Editing
Structural editing
Structural editing helps writers improve their story’s structure, making sure the structure helps make the story more readable.
For example, a flashback structure might work better to increase suspense if your story has a lot of twists rather than using a typical linear chronology. Structural editing can also help you decide if you need to split your story into fewer (or more) chapters/sections, if those sections are in the ideal order, and if you should expand or delete sections to either tighten up or fill out your structure.
At its most basic structural editing is a type of editing that focuses on making sense of your story. If you are unsure about whether your content makes sense in the current order it appears then a structural edit would be extremely beneficial.
Copy editing
Once you are done with your rewrites, it’s time for copy editing!
“A copy edit helps create the most readable version of your book, improving clarity, coherency, consistency, and correctness. The goal is to bridge any remaining gaps between the author’s intent and the reader’s understanding,” said editor Chersti Nieveen.
A copy editor examines and corrects the following elements in your work:
- Capitalization
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Word usage and repetition
- Dialogue tags
- Usage of numbers or numerals
- Unintentional shifts in POV/tense
- Inconsistencies in characters, descriptions, locations, etc.
Essentially, the copy editor looks at more minute details. Copy editing ensures that errors like these don’t happen, so your writing is as strong as possible, and your reader remains 100% focused on the story.
Line editing
People often use line editing interchangeably with copy editing but they’re not the same. To clarify: line editing focuses specifically on the flow and content of your prose. It’s also called stylistic editing since it focuses on style rather than mechanics.
Line editing still falls under the category of copy editing, but it’s more detailed. For example, a line edit would look at word usage, point of view, verb tense, and provide more detailed suggestions as to how to strengthen the writing.
Unlike copy editing, line editing focuses much more on the creative content instead of the spelling, grammar, and other mechanics which is what a proofreader does.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the last major stage of the editing process. Proofreaders are the ones whose job it is to make sure no grammar or spelling errors make it to the final copy of your work. They’re detail-oriented—their painstaking review of your manuscript ensures that your text is 100% polished before going to print.
So what exactly does a proofreader focus on?
- The style sheet
- Fact-checking
- Formatting
Even with our modern computerized proofreaders and tools such as “spell check” and “grammar check” there are still quite often mistakes that are not caught until the document is proofread by a “fresh set of eyes.” They’ll watch out for:
- Spelling errors
- Stylistic inconsistencies
- Layout and typography inconsistencies
- Confusing or awkward page breaks
- Incorrect captioning on any illustration and page number in the contents
- The point of proofreading is to examine the text word by word for anything that previous edits may have missed.
Fact-checking
Even if you thoroughly research your book, it can still have informational inconsistencies. This is where a fact-checker becomes an invaluable tool to have.
The job of the fact-checker is to take note of all the factual references in your book, then carefully confirm your information through outside sources. If they find inaccurate information they’ll alert you right away. This type of editing is particularly important if you’re writing nonfiction, but can also be very helpful for works of historical and scientific fiction.
Formatting
Avoid the stress that comes with using clunky eBook converters, and take your manuscript to the digital world with our hands-on publishing professionals. Your eBook includes:
A formatted proof to approve before your eBook is completed.
Compatibility with all popular eReaders, including the Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Barnes & Noble Nook, and mobile devices.
Developmental Editing
What is developmental editing?
A developmental edit is a thorough and in-depth edit of your entire manuscript. It is an examination of all the elements of your writing, from single words and the phrasing of individual sentences, to overall structure and style. It can address plot holes or gaps, problematic characterization and all other existing material.
After a round of developmental editing — also called structural or substantive editing — a manuscript can change substantially; for inexperienced writers, accepting direct and honest feedback can be a difficult experience. Much of what you have spent many weeks, months or even years writing can be cut, shaped, moved or heavily criticised.
Good developmental editing will also bear in mind your target audience and will judge your work in relation to professional industry standards and expectations. Only once your manuscript has been cut, reshaped, revised, and developed will it be ready for a copy edit and proofread.