What is remote developmental editing?

Remote developmental editing is a collaborative editorial process where an editor works with writers online to improve the structure, content, and overall flow of a manuscript or document. Unlike copyediting, developmental editing focuses on big-picture elements such as organization, plot, character development, and clarity of ideas. Editors provide feedback, suggestions, and guidance, often through digital communication tools, to help authors strengthen their work before moving on to finer editing stages. This service is commonly used for books, academic papers, and other long-form writing projects.