Annabella Farmer

Editing

Whether your project is a novel, an essay, a piece of academic writing or a proposal, a good editor can help you ensure that your words shine as they deserve to. Editing takes place at several phases of a project, and each phase serves a specific purpose. So, what type of editing do you need? There are 5 basic tiers:

Developmental Editing

Developmental editing addresses the structure and ideas of an entire manuscript. An editor helps an author formulate the overall framework and conceptual foundation of their book. For example, if an author has an idea for a collection of essays but is unsure of its structure, a developmental editor would guide them in organizing the manuscript.

Substantive Editing

Substantive editing focuses on sections or chapters of the manuscript, making significant changes without altering the overall structure. This type of editing involves refining content within larger sections. For instance, an editor might suggest restructuring or removing several chapters to improve the narrative flow.

Line Editing

Line editing is about refining the text within and between paragraphs. This stage emphasizes qualities such as rhythm, tone, voice, style, and flow. A line editor ensures that the writing is engaging and that the transitions between paragraphs are smooth and coherent, enhancing the overall readability of the manuscript.

Copy Editing

Copy editing delves into sentence-level corrections, focusing on grammar, sentence structure, and adherence to style guides. Editors ensure that the text follows specific language rules, such as those outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style for book publishers or the AP Style Guide for periodicals. They address issues of grammar, punctuation, and syntax to ensure clarity and consistency throughout the manuscript.

Proofreading

Once a manuscript is in its near-final form, a proofreader will meticulously review content to identify and resolve errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and syntax. They also perform visual checks to ensure correct formatting, such as proper placement of headers, footers, and page numbers, making sure that the manuscript is polished and ready for publication.

If any (or several) of these editing levels sound right for you, please contact Annabella to discuss your project, goals, timeline, and to get a quote.

If you’re looking for a critique, please see Manuscript Critiques.