Author once said, “The first draft reveals the art; revision reveals the artist.” In other words, the editing process is where all the magic happens. For authors, finding the best editor is an integral step towards getting their edited work into the hands of eager readers.
Many aspiring authors are often unfamiliar with the laborious editing process that begins the moment the final word has been penned. The editing process takes place in several steps and involves reading the same text several times, each time with a different focus.
It’s important to understand the different types of editing to know what to expect from the process, especially for aspiring authors. Why? The revision levels focus on specific individual needs, including stylistic and substantive content. For simplicity, we'll divide editing types into four main categories: content and development, line, copy, and proofread.
Content and Development Edit
The first step for most manuscripts is content and development editing. It examines everything from the story, plot, and characters. Developmental editing tackles the following:
- Story
- Plot and subplots
- Characters
- Dialogues
- Point Of View (first, second, third, or combination)
- Setting
- Grammar, punctuation, word usage, etc.
Line Edit
Line edits focus on sentence and paragraph structure with attention to:
- Run-on sentences
- Repetition of words and phrases
- Words choice
- Usage of words that clarify the meaning
Copy Edit
Copy editing is formatting everything according to a style guide and fixing inconsistencies. Here are just a few things copy editors correct or change:
- Punctuation
- Spelling nuances (British English versus American English)
- Capitalization, hyphenation, italicizing
- When to use numbers instead of letters
- Headlines and subheads
- Titles
Publishing houses and magazines usually have their own style guides for copy editors to follow. For example, according to The Chicago Manual of Style, numbers one to nine are spelled out, but numbers 10+ use numerals. But, in The Associated Press Stylebook, numbers one to nine are not spelled out; they are referred to number symbols (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
Proofread
The proofread is the final, and hopefully, painless phase. A proofreader has the last shot at the manuscript and looks for:
- Spelling errors
- Words that sound the same but spelled differently
- Correct usage of quotation and punctuation marks around dialogues
- Missed words (of, and, the)
- Unwanted space
Proofreading falls outside the technical realm of general editing. In-depth accounting for content and flow should occur before a proofread. A proofreader isn’t expected to critique or provide an exhaustive review.
Final Word
There are common misconceptions. Content and development editors aren't responsible for grammar and punctuation. Line and copy are often confused, although it's clear that sentence structure and grammar rules are different focuses. The same problem arises with copy edits and the proofread.
Hopefully, it's clear why the editing steps don’t often occur out of order.
Every piece is essential. Sometimes steps are skipped or omitted. It’s also not unheard of to use multiple proofreaders to polish the final product. Regardless, several editing style combinations based on skill levels are possible.
The Additional Coatings
It’s common practice to share work in progress with alpha and beta readers while writing or upon finalization. This occurs before comprehensive editing.
Notably, beta readers are useful and can point out plot holes, characters with annoying traits, and overall opinions of individual story parts or as a whole. However, and this might not be a favorable opinion, betas aren't considered an editing layer, although an integral and sometimes necessary part of the process. Their input gives peace of mind that the story will connect with readers, but shouldn’t replace an editor—multiple or singular.
Finding a critique partner with expertise and audience knowledge helps deliver a smooth landing. Developmental editors also provide input for current genre trends.
