Excellent writing doesn’t happen by magic. Just as iconic movie scenes usually require more than one take, your favorite texts also need polishing. That’s where different types of editing for books come in.
Let’s take J.K. Rowling of the world-renowned Harry Potter book series as an example. She famously creates her first drafts by hand, preferably in black ink. Next, she types them up using Microsoft Word.
Finally, she puts her manuscripts through several rounds of revisions before they transform into the versions we all know and love. Who knew that early drafts of “Chamber of Secrets” and “Goblet of Fire” featured a more likable version of Draco Malfoy?
Did you also know that author cut out scenes with the character Theodore Nott? But this is just scratching the surface – there are countless other examples of edits that don’t make the final versions of our favorite literary works.
When writing your own manuscript, don’t expect it to be perfect the first time. Editing is an essential part of the process, often requiring input from a team of professionals to create the best version of your book.
Let’s explore the types of editing for books and how they can elevate your writing!
What are the different types of editing for books?
Much like SEO editing, there’s no formal editing process when writing a book. It’s not set in stone. Publishing houses, literary agents, and editors may use some or all of the types of editing outlined below. They might also use slightly different terminology.
Here’s an overview of the most common types of editing you’ll encounter in the book publishing world:
1. Developmental editing for your manuscript
Developmental editing focuses on the structure, organization, and overall content of your manuscript. It’s ideal if you have a great idea but are struggling to bring it together on the page.
A developmental editor can help with:
- Guiding the flow and readability.
- Offering insights on plot, character development, pacing, and themes.
- Ensuring your ideas are cohesive and impactful.
This stage, also known as manuscript appraisal or conceptual editing, is particularly useful for first-time authors or those tackling complex projects.
2. Evaluation editing for your book
Evaluation editing (or structural editing) is a type of editing for books that provides a high-level critique of your manuscript.
Once you’ve completed a draft, an evaluation editor can provide feedback on the following questions:
- Does your story have strong marketability and commercial potential?
- Are there glaring weaknesses or strengths in the manuscript?
- Is your book ready for literary agents, publishers, or self-publishing?
This type of editor is also great at assessing marketability and commercial potential.
In other words, they’ll let you know whether your book has what it takes to interest literary agents and publishing houses.
This type of editing is a valuable checkpoint to ensure your book aligns with its intended audience and goals.
3. Content editing
Content editing focuses on the actual content of your book.
A content editor will:
- Reorganize or remove sections to improve presentation.
- Identify plot holes and inconsistencies.
- Evaluate your tone and voice for alignment with reader expectations.
They’ll also check for any plot holes or inconsistencies in your story. Although it digs into the text, it does so at a paragraph level rather than a line level.
Your content editor will evaluate your tone of voice to ensure it matches reader expectations. You can also expect them to move around sections of your writing within a chapter or remove chunks entirely to improve the presentation.
Sometimes called substantive or comprehensive editing, this stage ensures your story is clear, engaging, and impactful.
4. Line editing can often be helpful
Line editing is where your editor will get into the nitty-gritty of the text, scrutinizing every word and sentence.
A line editor will:
- Refine your prose for clarity, conciseness, and style – scrapping the fluff.
- Eliminate redundancy and ambiguity.
- Ensure grammatical correctness.
In some cases, you might combine line editing with content editing to enhance the style and substance of your text. Either way, you should tackle the content structure before improving each individual line of text.
5. Copyediting (Very important for your book)
Copyediting is one of the most famous types of editing for books, and it happens at a relatively late stage in the project. By the time your manuscript reaches a copy editor, it should be free of any significant errors, inconsistencies, or plot holes.
A copy editor will:
- Align your manuscript with a specific style guide (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style).
- Check grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Ensure consistency in formatting and terminology.
By this stage, your manuscript should already be free of major structural issues.
6. Proofreading for a final review
Proofreaders are often confused with copy editors, but they play a slightly different role. A proofreader fixes small details before your book is printed.
Proofreaders check for:
- Typos and small errors.
- Formatting issues, such as incorrect page numbers.
- Any discrepancies introduced during the typesetting process.
Proofreading ensures your book is polished and professional before hitting the shelves.
7. Fact-checking
Fact-checking is one of the most important types of editing for a book. This process involves verifying the factual accuracy of the information in your text, including dates, statistics, names, and places.
If you’re writing a non-fiction book, it’s essential to have someone check your facts before publication. Even if you’re pretty confident that everything is correct, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Books that contain mistakes can impact the reputation of the author or publisher and may even be grounds for a lawsuit.
How to choose the right types of editing for your book
So, what types of book editors need to cast their professional eye over your manuscript to make it a masterpiece? The answer, of course, is it depends!
Your experience as a writer
If you’re a first-time author, you might need more support at the developmental and conceptual stages of editing.
An experienced writer, on the other hand, might need later-stage types of editing for their book. A line edit or proofreading service before publication may suffice.
The genre of your work
If you’re writing a highly technical book, such as a how-to guide on car maintenance, you’ll need someone with experience in that field to fact-check your work.
On the other hand, a work of fiction might only need a content edit and a line edit.
Your budget
If you’re operating with a smaller budget and are self-publishing, then you might need to be more selective about the types of book editing services you choose.
In this case, you might want to focus on the most essential types of editing, such as developmental editing and line editing.
The stage of your writing project
If you only have a rough outline of your book, a developmental editor will need to do more work than if you had a complete first draft.
On the other hand, if you don’t involve the various types of book editors until later in the project, there may be major structural changes to make before you can hit line editing and copy editing.
Where to find the right types of book editors for your manuscript
Check out the following places that can assist with the different types of book editing for books.
Literary agent recommendation
If you already know a literary agent, they may have specific recommendations for the types of editing your book will need.
Since they’re the ones who will be submitting your work to publishers, it’s in their best interest to ensure it’s as polished as possible.
If you don’t have an agent, ask around for recommendations from other authors in your genre.
Editorial Freelancers’ Association
The Editorial Freelancers’ Association, or EFA, has a searchable database of book editors, copy editors, and proofreaders.
Manuscript Wish List
Manuscript Wish List is a fantastic resource for authors, especially if you’re looking for editorial feedback.
Here’s the improved and expanded version of your article, now with FAQs at the end for added depth:
FAQs About the Types of Editing for Books
1. What’s the difference between developmental editing and content editing?
Developmental editing and content editing focus on different levels of your manuscript.
Developmental editing addresses the “big picture” elements, such as structure, plot, pacing, themes, and character development. It’s designed to ensure your manuscript flows cohesively and engages the reader from start to finish.
Content editing, on the other hand, delves deeper into the details of your text at the paragraph level. It ensures clarity, coherence, and flow within chapters, addressing inconsistencies or gaps while enhancing readability.
While developmental editing focuses on the story as a whole, content editing sharpens the narrative within individual sections.
2. Do I need all types of editing for my book?
Not all manuscripts require every type of editing. The types of editing you need depend on your manuscript’s stage, your writing experience, and your publishing goals.
For example, first-time authors often benefit from developmental editing, which helps refine their ideas and structure. Experienced writers with a polished draft may only need line editing or proofreading.
If your manuscript is in the early stages, developmental editing is crucial to build a strong foundation. A polished manuscript, however, might only require a final proofreading pass. Additionally, traditional publishers often provide in-house editing, while self-published authors need to plan and budget for external editing services.
If budget is a concern, prioritize the most critical types of editing, such as developmental editing for early drafts and proofreading for the final manuscript. Skipping key editing stages can result in a book that feels incomplete or unpolished.
3. Can I skip proofreading if I’ve already had a copyedit?
While copyediting and proofreading may seem similar, they serve distinct purposes, and skipping proofreading is not advisable.
Copyediting focuses on improving grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and style. It ensures your manuscript adheres to language standards and any relevant style guides. For instance, a copy editor might reword a sentence for clarity or correct punctuation errors.
Proofreading, on the other hand, is the final review before publication. It catches any errors missed during copyediting, such as typos, formatting inconsistencies, or mistakes introduced during typesetting. For example, a proofreader might notice a missing page number, a misaligned header, or a typo in a chapter title. Proofreading is essential to ensure your manuscript is polished and error-free when it reaches readers.
4. How much does professional editing cost?
Editing costs vary widely based on the type of editing, the length of your manuscript, and the editor’s experience level.
Developmental editing is typically the most expensive, ranging from $0.08 to $0.15 per word, or $1,000 to $3,000 for a full manuscript. This is because developmental editing involves a thorough review of your book’s structure, plot, and character development.
Content editing is slightly less costly, averaging $70 per 1,000 words. Line editing and copyediting often overlap in cost, with rates ranging from $25 per 1,000 words. Proofreading is generally the least expensive, costing $12 per 1,000 words.
Learn more about editing prices range.
5. Can I edit my own book instead of hiring a professional?
While it’s possible to edit your own book, relying solely on self-editing has limitations. Self-editing can save money, especially for new authors on a tight budget, and it allows you to refine your writing skills while catching obvious errors. Additionally, self-editing prepares your manuscript for professional editing by addressing basic issues, which can reduce costs.
However, self-editing comes with challenges. It’s difficult to view your own work objectively after spending months (or years) writing it. You may overlook typos, inconsistencies, or structural flaws simply because you’re too close to the material. Editing your own book is also time-consuming and can delay your publication timeline.
Professional editors bring expertise, experience, and a fresh perspective that can significantly improve your manuscript. They catch errors and issues that might escape even the most meticulous self-editor. A hybrid approach—self-editing followed by professional editing— can be a great way to ensure your book is polished and reader-ready.
Related articles on book editing
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Now you know the different types of editing for a book to determine your own needs
What’s the one thing that every literary masterpiece has in common? The answer is that editors have worked diligently on them to polish the final product through various types of book editing.
Every great book undergoes rigorous editing to ensure it resonates with readers. By understanding the different types of editing for books, you can choose the right services to transform your manuscript into a masterpiece.
So, the next time you’re struggling with writer’s block, consider which of the different types of editing for books could improve your content. The right editor could take your writing to the next level. (Learn how to find a great book editor).
For more information, also discover the best books on writing for new authors!