Stages of Editing

All authors understand, or at least most authors understand, that submitted manuscript isn’t simply published. Once the author has completed the manuscript, the publisher will edit it before actually publishing the book. Editing usually includes three separate edits. These are, in order: content edit, line edit, and copyedit. Depending on the publisher, usually the author will be involved in the first two edits, although some publishers may only involve the author in the first edit.

Content editing involves an editor looking at the structure of the story. This is the “big picture” of the story. Does the story have rising action, a climax, and falling action? A well-rounded story will have a beginning, middle, and end. This should be true for all plot lines. Are the characters developed, and can the reader love (or hate) them? Characters with no depth or that are clich és or stereotypes can easily destroy a good plot. Is each scene necessary? Scenes that do not move the story forward usually bog down the reader. Yes, there will be changes during the content edit. But, the author shouldn’t look on the editor as an adversary. The editor is not trying to damage the author’s work; in fact, quite the opposite. Both author and editor have the same goal in mind, which is to publish the best work possible.

After the editor and author are happy with the content, the line edit begins. This is the “down in the weeds” part of the process. The editor will look at the sentence structure and word choice. Is posthaste really the best word to use when quickly is just as good...or is it? Maybe the character is a stuffy, upper crust society person, in which case perhaps posthaste is the best word. Most publishers give the author the opportunity to review the line edit changes and comment on them. If this is not a standard practice, the author can always request to be involved, although doing so is not a guarantee the publisher will agree to it. Sometimes production schedules simply will not allow for the extra time of an author review at this stage.

The final editing stage is the copyedit. This is when grammar and punctuation are examined. An author usually does not review the copyedited manuscript because changes are most often minor. The author will have a chance to review the manuscript after pages have been composed, and any comments on the copyedit can be made at that stage.

Tin Whiskers Publisher is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). IBPA’s mission is “to lead and serve the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success.” IBPA is a not-for-profit membership organization serving and leading the independent publishing community. Founded in 1983, it is the largest publishing trade organization in the United States. IBPA members pledge to uphold the organization’s code of ethics.