What Does an Editor Do?
When you think of what an editor does, what comes to mind? Someone who is there to tear your words apart? One who will rigidly apply every rule of grammar? Because editing is an unregulated profession (meaning anyone can call themselves an editor, although there are many organizations to guide and support those serious about the profession), how editors talk about their work—and thus their services—varies widely. So it’s no wonder I encounter many authors who are confused as to what the types of editing are, let alone what their work needs.
This is important to know whether self-publishing or seeking to query agents. If you’ve decided to go the independent route, you will likely want to explore each stage, and will likely work with at least a couple of different editors along the way. If you’re querying, you may decide to only hire a developmental editor to ensure the narrative is clear or you may decide to go straight to a copy edit to help your prose immediately stand out. And, no matter what, before you enter into a relationship with any professional you should both be clear on exactly what each party expects. So, let’s sort things out!
WHAT DOES AN EDITOR ACTUALLY DO?
There are four main types of editing: Developmental/Structural Editing, Stylistic Editing, Copyediting, and Proofreading. As mentioned, these terms can vary from editor to editor, and among fiction and non-fiction/academic editors. However, the basic overall principles should remain the same.
Developmental/Structural Editing. As the name suggests, developmental, or structural, editors work to improve a manuscript’s organization and content. (This type of editing may also be called substantive editing.) This is the earliest stage and is best for authors who have gone through a few drafts and are now looking for critical, unbiased feedback. Many editors refer to this service as an evaluation.
Developmental editors assess the overall structure, the narrative and character arcs, and the clarity of the author’s prose. They may suggest changes to chapter sequence, recommend a secondary character should play a larger role (or none at all!), and point to any weak plot points. They compile these concerns in an editorial letter (or whatever else they may offer as a service deliverable), along with their suggestions as to how to apply their advice so your next draft is closer to the book the author has envisioned. It is then up to the author to consider the advice and make changes as they see fit.
Takeaway: The developmental editor’s role is to help develop a piece of writing, taking a look at its substance and structure.
Stylistic Editing. Stylistic editors focus on a work at the paragraph level, and at this stage will consider how well scenes are arranged and will examine the author’s use of language while taking into account their narrative style. Considering the intended audience, the editor ensures the text is clear and accessible, highlighting or correcting wordiness, eliminating jargon (editing for plain language), nixing excessive use of the passive voice, un-mixing metaphors, and suggesting smoother transitions between scenes or sections. Stylistic editors can work closely with an author, negotiating any suggested changes.
In fiction, this type of editing is commonly referred to as line editing. Many editors offer line and copyediting services since they are closely related, and many simply include it during a copyedit (likely as the first round).
Takeaway: Stylistic editing is best once the structure is set, but the prose needs a little extra punch.
Copyediting. Copyeditors work to ensure each sentence in a manuscript is consistent and clear, and that any facts stated are correct and accurate (especially if non-fiction). They check for proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
This stage is best for a next-to-final draft. Many querying authors hire copyeditors once they feel their plot is set but want to give the prose a good polish. For independent authors, this is just one more critical step in preparing a manuscript for publication. If unable to afford each step, a thorough copyedit is worth spending your money on.
Takeaway: Think of copyeditors as a mechanic for your words. They make sure everything is in working order and ready to go!
Proofreading. Proofreaders comb through a manuscript to correct errors in both text and design. These editors focus on fixing minor typos and grammatical errors, ensuring all pages are numbered, checking that citations are correct, and otherwise confirming the book is ready to go to print.
Depending on the project, a proofreader may also use a previous version to verify that any changes from earlier stages have been incorporated—and no new mistakes were introduced in the process. This is the final stage of editing and should occur once a text has been formatted. This is because formatting itself can introduce errors and affect the reader’s experience.
Takeaway: A proofread should not be done without a prior copyedit. Proofreaders are here to sweep away the crumbs, not to dive deep into a text.
In the end, an editor’s goal should always be to make the material consistent and clear, and verify that its content, language, and style suit its purpose and is appropriate for the intended audience. A good editor will never try to overtake an author’s voice or style but will instead give constructive and encouraging feedback that takes into account what the author wants to achieve.
As a reminder, complete the research and be sure both parties are clear on the expected outcomes for the work before any editing begins! It can be a costly mistake otherwise. Personally, I find Editors Canada’s Definitions of Editorial Skills, as well as their Professional Editorial Standards, very useful in outlining exactly what authors should look for at each level, and what they should expect from the editor they hire.
Now that we got all that out of the way, let’s answer another question before we go …
WHEN DO I NOT NEED AN EDITOR?
Editing is a crucial step in the writing and publishing process, but hiring an editor before the work is ready can be detrimental to the entire project. Not to mention that paying for unnecessary services can make a big dent in that nest egg. If you’re in any of the situations below, consider waiting just a bit longer before taking this step—or deciding against it altogether!
You’ve just finished the first draft. It’s said time and again, but first drafts are always a horrible mess. It’s really best to revise that yourself! A first draft will inevitably need some major revisions, and you are the only one who can untangle all the plot threads.
As you revise, you may even feel as though you are still writing and discovering how all the elements of your story fit together. Therefore, an editor is definitely not ready to step in. By learning to self-edit, you will get better at identifying your own weaknesses, spotting repeated words and phrases, and recognizing redundancies. You’ll be a better writer for it, and who doesn’t want that?
You need to meet a journal’s/publication’s requirements. You’ve got this! These are likely your most polished pieces, and you may have even sent a few out before. So, if making small tweaks to fit one publication’s word count over another, don’t worry about hiring a professional. An exception? If shopping an unpublished manuscript to agents and publishers, you may want to consider paying for a developmental edit (evaluation) or thorough copyedit.
You’re writing a guest post. Many writers (and editors) share guest posts across platforms. These are sometimes done on a tight turnaround, and don’t need a professional editor. (And they will also likely be reviewed by the site’s host, and maybe even an editor they use.) That said, you don’t want to submit a typo-riddled blog post, so I suggest going through it a few times. Reading it aloud will help you catch a surprising number of things your eyes skip over!
There’s a lot to think about before hiring a professional, so be selective and trust your gut! Look at what they specialize in, and make sure it aligns with what you write. Many (myself included) offer sample edits to help determine compatibility.
I hope this gives a clearer image of what an editor does, and how they can best serve you on whatever journey to publication you choose. We are not here to slash and burn, rather are here to encourage and support. Questions? Post them below and I will be happy to answer.
Keep creating,
