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Publishing a novel is a dream come true for any fiction author, but achieving this dream requires meticulous editing along the way.
Imagine pouring your heart and soul into your story, only to have readers distracted by errors and inconsistencies. It’s heart-wrenching, right?
That’s why understanding the four main types of editing is crucial. Each type ensures your narrative stands out, your characters leap off the page, and your readers remain captivated from beginning to end.
While you can always do some self-editing, there may also be a time when you need to hire a professional.
This post will cover the four main types of editing: developmental, line, copyediting, and proofreading. It will help you decide which type of editing your manuscript needs before it gets published.
The 4 Main Types of Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing focuses on the big picture, or the overall structure, content, and organization, of your story. Developmental editors make sure that the characters in your story are well-developed, the plot is engaging, and the overall narrative is clear and flows well.
Developmental editors look for inconsistencies, plot holes, and areas where your story can be strengthened. They may provide feedback on plot points, character development, pacing, and theme consistency.
Line Editing
Line editing involves a detailed review of your manuscript at the sentence and paragraph level. It digs deeper into the language and style of your writing and focuses on improving your writing style, enhancing clarity, tightening language, and ensuring smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs.
Line editors focus on your voice, tone, and the effectiveness of your writing style. They pay attention to your word choice, sentence structure, pacing, and the overall readability of your story to make sure it’s engaging.
Copyediting
Copyediting is more detail-oriented and focuses on correcting errors and inconsistencies in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax. The primary goal of copyediting is to improve the overall quality and accuracy of your writing.
Copyeditors go over your manuscript line by line to make sure it’s free of technical errors and follows the style guide (typically CMOS) to ensure consistency throughout the text. A copyeditor will also create a style sheet if you have not provided your own. Copyeditors also check for typos and correct awkward phrases.
Tip: Creating your own style sheet is helpful and can speed up the copyeditor’s process!
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final stage before publishing. It’s the last chance to catch any errors that may have slipped through the previous editing stages. It involves meticulously reviewing your manuscript to identify and correct mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
Proofreaders focus on making sure the final version of your document is accurate and consistent. Their role is to provide a polished and error-free manuscript that’s ready to be published.
Tip: Keep in mind that proofreaders are human and are not perfect. A few mistakes may slip through, but significantly less than if a machine were editing your work.
How much do these types of editing cost?
According to the Editorial Freelancers Association, here is what you can expect to pay for each type of editing for fiction manuscripts:
- Developmental Editing: $0.03-$0.04 per word
- Line Editing: $0.025-$0.04 per word
- Copyediting: $0.02-$0.03 per word
- Proofreading: $.012-$0.02 per word
I only included the price per word for each because most freelance editors charge per word. However, some prefer to charge per hour or per page. Be sure to check the EFA website for updated rates and check with the editor to see what and how they charge.
What are editor rates based on?
When hiring a freelance editor, you need to understand why they charge the rates they do. Their rates can be based on several factors, including:
- Type of editing: Different types of editing require different levels of time and expertise.
- Length of manuscript: The word count is a major factor because longer manuscripts need more time and effort to edit.
- How complex the writing is: More complex manuscripts or ones that need a lot of corrections and restructuring will typically cost more.
- Experience and expertise: More experienced editors with specialized skills often charge higher rates. Also, an editor with a proven track record of successful projects may charge more.
- Specialized knowledge: Editors with specialized knowledge in niche genres may charge higher rates because of the expertise required for editing content in those areas.
- Turnaround time: If you require a quick turnaround time, then expect to pay more.
- Industry rates: Editors consider the standard rates within the industry and region to ensure their rates are competitive.
- Scope of the work: The extent of editing needed, including the depth of feedback and the amount of rewriting or restructuring required, will affect the rate.
- Additional services: Some editors may charge extra for additional services, such as fact-checking, formatting, creating style guides, or providing detailed feedback beyond standard editing tasks.
- Tools and resources: Some editors use specific tools, software, or additional resources, which can also affect the cost.
How do editors charge for their services?
Different editors use different pricing models. It just depends on their preferences, the type of editing services offered, the industry standards, and the needs of the author. Here are some ways editors charge for their services:
- Per word: Many editors charge based on the word count, with rates varying by the type of editing. I prefer to charge per word because it gives clients a chance to see an estimated total of their project upfront.
- Per hour: Some editors charge an hourly rate, which varies depending on their experience and the complexity of the work.
- Per page: Editors might charge per page, with rates often around $3 to $10 per page for standard double-spaced manuscript pages.
- Flat fee: For some projects, editors may offer a flat fee based on the word count or estimated time needed to complete the project.
- Per project: Some editors prefer to provide a customized quote for the entire project based on the scope of work, complexity of the editing needed, and any additional services required.
Conclusion
Publishing a novel is a lengthy yet rewarding journey that requires careful attention to detail at every stage. By understanding the different types of editing—developmental, line, copyediting, and proofreading—you can ensure your manuscript is polished to perfection. Each type of editing addresses specific aspects of your work, from overall structure and character development to language precision and final error checks.
Whether you choose to self-edit or hire a professional, investing in thorough editing will elevate your story, captivate your readers, and bring your literary dream to completion. Remember, the effort you put into refining your manuscript will ultimately make the difference between a good book and a great one.
If you’re an editor and you feel comfortable, share how you prefer to charge clients in the comments (by word, by hour, etc.).
If you’re a writer, how do you prefer editors charge you? (By word, by hour, etc.)
