Mapping the Editing Maze

You want your book to read like the version you envision or hear in your head. But while you may have heard the expression, “Write fearlessly, edit mercilessly,” the fastest path to a great book isn’t just “more editing.”

Instead, focus on the right editing. Work with your editor to determine a minimum effective edit while defining a clear scope and price. This post translates the editing maze into author‑side decisions so you keep control of cost, calendar, and creative voice.

What each edit does for you

Editorial assessment

Too often, authors forget about an editorial assessment to review the overall manuscript “health” of their book. Generally a short diagnostic letter, the assessment will provide an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript, as well as plot, pacing, overall structure, and character development, as applicable for your book and genre. There are no in-line edits with an editorial assessment; the goal is to help the author understand how to prioritize their efforts.

Developmental editing

A developmental edit fixes the bones of your book. You’ll get a straight‑talk, substantive editorial letter of 10 - 12 pages that include select page notes that show patterns, and a next‑draft plan you can act on. Grammar, specific line editing, etc., is not included in the letter.

A non-fiction developmental edit will focus on structure, pacing, and how to streamline your argument in individual chapters and across the book. It will also consider potential holes in your content and review supporting materials and/or sources. 

A fiction developmental edit will focus structure, stakes, point of view, pacing, characterization, and world logic. 

Importantly, regardless of genre or category (non-fiction / fiction), developmental editing will bear your target audience in mind and assess your work in relation to industry standards and expectations. 

Line editing

If the story works but the sentences don’t sing, a line edit tunes clarity, rhythm and pacing, tone, and continuity. You’ll see tracked changes and importantly, margin notes that teach you why edits work so you can repeat the craft on later chapters. 

Line editors will address stiff or unrealistic dialogue, tonal inconsistencies, run-on sentences, and other “tics” that affect the overall reading experience. They’ll work on every single line of your manuscript and as much as possible, stay faithful to your particular style of writing. This is critically important; line editors consider carefully author word choices and tone so as not to lose the author’s voice. 

Copy editing

A copyedit cleans grammar, usage, hyphenation, and terminology while enforcing a style sheet so decisions stay uniform. A great copy editor will improve the manuscript’s readability, create consistency, clarify sentences to support or strengthen prose, and consider factual correctness. 

Proofreading

The last stage in the editing process, a proofread is your final insurance pass to catch lingering typos, layout glitches, and broken references before you spend any money on printing. A proofread is especially helpful after the manuscript has been designed (both inside and out!) so as to eliminate any potential errors before going to press. 

Why investing in a full editorial path matters…

Strong books typically travel the full editorial path. Think of the best-selling books from top publishers; they’re mistake free, engaging, and stylistically consistent. Each phase of the editorial process targets a different layer of quality, and together they reduce - and hopefully eliminate! - surprises at launch. (Not to mention, mistakes cost more the later they’re caught!)

For example: structural fixes made during copy edit can waste valuable time and potentially dilute your voice. Likewise, skipping the proofreading stage can turn small errors into “public errata,” require costly reprints, and perhaps worst of all, cause reader frustration (thus resulting in fewer sales!) .

You guessed it! Sticking to the full editorial path means a lot for author sales! “Clean” (error-free) files move through retailer systems faster, which means fewer rejections and returns, and in turn, also makes your ads work harder because readers get exactly the book you promised. Planning audio, large print, or foreign rights? The same polished text drops in without extra rounds, meaning less expense for you, and more money in your pocket. 

…but sometimes, you’re on a budget… 

Believe us, we get it! Check out our next blog about budget editing to learn more about how to balance your big goals with a smaller wallet. 

…and if you’re ready to invest, scope out what works best for you. 

You wouldn’t (hopefully!) buy a house without knowing what you’re getting, right? Same for editing and self-publishing services! Agree on and put the scope for what you’re paying for in writing before work begins! And of course, always read your contract once you receive it, to ensure that it is, indeed, what you agreed on. Finally, should there be scope changes on either side, you should expect an honest conversation about revised fees. 

Your move!

If you want a precise plan and price for your manuscript, book a 30‑minute Exploratory Diagnostic. From there, we’ll provide you with a level recommendation, a written scope, a calendar, and a firm per‑word quote—no vague packages, no surprises.

Book Your Book!

Cover photo credit: Oleg Hasanov