WHAT KIND OF EDITING DO YOU NEED?

Writing a book is challenging enough. Sorting through editing options can be confusing and time-consuming. Here is a definition of the four levels of editing that we do with authors. I hope this will help clarify the process, and help you choose what level of editing you need.

Developmental editing involves looking at the big picture: what is the story you’re trying to tell?  Is the plot clear and the structure organized? Are your characters fully realized? Is the pace of the story smooth and consistent? It can be very helpful to share your manuscript with a developmental editor to get a macro view. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds, the micro minutia of the story, and miss the larger picture. And readers need to see the larger significance of your story.

Line editing, also known as stylistic editing, is a closer read of your work, a line-by-line assessment of diction, flow, clarity, tone, and voice. A line editor also looks for redundancies and repetitiveness, which will bog down your story and signal to your readers that your book has not been professionally edited. In a crowded marketplace, line editing is essential to keep your reader on the page.

Copyediting involves checking spelling, grammar, and punctuation. A copyeditor will make a style sheet for you to clarify grammatical choices you’d like to make, such as whether to use the serial comma. They will also check facts and any copyright issues.

Proofreading is the essential, final review of your manuscript before it goes to the printer or publisher. This is a final check for spelling, punctuation, and formatting.

When I work with authors, I offer all four levels of editing because writing a full-length book is an enormous project. I want authors to focus on the writing while I guide the process and evaluate as we go. Editing is a partnership, and it’s one that I value deeply.