The different types of editing - how to choose?
You’ve finished writing your book, and now it’s time to choose an editor. But how do you know who to choose and what type of editing you need?
There are five main stages (or types) of editing. You can do them one at a time, in order, if you like. However, many editors offer combination packages where they will evaluate your writing for two or more different types of editing at once.
So, what are the different types of editing? In a nutshell, the five main editing stages are:
Beta Reading
Developmental/Structural Editing
Line Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Beta Reading
Beta Reading is an initial read-through of your draft. Writers often send their manuscripts to friends, family, or even paid beta readers to get that initial feedback. However, beta reading is not a mandatory part of the editing process. You will usually receive a summary document in exchange for this type of service, although some people provide comments in the margin of your book. The type of feedback you can expect from a beta reader includes impressions, from a reader’s perspective, on the following:
The story’s beginning, middle, and end
Characters
Plot
Elements of the story that need to be improved
Confusing scenes or dialogue
And many other impressions, ideas, or suggestions from a reader’s standpoint!
You can use the feedback from your beta readers to revise your draft. Look for common critiques. If multiple people have made the same comment or observation, there might be something to examine.
Developmental/Structural Editing
Developmental editing is also known as structural editing, especially in non-fiction books. The two are very similar in that they both take a look at the overall elements of your book from a macroscopic perspective.
For fiction works, this includes in-margin comments on the following:
Plot - analysis of the story itself, as well as any plot holes or errors
Character - analysis of each main character in the story, including character development
Pacing and Flow - looks at how your story develops from start to finish, and how quickly each element is presented
Descriptions and Setting - analysis of how well these elements are done in your manuscript. Can the reader visualize your scenes? Have you given so much information that your story drags? How can you improve the descriptions in your story
Style and Voice - comments on how you can improve your writing as a whole (what you have done well and what may need work or revision)
For non-fiction works, this includes in-margin comments on the following:
Structure - analysis of how you have structured your book or article. Which sections may be better off in a different location or chapter?
Content - Have you covered the topic completely? Will your reader learn what you advertise upon completing your book?
Arguments - analysis of how well each section covers the topic at hand, including checking for repetition or missing information
Writing style - how to improve your sentence structure and style to convey the information to the reader in a captivating way
Developmental editing packages will include a brief critique (about two pages) that contain any additional suggestions, comments, or thoughts that may improve your story and writing. You should also receive a copy of your document with lots of comments in the margin!
Once you receive the feedback from the editor, you will need to take some time to make revisions to your book. Evaluate what your editor is telling you and decide which changes you’d like to make. It’s okay if you don’t agree with everything your editor has said.
Keep in mind that you may have to rewrite whole sentences, paragraphs, or even chapters to improve your writing. It is your job to make these changes. It is not the editor’s job to rewrite your work for you. If you want someone to rewrite your work, you are looking for a ghostwriter, not an editor!
Once you have revised your manuscript, you’re ready for the next phase of editing!
Line Editing
The final three phases of editing are often very confusing to people, and with good reason. Line editing and copy editing overlap in many ways because they both focus on the language in your book.
A line edit will provide feedback on the content, language, and style of your work. This is typically done using Track Changes in Microsoft Word or suggested edits in Google Docs, and both document types should include comments where the editor is making a suggestion rather than an outright change. This can also be done with Markup in Pages as well.
A line edit will provide feedback on issues such as:
Inconsistencies in language or style
Overuse of certain words or phrases
Where information or details may be missing
Pacing - where your book moves too quickly or too slowly
Syntax issues and improvements in sentence structure
Any other writing issues the editor may find
A line edit will address some errors in grammar or spelling, but that is not the primary focus of a line edit. If you cannot afford to pay for a line editor separately, you can skip this step or see if your editor offers a combined package at a discounted rate for bundling.
Copy Editing
Copy editing gets a little more technical when it comes to edits. Your copy editor will provide corrections or feedback regarding your book’s overall language, such as:
Flow
Readability
Language
Clarity
A copy editor will also make changes within the text to correct:
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Syntax
Your copy editor will usually deliver two files to you if you’re using Word or Pages. You will receive a Track Changes file that shows all revisions and corrections that were made in the book. You should also receive a final (or “clean”) file that includes all of those corrections without the markup.
Now, let’s talk about proofreading.
Proofreading
The name proofreading actually comes from when books were made using typesetting. A copy of the book was printed and sent to the proofreader as a final check before money was spent to print hundreds of copies of a book.
Many of us heard the term “proofreading” in school to reference the grammar and spelling checks that happen at the very end of a writing project, and some editors use “proofreading” to mean that exact thing. However, a true proofreader checks for many potential issues with the final copy, including:
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Typos
Spaces between words and sentences
Paragraph spacing
Consistency in font, headings, headers, footers, etc.
Therefore, the proofreading phase often comes either during or after the formatting process, depending on how your book is formatted. It’s that final check before you publish your book and ensures that everything looks perfect.
Be sure to talk to your editor to be certain that your understanding of “proofreading” and their definition of it are the same thing.
Combination packages
Ideally, you will be able to hire an editor for each stage of the process individually. The advantage of that method is that it gives you the time and ability to revise your work between each phase. It also ensures that your work is checked multiple times for errors, especially when it comes to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
However, most people can’t afford to go through this five-step process. It can be very time-consuming and draining financially. Many editors offer combination packages bundling two or more types of editing into one pass through your book.
Before you hire an editor, take a good look at your book and your finances. Be honest with yourself. What do you realistically need? What can you realistically afford? Talk to a few different editors to see what they offer, how long they will take to complete the job, and how much they charge.
A Note About Specialties
While most editors can do many types of editing, they also usually have an area of specialty. Some editors love to find errors in spelling or punctuation; other editors may hate that part and prefer to focus on more macroscopic issues.
When you are considering working with an editor, ask that person what their area of specialty is. You can still hire one editor for multiple phases of the process, especially if you like their work. But you should be aware of what they consider their specialty to be – it will help you to understand what to expect from their feedback.
Asking for a Sample Edit
As you narrow down your search for the perfect editor for your book, consider asking for a quote for a sample edit. A sample edit is extremely valuable when you’re trying to decide who to work with on your project.
A sample edit usually includes about 1,000-3,000 words of your book. You’ll send a chapter or two of your work to the editor, pay a small fee, and get to see their work without paying for the entire project. This can be super helpful when you’re deciding between a few editors. It can also be helpful if you’re not sure what kind of editing you really need. Most editors will agree to do a smaller project first to make sure that the two of you work well together, are communicating well, and have the same expectations/definitions when it comes to feedback and results.
A sample edit is not free. No one should have to work for free, and it’s unfair to ask someone to do work for you if you aren’t willing to pay them for it. However, a sample edit is usually fairly cheap and can save you tons of money down the road if that particular editor isn’t a good fit for you.
For example, I offer sample edits of 3,000 words for $25. It gives me a good idea of what the quality of writing will be with that writer so that I can provide an accurate quote for the whole project, and it provides the writer with an accurate idea of what to expect when working with me. About 98% of writers who purchase a sample edit from me end up purchasing a full editing package, and they’re much more comfortable with the process after they see what the editing work will look like.
Conclusion
Be honest with your editor. Be honest about your experience, what you need, your quality of writing, and what you can afford. Make absolutely sure that you are honest about what you want from the editor. No one can give you something unless they know you want it!
No one is perfect – and that includes your editor. Editors are not mind readers, so be sure to communicate honestly about your needs and expectations. There is a reason why a book is checked over and over again for errors. Do not expect that one pass of your book by one editor will correct every single mistake. If you find something that was missed, communicate with your editor to try to resolve the issue. So, have some patience and always be kind!
