Types of fiction editing: how to choose the right one for you

When it comes to choosing the right editor for your manuscript, one of the most important things is to understand what type of editing it needs. This often depends on the publishing route you’ve decided on, as well as what stage you’re at with your book. Let’s look at the main types of fiction editing and the best times to book your editor.

Structural Editing

Also known as developmental editing, content editing, “big picture” editing, or substantive editing, structural editing focuses on the foundations of your book, such as plot, characterisation, pacing, narrative, voice, conflict, and world-building. Many developmental editors prefer to work with completed drafts that have gone through a few rounds of self-editing. Self-editing may include using beta readers and implementing their feedback, taking a break from your manuscript in order to gain some distance and editing it afterwards with fresh eyes, or workshopping it in a writing group.

However, some editors are happy to do a “big picture” edit before your draft is complete as it can be beneficial if you’re stuck on foundational elements and need a professional opinion. This may take a form of on-going coaching or one-off sessions that focus on a specific issue such as plotting or characterisation. A manuscript assessment can also sometimes be appropriate in this situation as it can bring to light any potential issues to address.

Whatever the case, developmental editing should be done before sentence-level editing, as structural edits usually result in rewriting at least some of your manuscript and there is no point in sentence-level editing until your main elements are in place.

Sentence-level Editing

This type of editing is exactly what it sounds like: working on sentences, their flow, style, voice continuity, transitions, POV issues, word choices, as well as more technical points such as grammar and spelling.

It can be roughly divided into two separate subtypes: copyediting and line-editing. Let’s look at each of them in more detail.

What is copyediting?

Copyediting is the more technical side of sentence-level editing and focuses on grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choices, and generally continuity throughout the manuscript. It also ensures consistency in fonts, headings, captions underneath any illustrations, photography, or artwork, as well as continuity of character and place names, ages, descriptions, etc.

What is line editing?

Line editing is sometimes also called heavy copyediting because it looks at deeper issues at sentence level, such as flow, transitions between paragraphs and chapters, POVs and any issues with them, clarity, readability, general writing style, and voice continuity. This is where any clunky or confusing writing goes to get polished and tightened.

Both copyediting and line editing should be done after all structural editing is finished.

Proofreading

Proofreading is performed at the very final stages of the editing process, after structural and sentence-level editing. The reason for that is that if you get your manuscript proofread and then make changes to it, you will need to proofread it again.

Proofreading focuses on picking up on anything that was missed during copyediting, such as grammar, spelling, continuity and consistency, chapter headings, page numbers, illustrations or other artwork, and any formatting.

What type of editing do you need for your manuscript?

The type of editing you choose often depends on the publishing route you’re planning to take.

Traditional publishing (the Big Five and small presses)

If you’re planning to pursue traditional publishing for your book, all the editing will be provided by your publisher as part of your book deal. However, you may still decide to have your manuscript edited if, for example, you’re struggling with getting an agent and feel that a professional edit will improve your chances. This is by no means a requirement and it’s important to be careful with any editor who tries to pressure you into hiring them.

Other reasons you may choose to hire a freelance editor if you’re planning to publish traditionally could be that you’re unsure about your grammar or spelling and feel that your manuscript would benefit from a professional copyedit or proofreading, or that you’re getting consistent feedback on a specific issue with your manuscript but have been unable to fix it by self-editing or workshopping with writing groups.

Self/indie publishing

If you’re self-publishing / indie publishing, you will be responsible for all editing and it is often beneficial to hire a professional editor for some or all of the edits above.

When to Book Your Editing

Freelance editors can get booked up several months or even years in advance, so it’s important to plan ahead. Use this general guide to figure out when to book each type of editing.

When to Book Developmental Edits

For any big picture editing, including editorial/manuscript assessments and full developmental edits, book several months in advance and check if your preferred editor only edits completed drafts or whether they would be able to help with “big picture” elements before you have finished your draft. This might mean that you will need to start choosing your editor while you’re still writing or self-editing your draft.

It might be worth adding a month or two after your estimated completion date in order to self-edit or get feedback from any beta readers.

When to Book Sentence-Level Edits

For copyediting and line editing, book for the time after your manuscript has been through at least one round of developmental edits and has been subsequently self-edited to reflect any feedback from your editor. Give yourself enough time for reflection and self-editing so you don’t end up rushing.

When to Book Proofreading for Your Manuscript

Book this final stage of editing for after any developmental and sentence-level edits have been finalised. This is the type of editing that you will do right before you publish your book, if self-publishing, or before you send it to agents and editors if you’re pursuing traditional publishing.