The Different Types Of Book Editing And Why You Need Them

If it’s your first time searching for a book editor, you may be feeling confused about all the different editing terms out there. Book editors namely list services for content editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading.

Each kind of editing has a unique objective. Here, we’ll discuss what those objectives are and how they might serve you.

Copy Editing

The terms copy editing and line editing are often used interchangeably. This is understandable, as they’re similar and tend to overlap, but they do maintain distinctiveness in certain ways. So what is the difference between copy editing and line editing? Essentially, it’s that copy editing is more technical, whereas line editing is more stylistic.

Examples of things that might be corrected in a copy edit include spelling, grammar, inconsistent use of hyphens or capitalization (so think style guide rules), factually incorrect information, and other inconsistencies, such as saying that a character lives with her grandma in one chapter and then mentioning that same character is living with an aunt in another chapter, or spelling the name of a fictional restaurant differently in one chapter than the next.

Line Editing

Stylistic edits that would be considered line edits can include the correction of inexplicable tonal shifts, redundancy in word usage or from repetition of the same information, clunky phrasing, confusing action scenes, poor transitions, and dialogue issues, such as awkward attributions and flat conversations.

When getting into areas like word usage, awkward phrasing, and tightening up sentences or paragraphs, it becomes hard to decipher between line editing and copy editing. Those would be instances in which I’d consider there to be overlap between the two.

Now, some book editors out there will tell you that line editing and copy editing can’t be done simultaneously. I’m going to call bull on that. I think it’s just some editors’ way of trying to squeeze more money out of clients or to avoid doing a type of editing they may not enjoy so much.

I’ve even come across articles where the authors insist you need to hire two different people to handle line editing and copy editing because one person won’t possess both skill sets. Also a bunch of bull, in my opinion. I believe a well-qualified editor should have the ability to make both types of edits for you.

Content Editing

“This type of editing focuses on the big picture.”

Content editing is known by many other names, such as developmental editing, macro editing, and substantive editing. This type of editing focuses on the big picture. Someone doing a content edit of your book will evaluate character development, plot, pacing, readability, believability, and other structural issues, then provide feedback on how to make improvements.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the last step of the editing process; the final polish before publication. It involves checking for errors that may have been missed in other phases of editing or forgotten during revisions. If you hire an editor for content editing, copy editing, and/or line editing, they may offer a final proofread for you at a reduced rate.

What Kind Of Book Editing Do You Need?

If you’re still working through the first draft of your book and feel uncertain or insecure about how all the plot elements will come together, it’s a good idea to place priority on content editing, or even to consider book coaching. You might find it helpful to get an opinion as you build out the story in order to mitigate future structural mistakes, which is what you’d call a partial manuscript content edit.

If you already have a completed first draft, copy editing or line editing may be preferable, or a package that includes a mix of copy editing, line editing, and content editing.

Have more questions about the best type of editing for you or what to expect from the process? Don’t hesitate to email me.

MJ Biggs is the author of the novel A Wonderful Place To Die.