As every writer knows, “The End,” is quite possibly the best phrase in the English language. You’ve poured your (hopefully metaphorical) blood, sweat, and (probably not metaphorical) tears into your book, and now it’s time to hand it off to an editor. But what type of editing do you need? Yes, there are different kinds of editing, and some editors specialize in or only offer one or two types.
So before you go searching for the perfect editor for your book, it’s important to figure out what type of editing your book actually needs. This handy guide breaks down the different types of editing that are available and what each one offers, so you can make an informed decision for your manuscript.
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing is probably the most misunderstood type of editing, and if you’ve already finished your book, it’s likely not the kind of editing you’re looking for. A developmental editor usually comes in during the early stages of the writing process, helping writers shape their work from the ground up by identifying and addressing major structural problems like organization, plot holes, inconsistent characterization, and pacing issues.
However, developmental editing can also be helpful for writers who have already completed their books but received negative feedback concerning things like readability, consistency, pacing, character development, and other comprehensive issues. In this case, developmental editing will likely involve extensive rewriting and reorganizing, so it can be a long process and a big commitment.
Line Editing
Line editing is what most writers are looking for when it’s time to edit their books. A line editor will go through your manuscript line by line, literally, to correct issues like awkward or unclear phrasing, ineffective dialogue, redundancies, and inconsistencies, as well as grammatical and punctuation errors. Line editing can improve your book’s flow, clarity, and readability, and a good line editor will help you improve and develop your natural voice and style.
Copy Editing
Copy editing is often confused with both line editing and proofreading, when in reality, it lies somewhere in between the two. A copy editor focuses mainly on improving clarity and readability and correcting grammatical and punctuation errors. So it’s not as in-depth as line editing, but it’s a little more involved than basic proofreading.
Essentially, a copy editor will make sure your book technically reads well and is error-free, but they won’t help improve things like flow, pacing, or dialogue. So the majority of writers opt for line editing instead, followed by a final round of proofreading.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the last step before publication, and a proofreader only checks for any overlooked grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. Tools like Grammarly and spell-check are fantastic, but they aren’t perfect. So a proofreader is the last line of defense against those misplaced commas and homophone errors.
And there you have it — all the different types of editing that are available. Hopefully this guide has cleared up any questions or confusion you had, but if not, feel free to reach out to me for more information on editing services. If you still aren’t sure what type of editing your book needs, I also offer free consultations and sample edits to help you find the right solution for your manuscript.
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