Have you finished writing your book and are unsure about the different steps in the editing process? Have you tried to Google them and gotten overwhelmed by all the conflicting results? There are numerous articles and blog posts out there that describe one step of the editing process or list all the phases without describing any of them. With this blog post, my aim is to provide a comprehensive list of all the different phases of editing, give detailed explanations of each one, and outline the order in which they take place, so that you can be confident in the next step in your publishing journey.
Without further ado, let's get started!
Developmental Editing
This is the very first step in the editing process. It's also called structural or substantive editing. Your editor will be looking at the big picture of your book‐-plot, characters, timeline, structure, tension, etc. They'll be making sure the bones of your story are solid and that your characters have a full arc that makes sense for the type of story you're telling.
They likely won't make any changes directly to your manuscript. They'll leave comments and write you an editor letter/report. This letter will break down the areas that need work, suggest chapters that need to be cut or rearranged, and highlight elements and scenes that work well.
Line Editing
This takes place after you've made all the changes from your developmental edit. Your editor will be looking at your book on a line-by-line basis. They'll be checking to see if your paragraphs are in a logical order and if your sentences flow well together. They'll also focus on word choice to make sure that each word is necessary and impactful.
They will leave comments but will also likely make changes to your manuscript with the Track Changes feature in Word.
Copy Editing
This is the first edit that focuses on the smaller details of your manuscript. Your editor will look for internal inconsistencies, repeated words, spelling and grammar mistakes, and issues with flow (among other things), along with improving readability and clarity. They will also fact check any real-world information to ensure its accuracy.
They will make changes to your manuscript using Track Changes.
Proofreading
This is the final edit before you publish your book. It's typically done after basic formatting so that the proofreader can ensure everything is formatted correctly (such as page numbers and chapter headings). Your proofreader will look for anything that was missed by your copy editor in regards to spelling, grammar, syntax, and repeated words. They will also look for errors in hyphenation and capitalization and make sure all numbers are formatted according to The Chicago Manual of Style.
They will make changes to your manuscript with Track Changes.
Bonus: Beta Reading
Beta reading isn't technically a type of editing, but it's a way to gain valuable information about your manuscript at a relatively low cost. A professional beta reader looks at your book from the perspective of a reader before you give it to a developmental editor. They will also look at the big picture (characters, pacing, plot, continuity, etc.), as well as things like setting, descriptions, first impressions, and the ending.
They will not make any changes or comments on your manuscript, but they will provide a beta reader report. The report will give a detailed explanation of their thoughts on the various elements of your story, so you can make large-scale changes before you send your work to a developmental editor.
Note: This service does not replace a dev editor as a beta reader won't go into the same level as detail and doesn't recommend any structural changes.
I hope this post gives you a clear understanding of the different steps of editing and what order they occur in. If you're interested in discussing copy editing, proofreading, or beta reading for your novel, please send me a message!
Happy writing!
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