Copy Editing, Line Editing, Substantive Editing
So, which type of editing do you need? Hopefully, the descriptions below will give you an idea.
COPY EDITING
This is the bare-bottom basic of mechanical editing and should be done after all other editing is complete. It covers:
- Clarity and consistency
- Spelling (includes checking for homonyms)
- Punctuation (periods, commas, semicolons, dashes, etc.)
- Typos
- Grammar (verb tense, numerals, etc.)
A homonym is a word that sounds just like another word but has a different spelling and meaning. (e.g., hear/here/hair; it’s/its, to/too/two). These are words that spell-check won’t usually pick up.
LINE EDITING
This is the mechanical aspect of editing. Line editing includes checking for:
- Copy Editing
- Run-on sentences
- Sentence clarity
- Overuse of adverbs and adjective
- Words used to begin sentences and paragraphs
- And, more
It also checks for certain inconsistencies, such as:
- Are the chapter titles all written the same?
- Are names, such as countries and states, treated the same?
The manuscript is checked line-by-line. This is one of the most common editing requests.
SUBSTANTIVE EDITING
According to the CMS [Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition, 2.46]:
“Substantive editing deals with the organization and presentation of content. It involves improving style within chapters, paragraphs, and sentences, eliminating ambiguity, and tightening. (It should not be confused with developmental editing, a more drastic process; see 2.45.)”
This form of editing is in-depth. This is where the entire story is checked, line-by-line. It includes:
- Line Editing
- Rephrasing/rewriting sentences
- Rephrasing/rewriting paragraphs
- Checking for tight writing
- Check POV (point of view)
- Advising if particular content (sentence/paragraph/story) is appropriate for children
- Checking for clarity
- Checking for readability
- And much more
This form of editing is time consuming and can take up to four weeks.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
This form of editing looks at the big picture and focuses on improving a manuscript’s overall story. It looks at structure, plot, character development, dialogue, and style. The editor will suggest strategies to improve these story elements.
NOTE: It often happens that authors don’t realize the needs of their manuscripts. Your editor should let you know if it’d be a good idea to ‘take it up a notch.’ Obviously, it’s the author’s choice, but the editor should let you know.
What’s the point of paying for line editing or substantive editing if the story’s structure needs an overall.
If you’d like to discuss a project, please email me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com and put “Editing Services” in the subject line (it helps me quickly know it not spam email).