A development editor worries more about consistency, tone, content, and structure. He monitors each and every page of writing that comes from the author and coordinates all the work the staff needs to take care of to make the book ready for the printing press. A plot of a book can be very good. The development editor makes all the difference however and his work is often decisive to the success of a book. He can make the book or he can break it. It is all up to him.
Authors do not have much say in how a book is presented and how it is packaged. That is part of the responsibility of the development editor. He also organizes the content of the book and he makes sure the book is appropriate for the targeted audience. It is the development editors job to analyze a book and to see what the competition is coming up with. He also negotiates with managers of the publishing company. Sometimes he is responsible for helping writers to write and rewrite certain chapters or paragraphs of a book.
Sometimes development editors even help with research. The development editor is usually in charge of the paperwork that is related to the project. He oversees everything. He starts with the manuscript preparation. He is also involved in the marketing part that occurs with the publication of a book. The development editor decides what the target group is for the book and he is very involved in deciding on the layout of the book. Illustration can be very important for certain books and the development editor will help decide how to tackle that issue. Nobody becomes development editor overnight.
Many development editors start their career as entry level assistant editors. Development editors who are involved in the production of legal books usually have to be in the possession of a law degree. Development editors who are involved in the production of health related books have to be very aware of health issues and know how to do research to check on the truthfulness of the issues in the book. A degree is not always mandatory for this job but it makes climbing up to higher positions within the company a lot easier. A degree in English or literature is always very advisable. Many Development editors started in other positions soon after they left high school. They advanced to assistant editors over time and many years later they are able to work as development editors because of their experience and seniority in the publishing company.
The average pay of a development editor is between forty and fifty thousand dollars a year. Those who have proven themselves and work for companies that are linked to bestsellers make generally a lot more than that per year. Development editors work in fun and clean environments. Keep that in mind when you decide on a career.
