A common misunderstanding many authors (especially first-time authors) have is thinking of editing as one, all-encompassing thing. But actually, editing is a process that takes many forms. To make things more confusing… there are no “standard definitions” of the types and levels of editing, and sometimes multiple words or phrases are used for the same thing.
This makes it very important for author and editor to set clear expectations of each other before the full manuscript changes hands. Doing this upfront makes the editor’s job easier and faster because they know exactly what they’re being asked to do. It will also make the final price lower most of the time because the quote will be correct from the beginning. But the first part of that is knowing how to communicate your needs to an editor. So lets dive in!
Developmental Editing: This editing focuses on the big picture of the story – the narrative. The editor will be looking at the overall structure of the book, focusing on plot, characterization, story arc, and things that “develop” the story into a cohesive whole. A developmental editor may suggest moving chapters around for the book to make more sense, removing chunks that don’t move the action along, or adding sections to improve depth of character. This type of editing does not focus on grammar, punctuation, or the “rules” of writing because fixing spelling and mechanics doesn’t make sense until the story is fully fleshed out. Because of this, if you plan to have developmental editing, the best, most cost-effective and efficient time to do so is before any other professional editing has been done.
Line Editing: This editing focuses on the words and lines of the story. The editor will be reading for how the book sounds, feels, and flows, and will help you tell your story effectively. They will point out if the book feels “choppy” with too many short sentences, or if they get lost in big, “flowery” words. They will help define and refine your unique voice as a writer, and they will tell you if you used the phrase “dark and starry night” 100 times. Line editing is often done in combination with copy editing, like I do. But this isn’t true for every editor so be sure to discuss expectations.
Copy Editing (or copyediting): I may be biased since this is my specialty, but, if you can only afford one level of editing, choose this one! This is what most people think of when they hear the word “editing.” They’ll mark up the manuscript directly to fix sentence structure, grammar, style, syntax, punctuation, and mechanics. Many times this is combined with line editing because, if an editor is making your words sound good and flow well, it just makes sense to fix grammar, punctuation, and style at the same time. Finding an editor who combines line and copyediting into one (like me!) is a good way to save time and money. Many editors will provide a style sheet that keeps track of spellings of names, hyphenation, formatting decisions, and other things for proofreaders or ARC readers to check in the final draft.
Proofreading: This is the final level of editing before a manuscript goes to print. By this point, major errors, sentence structure, grammar, and mechanics should have been fixed. The proofreader will check spelling, punctuation, and formatting/spacing. If the copyeditor provided a style sheet, the proofreader will use that as the guide to maintain consistency. Sometimes proofreading is done on the manuscript itself and other times its done on the print or digital copy.
Other types of critiques and/or writing help
These critiques are not usually considered “editing,” but they be valuable to writers in specific situations.
Book coaching: A writer might seek advice for how to write their story. Maybe they’re unsure where to start their memoir or how to pull certain plot points together. A book coach can offer guidance and support to the author while they write. A coach might also assign homework such as reading a particular book for ideas and inspiration.
Authenticity/Sensitivity Reading: This can be useful to ensure a book avoids stereotypes or offensive situations, or to ensure it is accurate to real life. Times this might be helpful are if characters have disabilities the author is unfamiliar with or are from an ethnic group or background the author doesn’t know much about. Taking this extra step is a great way to make sure your book sends the message you want without unconsciously reinforcing stereotypes or alienating readers.
As you can see, editing isn’t always a simple “one and done” process, but a journey that takes many forms (just like writing your book!). Being clear and upfront about expectations, including deadline, is the best way to ensure getting a final product that both author and editor are proud of.
I’d love to help make your writing dreams a reality! If you’re interested in my combination of line and copyediting, click here to read more about my services.