Different Types of Editors
- Jenna Moreci
- Jul 7
- 6 min read
HelloOoOo everybody!
Today, we're talking about the professional edit, everyone’s favorite part of the writing process. Or not. This topic was requested by one of my amazing patrons from over on Patreon, Jadyn. Jadyn, you're so smart and so cool, and I love you…platonically.
Editing a manuscript is tricky; you gotta enlist beta readers, you gotta edit the material yourself. Then once all that's done, you have to browse through a bajillion websites looking for the perfect editor to rip your novel apart. On top of that, there are a bunch of editing styles to choose from. Because life isn't already hard enough, am I right?
Fortunately, I'm here to ease the pain just a little bit. I'm gonna list the most common types of edits and assessments and what you can expect from them.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to also subscribe to my YouTube channel for more writing tips, sarcasm, and of course, more of Princess Butters!
Number 1: Critiques
Also referred to as assessments, a critique is an evaluation of your manuscript. You'll learn about your strengths and weaknesses, recurring mistakes, and suggested tweaks. Critiques can be extremely eye-opening, but keep in mind they are not edits. If someone's providing a critique, they're not gonna fix everything. They’re just giving you an overview.
Now, there are different ways you can solicit critiques. Most writers enlist critique partners, who are fellow writers who agree to critique your manuscript in return for you doing the same for them. But if you want a professional opinion from someone with experience, you can also hire someone to critique your manuscript. If you do decide to hire someone for a critique, it's important to remember that this is not a mandatory expense, nor does it replace the professional edit. I repeat, you still need to hire an editor.
Additionally, there are folks out there who use critiques as a way to dupe naive writers. They'll call themselves an editor, but oddly enough, only offer critique packages. This is a bait-and-switch tactic; they're hoping you won't know the difference between an edit and a critique, and will hire them simply out of ignorance. So be aware that critiques and edits are not the same.
Number 2: Developmental Edits
Also referred to as content edits, developmental editing focuses on the story itself. The structure, organization, and plot points. In this phase, an editor will examine your writing style. They’ll look for inconsistencies within the storyline, crappy pacing, one-dimensional characters, and thematic discrepancies. Basically, they're here to make your story suck less.
During developmental edits, grammar and sentence issues are not the focus. The point of this phase is to make your plot and storyline the best they can be. This is where your content and characters take center stage, and things like punctuation aren't quite as relevant. In my personal opinion, developmental edits are an extremely important part of the editing process because it doesn't matter how pretty your prose is or how perfect your spelling is if your story blows.
Number 3: Line Edits
Our last point looked at your manuscript as a whole. This point looks at it in terms of sentences. Line editing is all about clarity and flow. Your editor is analyzing your sentence structure, fluidity, writing style, and word usage. If your writing is long-winded or your dialogue is unnatural, a line editor will let you know. If your language isn't creating the right visuals or you just keep using the same damn words over and over again, a line editor will let you know.
This phase is sort of half content-focused and half technically focused, but a hundred percent important. A line edit will polish your writing and help ensure that you're telling your story as clearly and beautifully as possible.
Number 4: Copy Edits
Now we're getting super technical. Copy editing is all about making sure your book follows those pesky writing rules. I'm talking spelling, punctuation, grammar, the mechanical stuff. You’re covering it in the copy edit.
Copy editing is really important because not only does it ensure that your writing follows industry standards, but it also makes sure you're following them consistently.
For example, some writers use Oxford commas. Some don’t. That's up to you, and neither is wrong, but you can't flip-flop between using an Oxford comma and not using it. You have to be consistent.
Copy editing also covers less obvious mistakes like inaccuracies within the text, incorrect word usage, or continuity errors. And realistically, no matter how great you are at writing, you're still gonna miss something. Even if you're a grammar buff, I wouldn't recommend swearing off this step.
Number 5: The Proofread
The proofread is kind of tricky because it means two different things depending on who you ask. Some people consider a proofreader to be the person who reads the proof copy of your novel. After your novel is formatted and ready for print, a proofreader will check for formatting errors like faulty spacing, misaligned margins, or the occasional typo. If you're hiring this kind of proofreader, it's assumed that your novel has already been thoroughly edited and is essentially ready for print.
The second type of proofreader is probably the one you're more familiar with; someone who reads through a manuscript looking for typos, spelling and punctuation errors, and other really minor mistakes. They’re not gonna tell you if your story sucks. They're not gonna point out problems with flow or symbolism. They’re just dealing with the nuts and bolts. That means this is a service you would enlist as a safeguard after your book is fully edited but before it's formatted.
When hiring a proofreader, I'd recommend you make sure you're getting the specific kind you're looking for, since there's more than one. And like critiques, a proofread does not serve as a substitute for a professional edit.
Number 6: Does This Mean I Have To Hire Five Different Types of Editors?
Yes and no. Mostly no. Most editors offer packages, and these packages typically include more than one style of edit. For example, an editing package may include copy edits and line edits, or line edits and developmental edits. This is extremely common.
That said, that doesn't mean your manuscript is a one-and-done situation. It’s common to hire more than one editor, or a critique and an editor, or an editor and a proofreader. But the pairing will depend on your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Additionally, these are just the most common types of edits and assessments. There are still other options out there, like sensitivity reading.
Number 7: Sensitivity Edit
A sensitivity reader is someone who reads your manuscript, looking for content that is culturally insensitive or alienating. This is a service that's beyond helpful for writers who are writing about characters in a group or culture that they don't belong to. For example, a straight writer writing about characters in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
Number 8: “But Jennaaa, I Don’t Know What Editing Style I Need. Who Do I Even Hire?”
I'm getting there, relax. First of all, if you're at the professional edit stage, that means you've already enlisted beta readers. Right? Ask them what style of edit your manuscript needs. If they say you don't need any edits, don't believe them. They’re either really nice or really stupid.
You can also ask the editors you're contacting. Most editors offer sample edits, and reading over a section of your story can give them an idea of what elements need the most work.
Number 9: The Final Question
Once you've chosen an editor and finished the process with them, ask them straight up. “Do you think I need another pair of eyes? Do you think I need a proofreader?” They'll be able to give you their honest opinion, and they might even have a few professional recommendations.
Number 10: “But Jennaaa, How Much Is This Going To Cost Me?”
A lot of money, so start saving now! The economy is constantly changing, so you’ll need to do your own research to come up with an up-to-date baseline. If you decide to cut corners and hire an editor who charges below-industry-standard pricing, well, you get what you paid for. That said, critiques, proofreads, and sensitivity readings tend to be cheaper than edits, because they’re less in-depth. But again, they do not serve as a replacement for a full-on professional edit.
So that's all I've got for you today!
The professional edit can be a daunting process, but having a firm understanding of your options makes it a lot easier to navigate.
A huge thank you to Jadyn for requesting this topic. You are a delight.
If you'd like the chance to have a video dedicated to you, or if you want access to tons of other rewards, check me out on Patreon. The link is right here.
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Thank you for outlining the unique roles of different editors so clearly! It’s interesting to consider how a wacky flip approach might challenge conventional editing styles, blending creativity with precision. Would love to hear your thoughts on that!
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