If this is the first professional read-through of your manuscript, you’ll probably want a content editor. Content editing is also commonly referred to as developmental or substantive editing. The content editor’s focus is on clarifying ambiguities, correcting conceptual problems, and maintaining the tone of the manuscript. A content editor:

•Identifies problems with overall clarity or accuracy

•Evaluates the order in which the text is presented and recommends ways to reorganize

•Identifies gaps in content

•Analyzes sentences for structure/syntax

•Suggests or provides clearer explanations, anecdotes, analogies, or illustrations

• Seeks to achieve clarity of subject, logic, and consistency

 

The content editor also typically checks for:

• Vague explanations and/or assumptions

• Poor examples and analogies

• Factual errors

• Inconsistencies in information

 

For a fiction manuscript, a content editor may also identify problems in such areas as:

• Pacing

• Plot

• Dialogue

• Point of view

• Character development

• Setting

• Lack of conflict/tension

• Too much or too little description

 

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Once your manuscript has been cleaned up and you’ve addressed any major issues, you’re ready for a copy edit. Copy editing is like an in-depth proofreading, or a line-by-line edit. The copy editor points out errors/issues to the writer but does not rework awkward or unclear sentences and paragraphs. The writer chooses what to revise based on the editor’s comments. My copy editing services include:

• Making sure material is logical, understandable, and consistent

• Flagging continuity problems

• Reviewing for redundancies, sentence clarity, word choice, and maintenance of tone/voice

• Analyzing the point of view

• Cross-checking references, figures, tables, equations, etc.

 

A copy or line editor also typically checks for:

• Misspelled words (including incorrect word usage)

• Grammatical problems (including verb tenses and syntax)

• Punctuation mistakes (including proper abbreviations and capitalization)

• Inconsistent format

• Letter or sentence spacing errors

• Specialized terms, character names, location references, etc.

• Numerical and alphabetical sequences

 

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If you’re polishing your manuscript to publish and want it to be in the best shape possible, you’ll want a thorough proofread. A proofreader will go over each sentence, checking the grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency, and word usage to ensure the manuscript is ready for publication. A final proofread is the last step in the process of writing and publishing your work and is just as important as a content or copy edit.

 

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