Inside a Developmental Edit (aka How Editors Think Through a Manuscript
Inside a developmental edit: How editors think through a manuscript
Join PEG for an interactive exploration of how developmental editors read, interpret, and prioritise the issues they discover in a manuscript. Together, we’ll step inside the editorial thinking process and discover why different editors can arrive at different but equally valid conclusions.
Date: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Time: 18:00-20:00 (Central African Time: GMT +02:00)
Presenter: Robyn Veary
Platform: Online (Zoom)
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites/foundational knowledge: None
CPD hours: The duration of each webinar in this series is three hours. PEG members will earn CPD hours according to the criteria published on the PEG website. Attendees of the live presentation will receive a certificate confirming their attendance and the duration of the webinar. Those who are unable to attend the webinar live may submit their receipt as proof of having received the recording.
Pre-webinar materials: Participants will receive a short narrative outline (approximately 2–3 pages) before the webinar. Before attending, they are invited to read the outline and reflect on the issues they notice, which they would prioritise first, and why. There are no right or wrong answers. The outline is intended to encourage reflection and will form the basis of our discussion during the webinar.
Recording and PowerPoint slides: Everyone who registers for a webinar will receive a recording of the event and copies of the PowerPoint slides (if applicable) afterwards.
About the webinar
What happens inside a developmental edit?
Every developmental editor brings their own experience, instincts, and judgement to a manuscript. As a result, two editors can read the same work, notice different things, and prioritise different issues — without either approach necessarily being wrong.
In this discussion-based webinar, participants will explore how developmental editors think through a manuscript rather than simply what they look for. Working from a shared example, you’ll have the opportunity to identify the issues that stand out to you, compare your thinking with fellow editors, and reflect on why different editorial decisions emerge.
Along the way, we’ll discuss pattern recognition, editorial priorities, balancing instinct with analysis, and communicating developmental observations with confidence. Whether you’re new to developmental editing or already offering developmental editing as a service, this session provides an opportunity to reflect on your own practice while gaining insight into the judgement that underpins every developmental edit.
The goal isn’t to find one correct answer. It’s to better understand the thinking that shapes thoughtful editorial decisions.
About our presenters
Robyn Veary is the Original Sunshiny Grammarista of Sunshine Edits, the company she founded in 2015 to support writers across genres and experience levels through educational, thoughtful editing. Known for her approachable style, Robyn is particularly interested in the judgement behind editorial decisions and the role that professional kindness plays in communicating them well.
A lifelong lover of language, Robyn is an accredited text editor and self-published author who brings experience from both sides of the editorial relationship. She enjoys helping editors develop confidence in their own judgement while encouraging discussion about the many thoughtful ways an editor can and does make decisions.
Cost
| Affiliation | Early-bird registration fee1 | Full registration2 |
|---|---|---|
| PEG members | R295 | R380 |
| Members of affiliate organisations3 | R400 | R500 |
| Non-affiliated members | R500 | R600 |
1Early-bird registration fee: Before or on Wednesday, 2 September 2026
2Between Thursday, 3 September and Tuesday, 8 September 2026
3Professional Journalists’ Association of South Africa (ProJourn), Southern African Freelancers’ Association (SAFREA), South African Science Journalists’ Association (SASJA), the South African Translators’ Institute (SATI), Publishers’ Association of South Africa (PASA), Society of English-language professionals in the Netherlands (SENSE), Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd), Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and Nordic Editors and Translators (NEaT).
Take advantage of the early-bird special: save money and secure your spot at this webinar by registering early!
Please register by completing and emailing the registration form to the webinar administrator.
Deadline for registrations: Tuesday, 8 September 2026