Our Services
Developmental Editing
Also known as substantive or content editing, this type of editing is the deepest, most comprehensive level of edit. Content editing is when we get to discuss the story, character development, plot, and theme.
Does your plot make sense?
Are your characters believable?
Does the world you’ve built seem realistic?
If you’re getting feedback from beta readers that question these elements, you might want to take another look at your story.
As your editor, I would go through chapter by chapter making comments about what works, and yes, about the things that don’t. It’s okay to find both–but if flat (shallow, blah, or just plain boring) characters start showing up or there’s lots of continuity errors, a developmental edit would help you the most.
Line Editing
Line editing focuses on word choices, clarity, consistency, and the strength of each sentence. Could a sentence or paragraph be trimmed up by removing a few words but still keep the intended theme? Feel like you often fall back on using certain words too often (also known as as crutch words)? Did a character’s name happen to change between drafts? You need a line edit.
Copyediting & Proofreading
While copyediting and proofreading are often clumped together in the editing industry, the two processes are quite different.
Copyediting is the technical and grammatical aspect of writing. This where we focus on the placement of punctuation, the spelling of every word, and the structure of every element of grammar. This what a computer spellchecker cannot do on its own.
Proofreading is the very last step before sending your manuscript to the publisher, or to the press if you’re going at it on your own. This step should take place after formatting to make sure that all the boxes were checked off during the copyediting process. It’s best to have a fresh set of eyes take care of the proofreading.