Writers who don’t like to edit their work – or who don’t even bother trying – may be shocked to learn there are not one, but six – SIX – different types of editing you’re ignoring. In an article for Writer’s Digest, Tiffany Yates breaks it down.
“Before you start looking to hire a professional editor, it’s essential to know the different types of editors and the services each offers, and which one(s) you may need at what stage of the writing and publishing process,” Yates writes. The six types are:
- Developmental. These editors look at the big picture – plot, pace, structure POV – and will provide some details notes on tension, characters, and your prose.
- Overview. Similar to a developmental review, but without detailed notes.
- Line edit. A line editor will give you a line-by-line critique of your prose – dialogue, flow, grammar, redundant phrasing – but will not address big picture items like plot, structure, etc.
- Authenticity edit. While not a traditional edit, an authenticity reader will vet your work for stereotypes or other issues where a cultural insider’s perspective may be helpful.
- Copy edit. Copy editors review your manuscript for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and possibly fact-checking.
- Proofreading. A proofreader helps you catch any leftover spelling or punctuation mistakes, as well as errors introduced during the publication process, such as formatting or pagination issues.
