As a fiction editor who works directly with authors, I’m very aware of two conflicting priorities. On the one hand, professional editing takes a lot of training and a lot of work. I want to be paid a fair amount. On the other hand, I know a lot of authors are working with modest budgets. I still want those authors to have access to resources that can help them in their own writing and publishing journey. My solution is twofold. First, I try to give authors resources through my blog to help them know how to best approach editing. (Speaking of which, I’ll get into specific tips for editing on a budget in just a moment.) Second, I provide services that have different levels of scope.

This week I’m really excited to launch my Stylistic Report service. It focuses on the same sentence-level concerns as a full stylistic and copy edit, but the emphasis is on teaching rather than perfecting. It’s great for authors who want to hone their writing craft, but also for authors who can’t afford a full stylistic and copy edit. My hope is that this new service will make editing more accessible for a variety of budgets. I’m also hoping to launch a smaller story-level editing service soon as well.

But beyond my specific services, there are also practical tips that you can follow to help make the most of your editing budget. There are three things you need to know to edit effectively on a budget: what the different editing levels are, what your manuscript needs most, and what services can meet those needs within your budget.

The Different Editing Levels

I dig deep into the different editing levels in my posts The Four Levels of Fiction Editing and Which Editing Service Is Best for My Current Writing Stage? If you’re new to the idea that editing has different levels, I strongly recommend you give those articles a read. I’ll give you a quick refresher here.

To start, the most basic way to conceptualize the editing levels is to separate story-level editing from sentence-level editing. Story-level editing focuses on all the big picture elements: plot, pacing, character development, themes, and so on. Sentence-level editing is all about making sure the sentences are smooth and technically sound.

Story-Level Editing

The technical term for story-level editing is developmental editing (though some also refer to it as structural or substantive editing). Because major changes can happen at this editing stage, story-level editing should always happen before sentence-level editing. There’s no point perfecting sentences that will need to be removed or rewritten to address story-level concerns. Also, if you’re planning to pursue traditional publishing, story-level editing is usually the best way to help improve your chances landing an agent. Again, check out my post Which Editing Service Is Best for My Current Writing Stage? to learn why.

Sentence-Level Editing

Once you’re confident that your story is solid and ready to go, you can start sentence-level editing. There are three types of sentence-level editing: stylistic (line) editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Stylistic editing is all about clarity, coherence, and artistic flow. On the other hand, copy editing is all about technical correctness in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage. Stylistic and copy editing are usually combined into a single service.

Finally, proofreading is the last edit that your manuscript will receive. It happens after your book has been typeset into its final formatting. Proofreaders snuff out any finicky remaining errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage, and formatting.

Figure Out What Your Manuscript Needs Most

If you’re editing on a budget, you probably won’t be able to get all the different levels of editing for your manuscript. You may only be able to pick one. Or maybe you’ll be able to get one comprehensive edit and one mini-edit. Either way, it’s important to know which editing service will most benefit your specific manuscript so that you can get the most bang for your buck.

Maybe this is your first novel. You know how to catch most of your own grammar and punctuation errors, but you’re not sure if your story is structurally strong. A story-level edit may be the best option for you. Or perhaps you’ve taken lots of writing classes and have received lots of critical feedback. You’re confident that your story is strong, but many of your sentences sound awkward or you know you can’t catch your own grammatical errors. A stylistic and copy edit may be your best option.

Some Feedback Can Help

Of course, most people don’t have a firm grasp on what their exact weaknesses are. Self-awareness is how we improve, so we’re often unaware of our worst weaknesses. The best way to figure out which editing level best suits your manuscript’s needs is to get some objective feedback and advice from trusted readers.

Find yourself some beta readers. If you ask them the right questions, they can point you in the right direction for whether your story or your sentences need more work. I have a full guide to beta reading here that can help you find the right beta readers and ask them the right questions.

Find the Specific Services that Meet Your Manuscript’s Most Pressing Needs within Your Budget

Once you know which editing level will meet your manuscript’s most pressing needs, you need to find the specific service that will help you address it within your budget. Different editors structure their editing services in different ways. The focus of the same service may be different from one editor to another. Different editors will also call their services different names. Some editors (like me) offer different scopes of editing services to give authors options when working on a budget.

Remember that, when you’re looking for an editor, you’re not only looking for the right professional, but the right service to meet your needs. Read service definitions carefully. When appropriate, get a sample edit. Make sure the service you’re getting will address your manuscript’s most pressing needs.

Got any lingering questions? Feel free to email me or leave a comment below! I’d love to help make the often confusing world of professional editing easier to navigate.