What kind of editor does your book need?
Developmental, line, copy or proof? Six questions about your manuscript, one straight answer, including "not yet" when it is too early to pay anyone.
- 6 questions, about a minute
- No email needed for your answer
Six questions. One honest answer.
Want a person to look at your manuscript?
Leave your details and someone from the Scribe team will get in touch to talk through what your manuscript needs. Your editor finder answers come along with the form.
Rather pick a time yourself? Book a free 15-minute consult or call 512-325-0249.
Thank you. Your details are with the Scribe team.
Someone from Scribe will reach out by email. If you would rather not wait, pick a time for a free consult.
From the whole book down to the comma
Each kind of edit fixes a different problem, and they work best in this order. Paying for a later edit before an earlier one usually means paying twice.
Developmental editing
The big picture: is this the right book for the reader, does the argument hold, what is missing, what should go. More on developmental editing.
Line editing
The reading experience: rhythm, clarity, repetition and voice, sentence by sentence. Line editing vs copyediting.
Copyediting
Correctness and consistency: grammar, usage, style, names, numbers, and a style sheet for your book. Copyediting vs proofreading.
Proofreading
The final check on the finished pages: typos, missing words, bad breaks, page numbers.
Common questions
What are the main types of book editing?
Four, in this order: developmental editing (the shape and argument of the whole book), line editing (how each sentence reads), copyediting (grammar, consistency and style) and proofreading (the last check for typos on the final pages). Types of editing compares them side by side.
Do I need all four kinds of editing?
Not always. A tightly structured draft from a strong writer may skip straight to a copyedit. But almost every book that will be sold needs at least a copyedit and a proofread, and most first books benefit from a big-picture read before that.
Should I hire an editor before my draft is finished?
Usually not. Editors work on pages, and books change a lot between a partial draft and a full one. If you are stuck on structure early, a book coach or an outline review is a better use of money than an edit.
How does the editor finder decide?
It weighs where your manuscript is, what worries you most, who has read it, how you will publish, your budget and how you feel about writing. The exact rules are written out on the about page.
Who made this?
Scribe Media, a book writing and publishing company in Austin, Texas that has published more than 3,000 books. Scribe sells editing as part of its services; the finder will often tell you to self-edit or find beta readers first.