Different Types of Editing

Once an author writes a book, it should go to an editor for a second look. Why? A good writer is also a good editor, right? That may be true, but as writers we get too close to our own work to give it an objective critique. We know what we are trying to say, and what we have written makes sense to us even if it doesn't to someone else. It's the proverbial "too many trees to see the forest" syndrome. When an editor reads your work for the first time, certain things stand out like a pink rabbit sitting in a tree. Things that might not be obvious to you after you've worked on the manuscript for months.

There are different types of editors and you will need to choose one that is right for your book. If your manuscript is exactly how you want it, you may only need a good proofreading from a copy or line editor. However, if your book needs character and plot development, a check for overall flow as well as proofreading for punctuation, grammar and spelling, you need an editor who can help you rewrite confusing and awkward areas and create better structure.

Here are some types of editing offered by most editors:

Developmental Editing

Similar to ghostwriting in collaboration with the author, a developmental editor assists the author as a writing coach by taking a rough draft of a manuscript from initial concept and make suggestions about content, organization, and presentation. The developmental editor always has the target market (reader) in mind and may make an analysis of competing works and suggest additional research to "flesh out" certain parts and give the book credibility and factual content. Plot and characterization will be analyzed and reworked if needed. Suggestions will be given for rewriting confusing and awkward areas to create better flow. Sentence structure, punctuation, grammar and spelling may also be considered.

Heavy or Substantive Editing

Still a copy editor's job, but in addition to reading and marking errors in punctuation, grammar and spelling, the heavy edit may offer editorial comments on style, structure, content and flow. Substantive Editing improves a manuscript by identifying and solving problems with order and flow of information. It may require reorganizing paragraphs, sections, or chapters for overall clarity or readability. Suggestions will be given for rewriting confusing and awkward areas to create better flow. Sentence structure, transitions, punctuation, grammar, and spelling will also be considered. Heavy editing also checks URL links, graphics, captions, photos, references, foot notes, tables, quotes, bibliography, and citations; and makes sure proper permission has been granted to use copyrighted material. Formatting to include page numbers, margins, headings, font styles, indentations, paragraph spacing, header and footer text, a hyperlinked table of contents and indexing. Many times a heavy or substantive edit is the same as a rewrite of the manuscript.

Proofreading is usually offered only to a well-written manuscript that has already been through a heavy edit. The copy editor will proofread and mark errors in punctuation, grammar, and spelling. Proofreading is limited to 5-7 marks per page, so if your manuscript has more than the occasional grammatical error, you will need to choose another type of editing.

The writers and editors at Write On! Creative Writing Services are able to assist you with any of these types of editing. We work with our clients to assure that your manuscript is ready to present to a conventional publisher.