A lot of new writers have questions about the editing process and the types of manuscript editing available. There can also be confusion about it, which can lead to issues when it’s time to edit your manuscript. So, if you’re wondering what type of editing you need and when you need it, this is for you. 

What Type of Editing Do You Need? It Depends on A Lot of Things

The type of editing you need will depend on where you are in the writing process and what level of work your manuscript needs to be ready for submission or publication (if you’re self-publishing).

Do you need help with the plot or pacing? Are you done revising and need an extra set of eyes on your manuscript? Are you pretty much done with your book and need someone to check for inconsistencies and correct things like grammar and punctuation? 

Knowing this will help you figure out what type of editing you need. 

Types of Editors and the Editing They Do

There are many types of editors and you may use more than one, or go through different processes with an editor before your book is ready to submit or publish. 

Below is a breakdown of the types of editors and the editing they do. Some do all of this type of editing, and some specialize or will only do one. Just to note, editors aren’t to be confused with proofreaders. Proofreaders are the final quality check in the process and they go over your manuscript once it has completed the editing process but before it goes to print. They look for final grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. They also ensure your book is formatted correctly and that your ‘proof’ is ready for printing. 

Developmental Editing

Developmental editing assists in molding your book to professional standards and reader expectations. You can use developmental editors to help with plot, pacing, tone, style, and more. Developmental editing can help you create a fully fleshed-out story.

Line Editing

Sometimes called content editing, line editing is not quite as in-depth as developmental editing. This type of editing can help catch inconsistencies and other mistakes. Line or content editors will usually give many suggestions as well, on everything from language usage to pacing and beyond. These are the most commonly used editors because they do all this and the bulk of the copy editing on your book. Line editing will not replace developmental editing if that’s what is wanted or needed though.

Copy Editing

Copy editors mostly look for grammatical and usage errors as well as spelling mistakes and typos. Again, copy editing is not the same as proofreading. Copy editors will not do what line editors do, but they will make sure what is there on the page is up to par as far as a clean manuscript goes. 

Many first-time authors make the mistake of believing they only need a copy editor when truly, they need a line/content editor, and sometimes even a developmental editor. This type of editing is usually best for polished manuscripts that have been revised multiple times, gone through the beta reading process, or otherwise received plenty of feedback. Oftentimes, a manuscript will go through the line editing process before it’s time for a copy editor. 

When Should I Connect With an Editor? It Depends on the Type of Editing You Need

You should connect with an editor once you determine the type of editing you need. The earlier the better. You don’t want to wait until your pub date is a month out or a submission deadline is looming. The editing process can take time. And the more work needed, the more time it may take. You can determine the level of work you need by having a consultation with an editor too.  But below I’ll cover some questions you can ask to not only determine what type of editing you will need, but when you should approach an editor for help. 

How Far Along in the Process Are You?

If your manuscript is in the works and you’re finding yourself stuck, or you have a rough first draft and can’t seem to figure out how to revise or improve your work, you may need developmental editing. It’s best to contact a developmental editor and to do so earlier rather than later.

On the other hand, if you’ve done multiple revisions, gotten feedback on your manuscript, and feel like it could just benefit from a critical eye, you can probably get away with line editing. In this case, start looking for an editor the moment you feel like you’ve done all the revising you can.  Remember, the editing process can take time, no matter what type of editing you need. 

Which brings me to the whole revision thing. 

How Many Revisions Have You Done?

This will factor into figuring out what type of editing you need in a major way. If you haven’t done at least two complete revisions, and you don’t need developmental editing, you probably need to do them before you even talk to an editor. The editor won’t be expecting you to hand them a first rough draft if they are simply doing line editing. 

If you haven’t done multiple revisions you can, at the very least, expect the process to take longer than expected. So, get in touch with an editor asap and expect a timeline of up to six months. Plan your pub date accordingly. 

Similarly, you won’t get great results if you’re paying for a copy edit when you need line editing or developmental editing. If you’ve only left enough time for a copy edit, your book can easily end up being below professional standards for publishing. Many new authors look back in regret on their first books because they waited too long to find an editor or chose not to have as much editing done as they needed. 

However, if you’ve revised so many times you’ve lost count, gotten feedback from trusted sources and beta readers and everything is on point, you’ll likely be fine with a copy editing. This can mean a shorter turnaround time. Sometimes though, you’ll use a copy editor after a line editor has gone over your manuscript. But if your manuscript is in top shape, line editing or, sometimes, just copy editing will get the job done. Remember, proofreaders will come after all of this.

By now, you have probably picked up that it’s a good idea to contact an editor and have a consultation as early as possible, right?

Determining What Type of Editing You Need Requires Honesty

This is where you need to be honest with yourself. Have you read, and then re-read, and revised until your eyes are ready to fall out? Are you savvy with grammar, style, and usage of language? Are you solidly familiar with your genre?  Is plot and pacing an issue? Have you had other writers, or friends at least, give you honest feedback? Did you seek out beta readers already?

You have to know where you really stand and you have to be willing to do the work. If all else fails, simply have a consultation with an editor and see where you are at according to them. And again, do this long before your planned pub or submission date. You can trust an experienced editor to give it to you straight. If they tell you your manuscript needs more work than you believe it does, it’s best to default to their opinion. Remember, editors want your book to be the best it can possibly be. They’re here to help and they have a love for the craft. They’re also going to see things how you, or even friends or family, do not. They are working from experience and knowledge of standards and the industry. 

What Do I Need to Do and What Should I Look For?

Before you talk to an editor, even if you have determined you’re early on in the process and will need developmental editing help, you need to make sure your manuscript is up to certain standards. This will save you time and money and make the editor happy. 

You can read all about preparing your manuscript for editing here. 

It’s About a Good Fit

As far as what to look for, it’s always good to first try to get recommendations from colleagues and friends who are also writers, or from a professional assisting you in your publishing journey. Often these people have connections. If you are in a writing group, ask the members for recommendations.

If you aren’t in a position to get a referral, find reputable sources and be thorough in your research. Check the websites of organizations such as The Alliance of Independent Authors(ALLi) or the Independent Book Publishers Association (ibpa). They provide plenty of resources and help you avoid scams. Then make sure you vet your potential editor by feeling them out. Finding a good fit is your goal. You’ll be working with them for a while, so good communication and trust should be your top concerns. 

Essentially, you want to have a good consultation. Because an editor can make or break your book. But to get the most out of the process, you need to do some work too! That’s why I wanted to share all of the above information with you. Editing is a process and both parties need to participate and be on the same page. No pun intended. 

The Sooner You Find an Editor, the Better

Ultimately, the sooner you start looking for an editor, the better, no matter what type of editing you need. If you wait until your intended pub date is looming and there is a lot of work to do, there can be issues. Or you will be charged much higher fees to fit a deadline. If you’re still unsure of what type of editor or editing you need, reaching out to a potential editor will solve this issue. They’ll let you know how much editing you need and what you can expect as far as a timeline and fees.

Good luck and happy writing!