Developmental editing is not an entry-level position. It’s the type of editing that focuses on the big-picture of how a story works.

If you’ve ever read a novel with an implausible plot, or one that moved so slowly you were too bored to finish, or one that featured a character who made utterly incomprehensible choices – you’ve seen what happens when a story doesn’t work.

Or if you’ve ever read a nonfiction book that left you with more questions than answers, that didn’t explain concepts clearly, or didn’t follow a logical train of thought – you’ve seen what happens when the reader’s experience is ignored and their expectations aren’t met.

Developmental editors are trained to help authors see and solve these big-picture problems.

In other words, developmental editing is not about putting commas in the right place.

Developmental editors have to understand the principles of storytelling (whether fiction or nonfiction), what to do when storytelling techniques fail, and how to use effective editorial techniques to guide authors. The Club Ed certificate program is designed to help editors develop these skills for use with both publishing company clients and independent author clients.

Editors in the program are required to take fourteen classes designed to build and challenge their editorial skills. Most take more than the minimum to ensure they know what they’re doing. The capstone course requires students to edit an entire manuscript under supervision before they can be awarded the certificate.

The training is serious: students spend on average 325 hours doing the work required to earn the certificate.

Students learn what an effective editorial query is and how to shape one; how to identify and solve developmental problems in a manuscript; how to create effective arguments to explain their recommendations; and how to provide their guidance in a supportive and helpful way.

Interested in learning more about the program? You’ll find further details here (fiction) and here (nonfiction).