Are you at the editing stage, but you are wondering what type of editing your book needs? This article will give you insight into the types of editing. It will also point you in the direction you need to go and which type of editing your book needs at this stage.
Developmental Editing
This is the first among the types of editing, because it usually takes place before the manuscript is complete. Developmental editing involves much more than correcting the grammar and spelling in a book. It is made up of rewrites and idea formation to help flesh out the content of a book. A developmental editor helps the writer reconstruct the story, especially of it has run out of logic or sequence. For instance, if a writer has disjointed storylines and is struggling to piece them together into a logical whole, he/she will need a developmental editor.
During developmental editing, the editor looks broadly at the manuscript, its structure, and content. The developmental editor also looks critically at how the reader will receive the writing in its present state and if the work will help the author achieve his/her goals as it is.
The editor reviews and critiques the contents of the book and makes suggestions on how to fix gaps and make the storyline more relatable and reader-friendly.
When Do I Need A Developmental Editor?
You need a developmental editor if your writing is jumbled up and haphazard. If there are too many ideas and they do not flow or make any sense together, you need a developmental editor. Get a developmental editor to review your manuscript after you have written the first draft. The editor will help you identify loopholes in your book so that you can fix them early.
Copy Editing
Copy editing is one of the more common types of editing. It can be termed the most popular type of editing. Copy editing involves correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and accuracy. A copy editor will ensure that your ideas are clear and well-communicated in the best words. He/she will also fix errors that can cause ambiguity or convey a completely wrong idea to your readers.
When Do I Need A Copy Editor?
You need a copy editor when you have got your plot straight and your story has come together in a logical manner. You need a copy editor to correct grammatical errors and bad spellings. You also need a copy editor to ensure that pictures are placed next to what they refer to or add more information about. While developmental editing may be optional, as long as your writing has no loopholes or plot holes, copy editing is necessary for every piece of writing.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the most surface-level of all the types of editing. It involves correcting wrong punctuation and misspellings. A proofreader looks out for surface-level mistakes that make your writing untidy and unprofessional, unlike a copy editor who looks out for not just surface-level mistakes, but also looks out for more in-depth errors that can affect semantics. The proofreader is more interested in the final presentation, while the editor goes beyond that to see if the writer’s ideas are well conveyed.
When Do I Need A Proofreader?
You need a proofreader after your manuscript has been edited by a copy editor. Proofreading is the icing on the cake, and a proofreader will dot your Is and cross your Ts. Some people proofread after the manuscript has been formatted by the publisher, while others proofread before sending their manuscripts to the publisher for formatting and printing.
These are the three types of editing. We hope you now have a clearer understanding of each type of editing, as well as at what stage you need each of the types of editing. At My Sharp Pen Editing Services, we provide all three types of editing, and you can send your manuscript from anywhere in the world on our website. Don’t publish that book without getting it thoroughly edited. Email us today at contact@mysharppenediting.com
RELATED POST Free Editing vs. Professional Editing