What is developmental editing?
You have some great ideas for a book – maybe even a full manuscript – but you’re not sure how to frame your arguments, or perhaps early readers have found your writing difficult to follow. Developmental editing helps clarify and refocus your thoughts.
Developmental editing involves:
- identifying the core thesis of the book with a specific audience in mind
- structuring or restructuring the project to make the thesis clear and convincing.
Developmental editing can involve substantial changes, so it’s best to work through this stage before you think about stylistic language editing (line editing) or copyediting.
What is line editing?
Line editing, also known as stylistic editing, is all about the craft of writing.
It looks at:
- the flow and pace of a manuscript
- vocabulary and syntax
- the overall effect of the language.
Line editing typically focuses more on the content, flow and readability of a text than copyediting. For this reason, line editing usually happens before a copyedit.
What is copyediting?
Copyediting focuses on grammar, misspellings and consistency.
Copyediting involves:
- correcting language errors, including typos, incorrect grammar and punctuation, and inappropriate use of vocabulary
- identifying any remaining problems or inconsistencies with the argument and ideas and the logical flow
- making further suggestions on the structure of the text and removing repetition
- ensuring consistency of text, images and formatting, both within the manuscript and with any guidelines you send us
- fact-checking.
Read more about our copyediting services.
What is proofreading?
Proofreading involves ironing out the final creases when your book is in its final layout. If that’s what you need, click here.