Editing

Developmental Editing

Jim offers development editing for academic writers who are seeking to expand the audiences for their scholarship and writing, especially through book publication. Developmental editing can help turn ideas into book proposals, book proposals into manuscripts, and manuscripts into completed books. He works with Defend, Publish, and Lead to make the process as smooth as possible. Authors should reach out directly to Jim to estimate the time needed to accomplish their publishing goals; they will then purchase hours from DPL at a flat rate fee of $150 per hour, and the process will start whenever the author is ready. In addition to the editing work, the process includes two Zoom meetings, one each at the start and end of the process.

His work as a developmental editor has launched the writing careers of many successful authors in the book series he founded at West Virginia University Press, He was eventually joined in that work by co-editor Michelle Miller. In 2023, the series was moved to Oklahoma University Press, where it now lives as the Teaching, Engaging and Thriving in Higher Ed series. His newest book, Writing Like a Teacher: Expanding Audiences for Nonfiction Writing offers his recommendations for how academics can reach new audiences with their writing—but you can receive personalized help from him by contacting him directly.