Editing
Developmental Editing/
Substantive Editing/
Content Editing
Developmental editing means the book gets a full, substantial, structural development edit. This will often include everything that is involved in proofreading and copyediting, plus a detailed critique of the essential elements of the story in the case of a novel, which includes:
i) Setting, ii) Timeline, iii) Characterisation,
iv) Plot, v) Story Structure, vi) Pacing,
vii) Presentation, viii) Marketability.
Developmental editing comes early in the publication process while the author is still in the drafting stage. The author will have rewritten the manuscript a few times before it is ready for a developmental edit. Not every book needs developmental editing from a professional editor.
Feedback from competent Beta Readers or a discerning writing group can be enough to crease out the wrinkles in the book structure.
As with copyediting, the editor may use the track change feature to make revision suggestions directly onto a copy of the manuscript. However, the developmental edit will usually include a separate critique document detailing, sometimes chapter by chapter, the changes the author could make to improve the area tested in the manuscript.
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An impartial, detailed report with commentary is submitted to the author for reference and assistance.
Remember!
Developmental editing comes early in the writing process after a few drafts, and not every book needs it.
Line Editing
Line editing is a more intensive structural edit that focuses on the finer aspects of language, the flow of ideas, transition elements, tone, and style. Line editors expand their efforts to suggest changes to make sentences crisper and tighter by fixing redundancy and verbosity issues while improving awkward sentences and paragraph construction without a complete rewrite. Editors undertaking line editing look at the manuscript using a holistic methodology with a review of key aspects of the manuscript: the structure, characterisation, style, and development.
Copy Editing
Copy in the publishing domain refers to the text. Or, in simpler words, you may understand it as text editing. It is a word-by-word edit that addresses grammar, usage, and consistency issues. For example, a copy editor will check for typos and correct grammar, language, and syntax errors. They will also pay particular attention to punctuation, such as commas, semicolons, and quotation marks.
Such editors work on a copy of the author’s manuscript, usually a Word file, using the track change function and adding comments to explain any changes or make revision suggestions. The author can then go through each of the changes and accept or reject them.
The manuscript is ready for copyediting only when the author is entirely satisfied with the plot, story structure, characterisation, and setting.
Remember!
No matter how good, nobody gets all that right with a first draft.
Proofreading
Proofreading comes at the end of the publication cycle, which is the final check before the book is printed. In the case of ebooks, before they are published and sent to the distributors.
Proofreading is intended to pick up any final typos and spelling mistakes and correct inconsistencies, like making sure the word proofreading is always spelt as one word.
In the case of printed books, proofreaders also look for awkward words and split at the end of a line and ensure there is no single ugly line left at the top of the page from the previous para (widow) or at the bottom of the page which belonged with the paragraph on the next page (orphan) Proofreading is only done after the raw manuscript has been edited. Before that, the text should have at least gone through a copyedit.
Remember!
Technically, proofreading is undertaken when all types of editing have been done, the author is satisfied with the final manuscript, and the interiors are laid out. Proofreading is done to ensure that there are absolutely no errors or typos in the composed interior file.
Not all Editors are proofreaders and not all Proofreaders editors
Besides these, much less-known Mechanical Editing is also a vital aspect of editing.
Mechanical Editing
Mechanical editing refers to , such as The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) or the Associated Press (AP) Style. It is beyond simple grammar correction, and not all editors do it. At this level, the editor looks at punctuation, capitalisation, spelling, abbreviations, and other inconsistencies per the . It makes your book essentially more professionally turned out. Mechanical editing is sometimes included in copyediting.
Note–Besides these, there are two more terms you would frequently come across in the publishing industry: Basic editing and Comprehensive editing.
Basic Editing
In Basic editing, the editor corrects grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, punctuation, and inappropriate length of sentences and jargon. The intent of the sentences is not modified. No attempt is made to tamper with the writing style of the author. The simplicity of the sentences is maintained as-is.
Comprehensive Editing
In Comprehensive editing, the editor not only corrects any obvious errors (grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation) but also rewrites sentences and paragraphs if required to remove inconsistencies and ambiguities. The editor uses his/her expertise to ensure that the document makes sense and the text is more precise and understandable.
That being said, publishing is a collaborative effort, and the editor is an integral part of publishing. So don’t ignore or shy away from them. If you are unsure yourself, ask for a Manuscript Evaluation. They can suggest and guide you more accurately.
Whether you publish through Traditional, Self-publishing, or Free publishing platforms, your manuscript still needs to undergo editing.
Remember!
The first line on the top page of this article!
Manuscript Evaluation
I provide my point of view, similar to reviews, but with in-depth analysis and suggestions. It shall include title appositeness, storyline, length, fluidity and consistency, character depth and arc, narration, and styles. POVs and all that may help make it crisp, polished, and market-viable.
Manuscript evaluation is not editing, proofreading, or structural changes. It is an add-on service or can be taken singularly.
End Note:
Turnaround time for the service hired depends on the length of the story, novella, novel, and the complexity of the subject involved. The number of meetings and sittings required in case of Ghostwriting.
You might need to submit at least a thousand sample words from your manuscript to get an exact quote and the services required.
All samples and manuscripts are accepted per submission guidelines.