There are three primary types of edits you should do with fiction, both in traditional publishing and self-publishing. I'm identifying the types, covering their nuances, and giving helpful tips on what to consider when hiring outside help.
by Alexa Donne
Developmental Edits
- looking at the novel as a whole
- takes place after the first draft
- The writer and their critique partners usually do it.
- Includes: characters, pacing, motivation, plot twists, big-picture stuff
- Doesn't include: sentences, spelling, grammar
Line Edits
- drilling down on a prose level
- Includes: sentences, paragraphs, words, sentence structure, clarity, word choice, repetition, confusion, awkward phrasing
- Doesn't include: massive rewrites
Copy Edits
- the most necessary
- going through a manuscript and cleaning it up (with a fine-toothed comb)
- refining things based on right vs. wrong
- fixing errors
- Includes: continuity issues, grammar, punctuation, timeline, factual errors, typos
- Creating a style guide/cheat sheet of characters, places, proper nouns, brands, and specific words
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