David Downing
This episode is also available on our YouTube channel as a full video episode! Watch it here
This week, our series of industry insider episodes continues with a talk with David Downing, a freelance developmental editor who has worked with authors such as Mark Edwards and our very own Tariq Ashkanani, helping them polish their manuscripts and turn them into the brilliant books they now are. Since turning to it full-time in 2012, David has edited more than 300 books—lots of mysteries/thrillers and historical fiction, as well as literary fiction, women’s fiction, romantic suspense, and even a couple of science fiction titles and a memoir. He works primarily for publishers, but also for individual clients looking for a developmental/substantive editor who can help take their manuscript to the next level.
We had a really interesting chat with David about exactly what a developmental editor does and heard about how he works with his clients to try and make their story the best it can be. Plus we ask about whether he ever gets pushback from authors and more!