
- The content of each session is mutually agreed upon, based on your specific needs and goals.
PART 111. TECHNICAL & CONTENT EDITING
Technical and content editing involves independent, asynchronous editing on my part; depending on your preferences, we can continue to have 15-minute or 30-minute weekly check-ins during this part of the process.
Developmental Editing FAQ
What is a developmental editor?
Think of a developmental editor as an all-in-one personal mentor, technical editor, and thought partner for your academic project(s) or situation. As a developmental editor, I help guide you in the writing development process and on your academic journey– I will meet you WHEREVER you are, no judgment, only support.
What does developmental editing consist of?
Developmental editing consists of editing, 1:1 consulting sessions, or a combination of both.
- Editing can involve a combination of technical, content, and developmental editing or exclusively one or the other, depending on your needs.
- Technical Editing includes items such as: correcting technical errors such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word usage. It can also include correcting APA citations. Please note I am only an expert in APA citations, not other formatting styles.
- Content Editing includes items such as: eliminating wordiness, triteness, and inappropriate jargon; smoothing transitions and moving sentences to improve readability; suggesting and sometimes implementing additions and deletions; and enforcing consistent style and tone.
- Developmental Editing is a form of writing support that comes into play before, during, or after the production of a publishable manuscript including but not limited to talking through a writing project(s).
- 1:1 consulting sessions are 15, 30, 60, or 90 minute sessions that take place virtually (usually via Zoom). Depending on your needs, these sessions can be used to talk through ideas, concerns, and/or issues related to your writing process or academic situation. They can also be used to follow up on specific writing feedback and as a space to safely and comfortably get advice.
How do I know if I need a developmental editor?
If you are a doctoral student, post-doc, faculty member, or academic staff person that needs guidance, editing, and/or accountability for a project, dissertation, thesis, manuscript, article, book project, or tenure dossier - a developmental editor is for you.
How much does developmental editing cost?
- It depends on several factors including length of project, extent of support needed, and time period.
- There are three packages to choose from (5 hours, 10 hours, and 20 hours).
- For more details on pricing, see PRICING.
What editing package do you suggest?
In general, I suggest the following editing packages, but there are always exceptions.
- 20 hours - You have a larger project (like a dissertation, several articles, a book) or anticipate working with us for longer than one month.
- 10 hours - You have a small/medium project in development that needs editing, anticipate wanting check-ins or 1:1 sessions, and anticipate working with me for less than a month.
- 5 hours - You have a small project in its final stage such as a peer-reviewed article that needs editing.
What might a package look like?
For example, if you purchase 20 hours, we will create a customizable package that suits your specific needs. If you're wondering what it might look like, here's are a few samples.
- 1 hour: First Session (Sharing Your Academic Path, Developing Your Timeline, Establishing Our Working Relationship)
- 4 hours: 4 hour-long writing development sessions (Talking through ideas, Reviewing feedback, Outlining a paper)
- 5 hours: 1:1 Check-In Sessions (Regular accountability and wellness check-ins of 15, 30, 60 and/or 90 minute duration)
- 10 hours: Document editing
Do you use AI?
In adherence to the principles of responsible and ethical AI usage, I recognize the importance of ensuring that AI technologies are employed in a manner that upholds integrity, fairness, and respect for all individuals. As part of this commitment, I have implemented a comprehensive ethical use of AI policy within my editing services.
- Data Privacy: I prioritize the privacy and security of client data. All information shared with me during the editing process is treated with strict confidentiality, and it is never stored or utilized for purposes beyond the agreed-upon editing services.
- Respect for Intellectual Property: I respect the intellectual property rights of my clients. The editing contract ensures that any content shared with me remains the sole property of the client, and I will not claim ownership or reproduce it without explicit permission.
- Transparent Communication: I strive to maintain clear and transparent communication with my clients regarding the involvement of AI technologies in the editing process. I provide information about the tools used, their limitations, and the human oversight involved to ensure that clients are informed and have control over their work.
- Continuous Learning and Improvement: I am committed to staying informed about emerging AI ethics guidelines and industry best practices. I regularly review and update my policies to align with evolving ethical standards, ensuring that my editing services promote responsible and beneficial AI usage.
Do you do all of the editing work or do you subcontract to other editors?
I do all of my own editing work - this ensures quality control and assurance that I approach your work with care and integrity. The only exception to this is formatting which my editorial assistant manages.
Do you work with clients whose first language is not English?
Absolutely! My first language is Spanish and I got my start in and found my love for editing when my mom went back to college in her 40's as a mother of six. I edited ALL of her papers and am proud to say we both graduated from college the same year. I've also worked with hundreds on non-native speaking students, academics, and clients.
Do you format documents per my university’s requirements?
I do offer overall formatting services with the help of my editorial assistant. Dissertation formatting refers to the following:
1. **Font and Text Size**: Using a particular font and size for your text, usually something like Times New Roman, 12-point.
2. **Spacing**: Making sure there's the right amount of space between lines and paragraphs.
3. **Margins**: Setting the margins (the space around the edges of each page) to a certain size.
4. **Page Numbers**: Adding page numbers in the correct format and location.
5. **Headings**: Styling chapter and section headings consistently.
6. **Citations**: Citing your sources in APA style and listing them at the end of your work.
7. **Tables and Figures**: Formatting tables, charts, and images so they look clear and professional.
8. **Title Page**: Creating a title page with all the necessary information.
9. **Table of Contents**: Building a table of contents that guides readers to different sections of your paper.
10. **References**: Making sure your list of references or bibliography is correctly formatted.
Think of dissertation formatting as the "dress code" for your dissertation. It ensures that your work is presented in a standardized and professional manner, making it easier for others to read and understand. Following these formatting rules is essential to meet academic standards and make a good impression on your readers and evaluators.
1. **Font and Text Size**: Using a particular font and size for your text, usually something like Times New Roman, 12-point.
2. **Spacing**: Making sure there's the right amount of space between lines and paragraphs.
3. **Margins**: Setting the margins (the space around the edges of each page) to a certain size.
4. **Page Numbers**: Adding page numbers in the correct format and location.
5. **Headings**: Styling chapter and section headings consistently.
6. **Citations**: Citing your sources in APA style and listing them at the end of your work.
7. **Tables and Figures**: Formatting tables, charts, and images so they look clear and professional.
8. **Title Page**: Creating a title page with all the necessary information.
9. **Table of Contents**: Building a table of contents that guides readers to different sections of your paper.
10. **References**: Making sure your list of references or bibliography is correctly formatted.
Think of dissertation formatting as the "dress code" for your dissertation. It ensures that your work is presented in a standardized and professional manner, making it easier for others to read and understand. Following these formatting rules is essential to meet academic standards and make a good impression on your readers and evaluators.
do you accept institutional funds?
Absolutely! At least half of my clients use institutional funds (grants funding, start-up funds, professional development funds) to pay for my services. Leave the institutional paperwork to me.
do you provide discounts?
For first time-clients who sign up for my monthly newsletter, I offer a 10% discount on the first service.