Introduction
Since the advent of the printing press and popularization of published literature, the book publishing industry has relentlessly pursued quality, organization, and an overall pleasant experience for the reader. Unfortunately, publishers and authors cannot achieve these goals on their own. This is where the editor comes in. An editor is the author’s partner in crime and plays a crucial role in the publication of books from YA to nonfiction. Whether you’re interested in building stories from the ground up or simply correcting grammar and spelling errors, you’ll likely be able to carve out a niche in the industry. Follow the links below to discover more about each type of editor.
Developmental Editing
This is where the editorial work begins. Developmental editors are able to help authors create their content, fleshing an idea out from a draft, an outline, or even a concept. Because the editor is involved so early on in the process, they are able to make suggestions for content and its organization. They may also work with the author to find research pertinent to either plot or topic depending on the nature of the work.
substantive Editing
Substantive editors generally work with completed manuscripts and, unlike developmental editors, will not work with the author on content. Their task is to identify key issues that might make the manuscript less successful or effective than its meant to be. They are also at liberty to rewrite and reorganize in order to improve the organization and/or clarity of the text at large. At the end of this process, both the author and the editor will have worked together to create a new and improved draft.
Copy editing
Also known as line editors, copy editors are not the writing or rewriting partners an author might find in a substantive or developmental editor. In an effort to promote clarity and make sure the author has cultivated his or her own voice, the copy editor will make edits based on grammar, syntax, and word usage while still maintaining the original meaning of the text. More often than not, a copy editor will query the author if they come across any apparent mistakes or inconsistencies.
proofreading
A proofreader is the last stop for a manuscript before it moves out of the publishing house, so to speak, and goes out to the press. Similar to a copy editor, the proofreader scours the text for any misspellings and mechanics issues. They also check to make sure that the layout of the manuscript is correct and look for errors that might have been introduced during that process (Joki).