4 Types of Editing: Which One Do You Need?

Trusting your words in the hands of an editor is a big decision. The publishing world tends to speak its own language, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a mystery to you. Let’s look at the four primary types of editing for nonfiction, including what they do and when to use them.

1. Developmental Editing

Once you have a complete draft of your manuscript, a good developmental (or substantive) editor will help you look at the big picture with your reader’s experience in mind. Does the book flow in a logical order? Do you deliver on the promises you’ve made to your reader? Do you need more or less detail, or should you move an illustration to a different chapter?

Editors typically provide feedback through in-document comments and suggestions, as well as an editorial report summarizing the strengths, challenges, and potential areas to rework, move, cut, or add.

Some editors and book coaches will offer a one-on-one conference session following the developmental edit so you can ask questions, clarify suggestions, or brainstorm ideas.

That’s why I offer guided book coaching. When I am able to get to know you, your goals, your ideal reader, and your voice, I can offer more personal and specific guidance in your developmental edit. And I can help you implement any changes, one step at a time.

Remember, developmental editing is looking at the big picture structure and flow. You don’t need to perfect every word before this edit. That will come with the line and copy editing. As writing guru Ann Handley says, “Fixing grammar is copyediting (also important), but it’s more important to get the writing right first.”

“Fixing grammar is copyediting (also important), but it’s more important to get the writing right first.”

Ann Handley, Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content

2. Line & Copy Editing

The goal: to look at every sentence for clarity, coherency, and correctness.

As the name suggests, this type of editing looks line by line at the words you’ve written. Some editors and publishers use the names line and copy editing interchangeably. Others think of them as distinct. Make sure you understand what your editor includes, and doesn’t, when they talk about line, copy, or stylistic editing.

Line editing addresses readability (sentence length, flow, and rhythm), word choice and clarity (active vs passive voice, parallel verb construction, etc.) to refine your manuscript and engage your reader. The editor pays careful attention to sentence structure, tense, and consistency in details and descriptions.

The copy edit is more like your English teacher’s red pen review. This round of editing looks at the technical elements of spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style. The editor will make sure appropriate professional style guidelines are applied. This may include The Chicago Manual of Style, the professional book publishing standard, the American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines, or The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style, as well as any publisher’s house style.

This phase may also include a look at consistent layout and formatting (subheads, placement of pull quotes/charts/illustrations) to create a visual experience that helps guide the reader with consistency throughout your manuscript. 

Editors typically make line and copy edit changes in your document, using tracked changes. If you’re self or hybrid publishing, you’ll decide which changes you want to keep. If you’re traditionally publishing, your publisher may make these calls.

3. Proofreading

This quality control inspection is the last step to make sure your manuscript is in tip-top shape. Sometimes this service will be required by a publisher before you submit your final draft. Other times, it will come after a book is designed and laid out. The proofreader will inspect a “proof” or sample copy before the book goes into production. 

Our human brains are extremely good at filling in what we think should be there. That’s why this extra set of fresh eyes is so important.

A proofreader looks at every line to catch any details that may have been missed:

• typos and errors in spelling (particularly proper names)
• quotation marks
• hyphenation and line breaks
• font and heading styles
• indentation, line spacing, and more

Professional proofreading also double-checks against industry/publisher required style guides, such as The Chicago Manual of Style.

4. Editorial Critique or Review

Like a mini-developmental edit, some editors will offer this service in order to help you make sure you’re on the right track before you do more self-editing. Typically, the cost is less. Feedback will be a more general review of strengths and areas for improvement. They may offer sample suggestions but will not take the time to be detailed throughout the manuscript.

Think of a critique like a beta read from a professional editor’s perspective. Your mom and best friend will be happy to test read your book, but they’re likely going to focus on the positives and might miss key points that impact the book’s ability to stand out to book buyers.

An editorial review can be especially helpful for authors preparing for submission to agents or publishers. It can also be used as a stair-step approach to a full edit—take the feedback and sample edits and apply them to the rest of the manuscript on your own. After you’ve made a round of revisions, come back for a final professional edit.

Find the Right Fit

Even an excellent editor may not be the right fit for you. Cost, availability, and personality are all worthy of consideration when choosing who to work with.

Just remember, a great editor will always be for you. Like a coach, they’ll watch from the sidelines to help you improve your skills. They’ll challenge you to push to the next level, and they will celebrate when you win!