Module 2 · Getting the Manuscript Ready for Production
Editing, explained without the jargon
What you'll understand: Understand the levels of editing and which one your manuscript is asking for.
"Editing" is four different jobs wearing the same word. They happen in this order, and each assumes the one before it is done.
- Developmental editing
- Looks at the whole book: structure, argument, pacing, what's missing and what's repeated. It can lead to significant rewriting, which is why it comes first.
- Line editing
- Works at the paragraph and sentence level: clarity, rhythm, repetition, tone. The content stays; the prose gets tightened.
- Copyediting
- Grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency, house style. Names, dates and terminology are made consistent throughout.
- Proofreading
- The final safety net, ideally on the laid-out pages: typos, broken hyphenation, page numbers, stray formatting.
Which one does your book need?
It depends on the manuscript. Some manuscripts need substantial editorial work; others need only limited editing. A manuscript nobody has read critically often benefits from a developmental read first. A manuscript that has already been edited may need little more than a final proof review after formatting. The appropriate level is decided against the manuscript and the agreed plan.
Why this matters
Matching the level to the manuscript matters in both directions: a proofread won't fix a structural problem, and a developmental edit on a settled manuscript may not be needed at all.
What to do with this information
Note which level you believe your manuscript needs, and what editing it has already had. You don't need to have hired an editor before talking to anyone.
Quick check
No score, no pass mark — just a way to check the idea landed.
Which type of editing is best done after the book is laid out in pages?
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