Not Sure What You Need in an Editor?

Editing is a tricky thing. Maybe you’ve written a manuscript and are eager to get it out there for the world to see, but how do you know its really ready? Maybe your story is perfect but riddled with spelling errors or maybe the grammar is perfect but the structure of your story is not adding up the way you want. Sometimes writers need their manuscripts edited for particular things and other times maybe it’s a little bit of everything. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for in an editor this short guide will help.

1.) Developmental - A Developmental Editor is essentially the core of fiction writing. This generally covers the big things—the very essence of the manuscript while not seeking to write new material. This involves the plot and all around ideas of a manuscript. Science Fiction and Fantasy writers often require the aid of Developmental Editors to make sure their world adds up, makes sense, and is feasible for readers to be invested in. Often times, a Developmental Editor will help the author find and remain with their vision and voice, suggesting tone changes on a larger scale that encompass every page.. Often times first time writers are looking for some form of this editing.

1.) Line - A Line Editor is very specific, down to the details editing. As the name suggests, this is taking a look at a manuscript line-by-line and correcting for grammar, correct usage of words, tone, and flow. These aspects are more prominent in short stories or poems where there is a lot less content the reader will be digesting. Line editing often runs the risk of changing manuscripts when a writer is looking for a certain tone. For example, a line editor might nose-dive straight into horror, informing the author that their structure and word usage is not leaning into the genre hard enough and therefore bits and pieces, or entire segments, need to be re-done. In larger manuscripts Line Editors will commonly be tasked with a climax of the story, the beginning , or the finale.

3.) Copywrite - A Copywrite Editor is a form of a high-powered Line Editor. Copywrite generally focuses in on grammar, sentence structure, and fact-checking—all the integral parts of a proper manuscript. This is a much more broad generalized form of line editing and is usually the last stage of editing before a manuscript is deemed fit for print or release.