1) Experienced copyeditor who provides a deep structural edit for a book manuscript. 2) The procedure of improving and reorganizing structure, content and order of a book manuscript. Compare to Developmental Editor.
A book doctor is a person who provides editorial services to authors in the book publishing industry. These services can include developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading. A book doctor can also offer general advice on the publishing process and provide guidance on how to market and sell a book.
The term book doctor is most often used in the United States, but the concept of hiring someone to help improve a manuscript is not limited to any one country. In fact, many successful authors have used book doctors at some point in their careers. Stephen King, for example, hired a book doctor to help him revise his debut novel, Carrie.
While some authors may view the idea of hiring a book doctor as a sign of weakness, the fact is that even the most successful authors can benefit from professional editorial help. After all, no author is perfect, and even the best writers can benefit from a fresh pair of eyes.
If you’re considering hiring a book doctor, the first step is to find someone who is qualified and who you feel comfortable working with. Once you’ve found a book doctor you’d like to work with, the next step is to discuss your project and what you hope to achieve. Be honest about your goals and be prepared to listen to feedback. Remember, a book doctor’s goal is to help you improve your manuscript, so be open to suggestions.
If you’re not sure whether or not you need a book doctor, ask yourself this question: Would you rather have a manuscript that is good enough to be published, or a manuscript that is the best it can be? If you’re aiming for the latter, then a book doctor can help you get there.