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You know editing is important. But do you know the five different types of editing, and how to hire the right type of editor for your book?
One of the most confusing issues for new writers is that there are so many different types of editing. And, making matters worse, some of the same types go by different names. It’s almost as if the editing world had an identity crisis.
There are actually at least five different types of editing. Be sure to know which type you want before you spend any money on it.
Here’s an analogy: If you had gut pain, you’d want to see a gastroenterologist — not just any doctor. If you had foot pain, you’d see a podiatrist. Editing is a little bit like that. (Except editors won’t make you wear those crinkly paper gowns.)
Every type of edit is a specialized skill, and while many editors will do more than one kind of editing, few will do all of them.
Here is a summary (all cost estimates are based on a 70,000-word book):
#1-Manuscript critique (also known as an editorial assessment/overview edit/evaluation edit):
This type of edit gives broad feedback and direction. Think of it as a view from 30,000 feet.
Usually this is the most affordable type of edit you can get.
If you hire an editor to do such a critique, you hand over your complete manuscript to them. Note that you probably won’t receive comments and rewrites in the text. Instead, you’ll get a letter or report focusing on the broad strokes or big picture. With a manuscript critique, the editor will assess structure, flow, completeness and overall quality.
Basically, they’ll tell you if your baby is beautiful or if it needs a makeover.
Some editors might also mark up your manuscript at a high level, making note of any structural concerns or questions they have — but don’t expect that treatment from every editor.
If you receive a glowing evaluation, your manuscript might be ready for the next step. But if the editor says your book’s organization and structure need work, you will need to do some significant rewriting.
Then, after doing your rewriting, engage a couple of beta readers to see what they think.
I’d say a manuscript critique is essential for any fiction writer — whether you’re intending to self-publish or look for an agent — and may also be helpful to a few non-fiction writers as well, especially memoir writers.
(Typical cost range is $500 to $2,500.)
#2-Developmental edit (also known as a structural edit, a substantive edit or a conceptual edit):
Developmental editing involves an editor providing detailed feedback on “big-picture” issues relating to content. For non-fiction authors, this type of editor will help organize your ideas, structure your book’s content and smooth your transitions between ideas. It’s kind of like a GPS for your thoughts.
For fiction authors, this type of editor will help shape your narrative, help you fix any major plot or character inconsistencies and tell you if there are any elements of your story that just don’t work. A developmental edit is like a manuscript critique, but it contains a lot more detail. You might even visualize it as the manuscript critique’s over-achieving older sibling.
Keep in mind that developmental editors don’t do any writing or rewriting. Instead, they’ll just make suggestions. This type of editing is expensive and best reserved for people with deep pockets — or at least those who’ve mastered the art of eating ramen noodles for months.
It might also be an excellent choice for writers who are highly motivated to get their manuscript in the best possible shape so they have an increased chance of finding an agent.
(Cost will likely be between $2,500 and $7,500 depending on the editor’s track record and reputation and varying with the condition of the manuscript and the author’s desired deadline.)
#3-Line edit (also known as a stylistic edit or a comprehensive edit):
Line editing focuses on the meaning, coherence and flow of your prose. It addresses the way you use language to communicate to your readers. Basically, this is where your words go to get a spa treatment.
A line edit looks at issues like:
- overused words
- run-on sentences
- redundancies
- clichés
- shifts in tone
- passages that don’t read well
- the pacing of your writing
As well, this edit should provide detailed suggestions about how to fix any problems.
In order to accomplish this work, a line editor — as the name suggests — does a line-by-line review of your manuscript. Note that this editor will provide an exceptionally detailed edit, but they usually won’t respond to structural or organizational problems. They’re the word wizards, not the story architects.
For this reason, it’s important not to jump in with line editing before your book has the proper structure and organization in place. Some line editors may also perform the duties of a copy editor — I’ll be talking about that job next — but don’t assume they do.
(Cost will likely be between $1,000 and $4,500 depending on the editor’s track record and reputation and varying with the condition and complexity of the manuscript and the author’s desired deadline.)
#4-Copy editing:
This type of editing is probably the step that most people — ones who haven’t been deeply involved in the writing business — imagine editing to be. It focuses on technical issues like spelling and grammar. A copy edit also helps catch typos and sloppy mistakes — those little gremlins that sneak into your manuscript when you’re not looking.
More importantly, this editor also enforces small grammatical rules that native English speakers sometimes don’t know exist. I’m told by copy editors that typical writers detect only about 60 percent of errors, and even professionals usually catch only about 85 percent — which is both humbling and terrifying….
Remember: you should not hire a copy editor until you’ve finished your manuscript. And I mean completely finished — not one that’s close to done or has a few gaps in it. “Almost done” is like “almost winning an election.” It leaves you nowhere.
If you’re seeking a traditional publishing deal and looking for an agent, it’s unnecessary to pay for your own copy edit first, as this is a task the publisher will certainly do. If you’re self-publishing, however, a good copy edit — or combination line-and-copy edit — is mandatory.
(Cost will likely be between $1,100 and $2,500 depending on the editor’s track record and reputation and varying with the condition and complexity of the manuscript and the author’s desired deadline.)
#5-Proofreading:
Many newbie authors don’t even see proofreading as a category of editing. But it is. It’s the final guardian angel of your manuscript.
Proofreaders are the people who make sure no spelling or grammar errors make it to the final version of your work. But, even more important than that, they review the very first printed version of your book after the designer has finished formatting it. This is called the “proof,” hence the name (see what they did there?).
They give this “proof” a final review before the book goes to print for real. Here’s why proofreaders are so important: They do more than catch errant typos.
They also look for layout problems like page numbering, consistency with headings, placement of tables in the text, unfortunate line or page breaks and more. If you’re self-publishing, you don’t want to be without a professional proofreader — trust me on this one.
(Cost will likely be between $700 and $1,500. But you may get a discount if the same person does the copy editing and proofreading. Note that proofreaders expect “clean” proofs. If the text still needs sentence-level help, they may recommend copy editing instead. And they won’t be shy about telling you so.)
The last word
To save money in editing, make sure your manuscript is in great shape before you hand it over to an editor. Use beta readers and software like ProWritingAid and, possibly, an AI engine like Claude to help you.
Choosing the right type of editor is a crucial step in the writing process. By understanding the different editing options and what each one offers, you’ll be able to invest your time and money wisely — ensuring your manuscript gets exactly the help it needs.
If you liked this post, you’ll also like The perils of panic editing.
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Need some help developing a better, more sustainable writing or editing routine? Learn about my three-month accountability program called Get It Done. There is turn-over each month, and priority will go to those who have applied first. You can go directly to the application form and you’ll hear back from me within 24 hours.
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My video podcast last week addressed how to make your content unique. You can watch the video or read the transcript, and you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel.
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What techniques do you use to choose the right type of editor? We can all learn from each other, so please, share your thoughts with my readers and me in the comments section below. If you comment on today’s post (or any others) by July 31/25, I’ll put you in a draw for a digital copy of my first book, 8 1/2 Steps to Writing Faster, Better. To enter, please scroll down to the comments, directly underneath the related posts links, below. You don’t have to join Disqus to post! Read my tutorial to learn how to post as a guest. (It’s easy!)
