What Kind of Editing do I Need?

I see a lot of confusion about what, exactly, an editor does. That’s because editor is often a catch-all word used to describe anyone who helps the author get a manuscript ready for publication. So here is a very simplified way of looking at different editorial roles. Keep in mind, every publishing house and every editor defines each role slightly differently, and there’s a lot of overlap between the levels. If you were to hire an editor for each level, start at the top (developmental editor) and work your way down–proofreading an early draft that will be largely rewritten is a waste of time and money.

Developmental Editor

This is editing that looks at the story as a whole. The developmental editor will advise on what is or is not working in your story. They’re not going to make many notes about your prose but will give you an overall idea of what to do for your next draft—expand dialogue, focus on your character’s emotions, another character is underdeveloped, your action sequences are confusing, etc. The developmental editor will give advice and use examples that are unique to your writing style and story. Rewriting and revising are a huge part of developmental editing.

Content or Line Editor

This editor will look at the story at the paragraph level, while keeping the story as a whole in mind. A line editor may restructure a sentence or a paragraph, or move a sentence from one page to an entirely different page. The line editor’s goal is to make sure the message the author is trying convey is the one the reader receives. They really try to get into an author’s head so the changes are consistent with the writer’s style. This editor will likely clean up many copyediting issues along the way, but it’s not the main focus. Line editing is sometimes called content or structural editing.

Copyeditor

The copyeditor is looking at the manuscript at the sentence level. I believe this is what most people are referring to when they talk about editing. The copyeditor cleans up grammar, tightens up wordiness, eliminates repetition, etc. This editor will make sure things are internally consistent because you don’t want your character’s eyes to be blue in chapter 4 and green in chapter 20. This is probably the most critical level of editing to make sure your manuscript has a professional look and feel.

Proofreader

The proofreader is looking at the manuscript at the word level. They clean up spelling and punctuation mistakes. Originally, proofreading was completely separate from all other editing, as the proofreader compared the printed proof of a manuscript to the edited draft to make sure all changes were included. With the move to electronic editing, the proofreading role has changed to look more like copyediting at a micro level. Ideally, your proofreader is someone who has never seen the manuscript before. After an editor has closely read your story two or three (or more!) times, their eyes will no longer be tuned into missing details.