![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Well, at least when it comes to making sure your writing style is consistent. As their title suggests, line editors go line by line to evaluate tone, word choice, syntax, and sentence structure. At this stage, the focus shifts from your manuscript as a whole to each individual sentence. Line editing sits on the spectrum between developmental editing and copy editing. Depending on what kind of book you’re writing, that could mean cutting unnecessary characters, adding new subplots, or changing up your chapter order so your argument flows better. Just like metalwork, your manuscript needs to experience some heat in order to become something beautiful. Working on a nonfiction manuscript? Your editor can help make sure your chapters build on each other to support your thesis.ĭevelopmental editing can be a tough process, but it’s essential to writing your best book. Writing a mystery or thriller? Your editor may point out inconsistencies or plot holes that derail your intent. Brace yourself: this is often where your book gets messy!ĭuring a developmental edit, your editor takes a high-level look at your manuscript to evaluate whether elements like your plot, themes, character development, or central argument effectively achieve your goals. Developmental editingĭevelopmental editing is also known as structural or substantive editing. So what makes each type of editing unique? Let’s cover each one in detail. And if you’re already happy with your book’s structure, you may want to skip the developmental edit and move straight into line editing. An author who has just completed an early draft likely isn’t ready for a copy editor’s fine-tooth comb. The type of editor you need depends on the current stage of your book. These can range from high-level substantive editing, developmental editing, or a manuscript critique to the final, detailed proofread. One easy way to understand book editing is as a spectrum of services. Therefore, you’ll need to figure out not only when to hire an editor but also which pro is best suited to the current stage of your book’s journey. Considering content, style, grammar, and formatting all in one go is too much for a single round of edits-and probably too much for one editor. Here’s the confusing part: there’s more than one kind of book editor. Good book editing services can help ensure your manuscript is cohesive, error-free, and ready to make an impact on your readers. Whether you’re a first-time author or an established pro, you’ll need an editor if you plan to publish your work. So you’re writing your first (or fifth, or fiftieth) book. ![]()
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