Types of editing
Which edit does your book need?
Five kinds, from first read to final proof, in the order they happen.
The five edits
What each one does
From the big picture to the final page
Editors work in this order, so no one polishes sentences that are about to be cut.
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“Is this working, and what should I fix first?” One full read of your manuscript, and a letter that tells you where it stands: what is working, what is missing, and what to fix first.
1.8¢ a word
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“Is this the right book, in the right shape?” The big-picture edit. Your editor works through the whole book’s shape: what to keep, cut, add or move, and what the book is trying to be.
6¢ a word
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“Does every sentence say it well, in my voice?” Paragraph by paragraph and sentence by sentence, in your voice: flow, rhythm, clarity and word choice.
4.5¢ a word
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“Is it correct and consistent?” Correctness and consistency: grammar, spelling, punctuation, and the details a reader would trip over.
3.5¢ a word
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“Is the printed page clean?” The last check, on the typeset pages, before your book goes to the printer.
2.2¢ a word
Do you need all of them?
Usually not.
Most first memoirs need three:
- A manuscript critique, to find out where the book stands.
- A copyedit, once the draft is final.
- A proofread, on the formatted pages.
A developmental edit comes in when the critique shows the structure needs real work. A line edit comes in when the writing itself needs it. All of our rates are on the Services page.
Not sure which edit you need?
Tell us about your book. We’ll read a sample and recommend the edit it needs, with a written quote.