It may surprise you that there are four different levels of editing. You may have heard the terms proofreader, copy editor, and line editor floating around, but let’s be honest, none of these terms sound very distinct. Once upon a time I too thought they all meant the same thing. They don’t. If you want to publish your novel, it’s important to understand what these different types of edits are.
First, you should know that every editor defines their services differently. Editing levels exist on a spectrum from broad story-level edits to specific sentence-level edits. Since editing exist on a spectrum, defining the boundaries between each level can be subjective, so make sure you carefully read an editor’s definition of services before hiring them.
That being said, Editors Canada’s Professional Editing Standards is a fantastic resource for learning about formal editing levels. You can read the association’s standards here. I have heavily based my stylistic and copy editing service on these standards. Keep in mind though, the association’s definition of structural editing applies better to non-fiction than fiction. Alright, let’s dive in and take a closer look at the four levels of fiction editing.
Level 1 – Developmental Editing
(also called structural or substantive editing)
What It Is
Developmental editing is the broadest level of editing. This edit addresses the story itself – its plot, structure, pacing, setting, character development, narrative techniques, and themes. Here are some common questions that developmental editors cover:
- Does the novel start at the right point in the story?
- Is the first scene gripping?
- Is the plot structure easy for the reader to follow?
- Are there any plot-holes or unresolved subplots?
- Are the characters believable and well-developed?
- Is the point of view consistent and clear?
- Is the pacing varied?
- Is there enough tension and intrigue to keep the reader engaged?
- Does the narrative have a good balance of scene and summary?
- Do the novel’s themes fit the genre?
- Are the novel’s images and metaphors effective?
Developmental editing often involves major changes to the text. In this stage, the author may add, delete, reorder, or completely rewrite scenes. Ideally, these major changes should be finished before the next editing levels start. There is no point copy editing a chapter that might be removed or stylistically editing a section that will be rewritten.
The deeper you get into the editing process, the harder (and more costly) it is to introduce major changes. Developmental editing is your chance to make sure that your novel’s big-picture elements are exactly the way you want them before deeper editing begins.
Service Options
There are two kinds of developmental edits: a manuscript critique and a full developmental edit. In a manuscript critique, all the feedback is written in a final editorial report. The length and focus of an editorial report can vary from editor to editor, so make sure you read each editor’s service description carefully. In a full developmental edit, the editor typically includes an editorial report as well as in-text comments.
Which service is best for you and your novel? It depends on your experience level and your budget. A full developmental edit is more expensive and is most valuable to new and inexperienced authors. A manuscript critique is more affordable and can greatly benefit any author. You can read more about my manuscript critique service here.
Level 2 – Stylistic Editing
(also called line or substantive editing)
Stylistic editing address paragraph and sentence clarity, coherence, and flow. Some editors offer a distinct stylistic editing service, but most combine their stylistic and copy editing together. Here are some typical issues that stylistic editors address:
- Is the intended meaning clear?
- Would changing paragraph or sentence structure improve clarity and flow?
- Are sentence lengths, sentence structures, and the vocabulary appropriate for the genre and intended reader?
- Are the transitions between paragraphs and sections smooth?
- Is each paragraph’s progression of ideas logical and coherent?
- Is the novel’s tone, mood, style, and authorial voice appropriate for the genre and intended reader?
Stylistic editors edit the text directly with tracked changes and comments, but it remains the author’s choice to accept, reject, or tweak the editor’s suggestions. One of the key mandates for stylistic editors is that they should only change what is necessary and do everything in their power to maintain the author’s personal voice and style. In other words, good stylistic editors do not rewrite stories to match their own preferences. Instead, they ensure that the author’s style is as strong as it can be. If you are interested in a stylistic edit, you can read about my stylistic and copy editing service here.
Also, you may have also noticed that the term “substantive editing” can refer to either developmental or stylistic editing. I stay clear of the term to avoid confusion, but if you see the word “substantive” elsewhere, read carefully to make sure you know what the writer is referring to.
Level 3 – Copy Editing
Copy editing is what most people imagine when they hear the word editing. It is a highly technical edit that examines grammar, spelling, usage, punctuation, basic factual correctness, and editorial style. In a copy edit, style refers to the editorial choices that are unique to a given text, such as hyphenation style and capitalization style. Copy editors will record these editorial choices in a style sheet and include it with the edited manuscript. Even if you never use the style sheet, your proofreader definitely will.
Many authors are nervous about handing over their manuscript to a copy editor. We’ve all met those people who use their knowledge of grammar to feel superior. “It’s you and I, not you and me.” It’s easy to imagine copy editors as cold grammar police who care more about perfect adherence to rules than the art of writing beautiful prose.
Know that good copy editors understand why rules exist and when it’s appropriate to bend or break them for an artistic purpose. Good copy editors treat every project as a collaboration with the author to benefit the reader. Good copy editors put the author’s vision first.
Between Edits
Between copy editing and proofreading, you should send your manuscript away to a typesetter who formats the internal text of your book. A typeset for a printed book deals with fonts, page sizes, page numbers, chapter formats, and more. A typeset for an e-book also involves coding the text so that it is responsive to different viewing settings.
Even though another round of edits is coming up, all your paragraph-level changes need to be done before the typeset. Something as simple as adding a paragraph can have a domino effect and create a lot more work for the typesetter.
Many traditional publishers won’t allow you to make changes after the typeset. If you are self-publishing, requesting changes to a typeset can significantly increase your bill (and really frustrate your typesetter). To be smart with your time and money, think of your copy edit as your last chance for changes. Trust me – it will save you a lot of hassle in the end.
Level 4 – Proofreading
Proofreading is the final, most technical edit. It is the last check to snuff out any finicky remaining errors. Proofreaders look for basic technical correctness in grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage, and editorial style. But unlike a copy edit, proofreading also examines the book’s formatting for consistency and readability.
Proofreaders also edit much more lightly than copy editors because, as I mentioned above, any large changes in this stage are costly. Some copy editors also provide proofreading services, but I would recommend hiring someone different for the proofread. Familiarity with a text can make it harder to catch errors and two sets of eyes will always catch more than one.
Once the proofread is done and the cover design is in, your book is ready to hit the press and enter bookstores. You made it! Take a moment to sit back and celebrate. You achieved something big. Your marketing journey is still ahead, but don’t forget to appreciate your achievements along the way.
Hi Amelia ;
I FINALLY finished the last story in my anthology (a late addition ). and now it’s time for editing. Thank you for the detailed definitions of the various forms of editing.
Is there a charge for having someone Beta-read a story? I realize the importance of having that ‘second pair of eyes’ but it’s intimidating to imagine possible responses.
Have a great weekend!