Developmental Editing, Second Edition

Scott Norton was formerly a developmental editor at the University of California Press, where he eventually served as the director of editing, design, and production before retiring in 2020.

• PrefaceIntroduction What Developmental Editing IsWhom This Book Is ForWhat This Book CoversHow to Use the Exercise PacketSome Ground RulesA Few Notes about Cultural Assumptions 1. Concept: Shaping the Proposal Author Profile: The VeteranClient Profile: The AgentAssignment: The Proposal with Too Many ConceptsLocate the ConceptProfile the AudienceEvaluate Market PotentialBring the Vision into Focus 2. Content: Assessing Potential Author Profile: The First-TimerClient Profile: The Big Trade HouseAssignment: The Tome with Too Many SubjectsSize Up the AuthorSize Up the PublisherSize Up the DECreate a Content SummaryFind the Main SubjectExercises 3. Thesis: Finding the Hook Author Profile: The CoauthorsClient Profile: The Small Trade HouseAssignment: The Study with Too Many ThesesCull Theses from TopicsBeware of the RehashChoose the Main ThesisCreate a Working TitleExercises 4. Narrative: Tailoring the Timeline Author Profile: The HistorianClient Profile: The CopublisherAssignment: The Sprawling SagaUntangle Timelines from ArgumentsFind the Main TimelinesBrainstorm Timeline StrategiesCompose the New TimelineFine-Tune the TimelineRestore Bits of ArgumentExercises 5. Exposition: Deploying the Argument Author Profile: The TheoristClient Profile: The University PressAssignment: The Theory with Too Many TangentsUntangle Arguments from TimelinesFind the Main ArgumentsBrainstorm Argument StrategiesCompose the New ArgumentFine-Tune the ArgumentRestore Bits of TimelineExercises 6. Plan: Drafting a Blueprint Write Up the PlanCompose Chapter ThesesIntervene StrategicallyExercises 7. Rhythm: Setting the Pace Author Profile: The Sole AuthorityClient Profile: The Regional HouseAssignment: The Local History Turned PersonalRearrange the FurnitureDraft New PassagesBalance Chapter WeightsEdit for PaceExercises 8. Transitions: Filling in the Blanks Author Profile: The Dead AuthorClient Profile: The Self-PublisherAssignment: The Memoir with LapsesCreate Opening TransitionsCreate Closing TransitionsDraw ConclusionsPlace Those ConclusionsExercises 9. Style: Training the Voice Author Profile: The JournalistClient Profile: The Book PackagerAssignment: The Story with Too Many VoicesSet the ToneParse the RhetoricMaster AbstractionGauge the IroniesHarmonize the Voices 10. Display: Dressing Up the Text Author Profile: The Author-for-HireClient Profile: The Trade Reference HouseAssignment: The Guidebook with Poor SignageConsider SubheadsAnticipate the E-VersionConsider EpigraphsDraft an Art PlanIllustrate ConceptsVisualize DataTest-Drive MapsAdd Lagniappe 11. Fiction: Weaving the Dream Author Profile: The FriendClient Profile: The Genre BoutiqueAssignment: The Novel with Genre DysphoriaVet the PremiseScope Out the FormPosition the NarratorScout the SettingKnow the GenreAdvance the PlotRender the CharactersSweat the Details Afterword to PublishersFurther ReadingAcknowledgmentsIndex

"When I say this eleven-chapter book is an entire semester-long (or longer!) course in everything developmental editing (DE), I do not exaggerate. The material is engaging, relevant, immediately applicable—and just plain amusing. Norton excels in presenting concepts with clarity and coming up with examples aplenty. He is that professor that can lighten the dense, rein in the unwieldy, and still prompt a chuckle or two. . . . This book is one that every publishing professional should dissect and then place on the shelf for future reference."