“Edit your manuscript until your fingers bleed and you have memorized every last word. Then, when you are certain you are on the verge of insanity…edit one more time!”
― CK Webb
Need to know how to edit your manuscript? The editing process has three different stages: Developmental, Substantive, and Copy Editing.
Unfortunately, most amateur writers only lightly copy edit their work, or proofread it (which is a different stage of the publishing process). This results in a poorly written publication, that won’t generate the much hoped for sales of books. Poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation is a turn-off for readers. Consequently, authors who don’t respect the editing process, are considered amateur, and attract bad reviews (if any).
We know you don’t want to appear amateur with your writing, do you? Therefore, it’s important to understand the different stages of editing, and why you need to hire a professional editor.
What is Editing?
In layman’s terms, an editor takes your document and removes most of the flaws. As a result, it becomes a valuable piece of content for your business.
Most importantly, the editor ensures that the writer’s ideas are clearly communicated to their reader. Therefore editors work closely with writers. Firstly, they help develop the written material. They they make changes to improve the text so that it is engaging and easy to understand. Finally, a professional editor polishes the content so it’s ready for publication. Ensure you look for editors who have the skills to retain your unique voice as the author.
As previously mentioned, the professional editing process has three stages — developmental, substantive and copy editing.
1. Developmental
First of all, our editor grades your content for quality. Developmental editing is recommended when the writing requires signification restructuring. Possibly you’ll plan and restructure the text to establish a clear message and call to action. You will be working closely with your editor through this step. If your content needs significant work, you’ll probably be asked to rewrite it more than once.
2. Substantive
Next, the substantive editor goes through the document line by line. As a result, they make changes to the text which improves clarity, logic, and flow. This cuts out repetition and wordy sentences which may confuse the reader. You may also have heard this stage referred to as Line Editing.
3. Copy Editing
Finally, the copy editor improves the formatting, style, and accuracy of the content prior to it being typeset. Additional grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors are located and corrected. Finally, the facts in your work are checked, and any potential legal issues are addressed.
How to Edit Your Manuscript
Learn more about how to edit your manuscript yourself, as well as the publishing process with Deb Donnell’s book, Creating Published Diamonds. You can also get training from our other company, KESWiN™ Academy. Professional editing takes time. Shortcut the process, and the cost, by investing in your developing your writing and editing skills.
“I have made this longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter.”
—Blaise Pascal, French Mathematician and Philosopher, 1623-1662
Hire Professional Editors
Our mission at KESWiN Publishing Services is to empower you to communicate with clarity, succinctness, and the passion that burns within you.
When you hire us, our editors take your content through the three stages of editing. Above all, they work closely with you, retaining the original meaning, tone and voice of your writing. Most importantly, they are qualified and experienced experts.
Therefore, if you are working on a manuscript you consider valuable, then contact us now to discuss how we can help you edit your manuscript professionally. Our minimum charge for assessment and editing is NZ$45.00 plus GST (if applicable).
Our team help clients across the globe to transform writing rocks into published diamonds. We can help you do this too.