“Can you just check it over?” is one of the most common requests we get. But “checking it over” can mean anything from rethinking your whole plot to catching a stray comma. Knowing the difference saves you time and money, and makes sure your book gets the help it actually needs.
The three main levels of editing
1. Developmental editing: the big picture
This looks at the structure of your book: plot, pacing, character arcs, argument and organisation. A developmental editor asks whether the story works, whether the middle drags, and whether the ending pays off. It is best done after you finish a full draft and before you polish individual sentences.
2. Copyediting and line editing: sentence by sentence
Once the structure is solid, line and copy editing improve clarity, flow and consistency. This includes tightening wordy sentences, fixing repetition, checking that names and timelines stay consistent, and correcting grammar, all while keeping your voice intact.
3. Proofreading: the final check
Proofreading is the last step before publishing. A proofreader catches remaining typos, spelling mistakes, punctuation slips and formatting issues. It is not meant to fix structural problems or rewrite sentences; it is the final polish.
How to tell what you need
- You are unsure the story or structure works: start with developmental editing.
- The story is solid but the writing feels rough or uneven: you need copyediting or line editing.
- The book has already been edited and you are ready to publish: you need proofreading.
Why the order matters
Proofreading a manuscript that still needs structural changes wastes money, because any rewritten chapters will need checking again. Working from big-picture edits down to the final proofread means every round of work builds on the last.
Not sure where your manuscript stands?
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