Editing
Editing your writing is an essential part of the publishing process. Although the task may seem overwhelming, it can be divided into four main phases.
1) Developmental Editing
- looking at the greater picture
- putting ideas together, creating a detailed outline, and forming them into a book
- focusing on organization, pacing, characters, point of view, plot, and theme
2) Content Editing
- looking at sections, chapters, and paragraphs
- evaluating the construction of ideas, the narrative, tone, and voice
- focusing on structure, presentation, flow, and completeness
3) Copyediting
- looking at sentences and words
- ensuring the style guide is followed, typically The Chicago Manual of Style
- focusing on syntax, word choice, grammar, spelling, punctuation
4) Proofreading
- looking at the final book proof
- reviewing typos, page numbering, heading consistency, line and page breaks
- focusing on typography, layout, and formatting
Working through these editing phases with a professional is incredibly important and will ensure readers can truly enjoy your book.
Ready to share your manuscript and start the editing process? Submit your work HERE.