James N. Brook | Editorial Services
jamesnbrook-editor.com
In addition to editing per se, I can help independent writers draft and refine query letters to publishers.
Editing has several interdependent levels, and the sequence of levels is important: developmental editing > line editing > copyediting > proofreading.
For example, if your manuscript needs a developmental edit, that phase would come before copyediting. Likewise, proofreading comes after copyediting, to catch any remaining errors.
Sound complicated? Let’s put our heads together to determine what’s best for you and your project.
Developmental editing works primarily at the book, chapter, and article levels. It addresses problems with the organization of content and missing or inaccurate information, as well as considerations of voice, tone, and audience.
Typically, I provide a letter that outlines the higher-level issues to be addressed in revision. I may also include example line edits to show you how to revise effectively. Alternatively, I can provide a simpler manuscript evaluation. This is an overall critique of the content to highlight what works and what doesn’t work in the manuscript—and to suggest solutions.
Line editing (aka substantive editing and content editing) focuses on improving the coherence, cohesion, language, and style of the text, usually at the section, paragraph, and sentence levels. Line editing can include writing or rewriting passages, as well as removing extraneous content.
The main point of line editing? To go beyond “correct” to make your writing shine. Whether novel, poetry, or technical report, shouldn’t your writing delight its readers?
Copyediting aims to ensure that grammar and usage—as well as capitalization, spelling, and punctuation—adhere to a given set of style guidelines (e.g., Chicago, AP, or APA).
In a copyedit, I check cross-references, tables of contents, notes, citations, bibliographies, and the like. I do limited fact-checking as well. In addition, I prepare style sheets to guide consistency and accuracy across the manuscript throughout its production phases.
A copyedit is often described as light, medium, or heavy. Each level builds on the previous level:
- A light copyedit ensures consistency in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and the formats of lists and tables, and so on, based on the preferred style guidelines:
- Correct only outright errors of grammar and usage
- Query wordy or awkward sentences and paragraphs
- Query factual inconsistencies
- A medium copyedit includes and extends the tasks of a light copyedit:
- Correct all errors of grammar and usage
- Flag awkward sentences and paragraphs and suggest solutions
- Query factual inconsistencies and suggest corrections
- Query local problems of organization and logic
- A heavy copyedit includes and extends the tasks of a medium edit:
- Rewrite wordy or awkward sentences and paragraphs
- Using standard resources, verify and revise factual inconsistencies
- Fix local problems of organization and logic
Proofreading is a check for errors missed in copyediting, errors introduced in typesetting, and problems with page makeup.
(Descriptions are based on definitions provided by the Editorial Freelancers Association, Purdue Online Writing Lab, and Amy Einsohn and Marilyn Schwartz, The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications, 4th edition.)
James N. Brook | Editorial Services 