Types of Editors for Books and Works of Fiction
Explanations of Developmental & Substansive Editing and Proofreading
Jul 17, 2009
The word edit is so widely used that it can become confusing to understand its exact meaning. There are different types of editing, each with a specific purpose and price. Developmental editing, heavy or substantive editing, and proofreading are common forms of editing, especially in fiction and books.
Before hiring an editor, understand what type of editing they are experienced in, and understand the exact kind of editing you are paying for.
Developmental Editing
Prior to beginning a novel or work of fiction, many writers choose to meet with an editor who is experienced in developmental editing. A developmental editor's main responsibility is planning the organization and features of the work, but a developmental editor might also:
- Suggest different formats of delivering your message
- Alter the text to fit a certain format
- Change sentences and paragraphs to improve flow and order
- Fill in gaps in content either by writing in the content or describing what should be added
- Delete content that is irrelevant, overwritten, or does not add to the overall work
- Push for additional research to expand upon or back up parts of the book
Heavy or Substantive Editing
Heavy or substantive editing consists of more than proofreading for grammatical errors or inconsistencies in narration or plot. Substantive editing is a form of editing that requires a substantial amount of time and rewrites. Substantive editors are usually copy editors who specialize in structure, style, content, and flow.
What requires more attention and work for substantive editing is the need to move or rework entire paragraphs, sections, and chapters for readability, artistic effect, or logical flow. Entire sections are often cut and new sections need to be written. Substantive editors might also:
- Suggest rewrites for awkward phrasing or order
- Reorganize or restructure the work as a whole
- Comment on references, footnotes, bibliographies, and citations
- Format or suggest formatting for basic elements like page numbers, a table of context, and an index
Proofreading
Proofreading is a different animal than other forms of editing because it does not typically require sizable rewrites and changes but instead consists of shining up a well-written and already-edited manuscript to ensure accuracy, credibility, and precision of language. Proofreaders generally only correct technical errors and minor style flaws, but usually no more than 5-10 errors per typed manuscript page. Specifically, proofreaders often check for:
- Errors in punctuation
- Spelling mistakes and typos
- Misplaced and dangling modifiers
- Occasional awkward phrasing
After completing a novel, book, or other work of fiction or nonfiction, remember to hire an editor or two based on your needs and ability. Editors can ultimately make the difference between an acceptance letter and a rejection slip because an editor can usually find flaws in your work that you miss because of your closeness to your own work.
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