Editing
Editing is an integral part of the writing process. It enhances clarity, coherence and overall readability, ensuring that the writer's message is conveyed effectively and accurately. Without this refining process even the most compelling narrative would be obscured by off-putting structural inconsistencies and grammatical and stylistic errors.
Good editing is much more than correcting typos; it adds nuance and precision, it elevates a text's quality and improves resonance with the reader. In short: it is the fine-tuning that transforms good writing into great writing.
We provide professional editors and proofreaders to all our authors, to help them iron out the kinks and improve the overall structure, flow and consistency of the narrative and maximize its clarity and impact.
Types of editing
Our editors are skilled in all types of editing and can help authors improve their book from the very beginning all the way to the final proofread. Below we discuss the various types of editing we provide.
Manuscript / Proposal Evaluation or Critique
We start with feedback on the overall strengths and weaknesses of a manuscript or book proposal. This does not yet involve any direct editing of the text. Rather, we offer recommendations for improvement.
Developmental Editing
This is a comprehensive form of editing that focuses on the content, structure, and style of a manuscript. Developmental editing addresses "big picture" issues such as pacing, character development (in fiction), clarity of argument (in non-fiction), organization, and content relevance.
A developmental editor might suggest reordering chapters, expanding on certain points, or eliminating sections that don't contribute to the main thesis. They will also assess whether the voice and tone are consistent and appropriate for the target audience. Feedback might be provided on areas that sound inauthentic or that don't align with the intended message.
Developmental editing is not as straightforward as copyediting. Rather than making direct changes to the text, a developmental editor usually offers suggestions, allowing the author to implement revisions. It is a collaborative process. The editor provides the author with detailed feedback, which often sparks a conversation between editor and author that leads to clearer plans for revision. The idea is to preserve the author's voice while guiding them to make their work the best version of itself.
Line Editing
Here we concentrate on the flow of the manuscript. Line editing aims to refine the language, improve the phrasing and ensure consistency in voice and tone. In short, line editing focuses on overall readability.
Copyediting
Copyediting is usually done when we're further along in the process, when we have a manuscript that is in its final stages. It focuses on accuracy, consistency, and clarity. It addresses grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and adherence to a style guide (e.g., APA or Chicago Manual of Style).
Fact-Checking
For non-fiction works, we always verify all factual assertions to ensure accuracy. Nothing undercuts a book's believability more than factual inaccuracies.
Proofreading
This is the final stage of the editing process. Here we focus on leftover typos (we always find a couple), formatting inconsistencies and minor grammatical mistakes.
While other forms of editing, like developmental editing or copyediting, address broader issues related to content, structure, clarity, style, and voice, proofreading is primarily concerned with ensuring correctness and consistency in the final draft. It's the last line of defense against typographical errors and minor inconsistencies before the book is ready to be printed.
N.B. Are you looking to self-publish but want your work to be professionally edited? Contact us below and we'll be happy to give you a quote.