Developmental editors, illustrators, line editors, manuscript evaluators, copy editors, and more!
Writerwerx University
How do you publish a book? One step at a time! Learn those steps (for free) at WriterwerxUniversity.c
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
What is Book Editing?
Book editing is a broad term that refers to the development of a manuscript. Books go through various forms of editing before they hit the market, whether they are commercially (traditionally) published or independently (self) published.
Many new writers use the term “book editor” without understanding that they are referring to an umbrella term that encompasses a multitude of professionals and disciplines. When they use the term, they may just be thinking “Someone who can make my book stronger!”
So, Not All Book Editors are the Same?
Not at all. Book editors run the gamut from developmental and line editors to typesetters and proofreaders. Some are working on the visual editing of the work (or the book “design”), while others are working on strengthening the content of the manuscript (how concepts and instructions are conveyed, how well characters are portrayed, etc.). Here is a list of some of the most common types of book development and design professionals:
- Developmental Editor: Help with outlining (planning) books, manuscript evaluations, and restructuring the books that are submitted to them for developmental editing.
- Line Editor: Focus on how ideas are expressed throughout the piece on a sentence-by-sentence (“line-by-line”) basis. Especially helpful when someone is writing in a second language since it is easy to use phrases, anecdotes, analogies, and metaphors that don’t always directly translate well.
- Sensitivity Reader: These are folks from a particular demographic who use their eye for language and context to warn authors about writing in hurtful stereotypes and generalizations about specific populations (gay men, African-Americans, people with disabilities, etc.).
- Researcher: These professionals sift through a manuscript making sure that all facts and figures are accurate and appropriately cited. If there are statements made that require research to be cited, they will hunt the information down.
- Copy Editor: This specialist corrects the mechanics of the language that the piece is written in. They will make sure that the syntax, usage, punctuation, spelling, and other grammatical parameters are appropriate for clean, easy reading.
- Typesetter: Also called “layout specialist,” “book designer,” or similar titles, this professional is only concerned with how the text and images look on the page. This may mean a digital page, for e-books, such as a computer or phone screen. For paperback and hardcover books, this means on a sheet of paper of the trim size the author has chosen.
- Proofreader: This is the last professional to lay hands on the book before it goes live for sale. They are looking for any mistake they can find that might have worked its way past the other editors and the author.
A Book Editor Won’t Make My Manuscript Perfect?!
There is no such thing as a “perfect” book. Take a look at any author with even moderate commercial success. They have 1-star reviews from people who read their book and hated it. There is no way to please every single person who reads a book. That’s because everyone is different and likes different things.
With editing, your book editors are all human beings. No professional is going to deliver a flawless product. Each professional you hire helps you come closer to clarity. You want to make what you want to tell your reader as clear as you can without handing them your outline. You want to give them the experience that you envisioned when you first thought the book up.
For years after the book is published, you (or others) may find things that don’t make sense or a typo here and there. This happens even to trade published authors, so it’s no wonder it happens to indie authors!