What Type of Edit Does Your Book Need?

July 28, 2024June 26, 2023 by Mikael

Types of book editing available and how to prepare for book editing

Have you finished writing your book? Congratulations! Seriously, you have so much to celebrate. Getting that first draft down can be one of the hardest steps of getting your book out into the world…

But what comes after you’ve written your book? Why, editing of course!

Are you now hunting for an editor to help you shape and polish your book so it can face the world in all its glory? That’s a very exciting, albeit intimidating, prospect—I’ve been there!

Today I’m here to help you discover what kind of editing your book needs so you can know the lingo around the different stages of editing, what to expect, and how to know which level of editing your manuscript needs.

When it comes to book editing, there are a few different stages available, depending on the needs of your book and what kind of shape it’s in.

And I always recommend going through a few rounds of revision, including with an editor, to prepare your manuscript for submission or publication. (No one really ever publishes their first draft… This blog alone had at least four!)

Before I break down the different types of edits, it may be helpful for you to know some ways to prepare yourself and your book prior to hiring an editor and sending your manuscript their way.

First things first… Get your heart involved.

I know it’s scary to have your book reviewed by someone, especially an editor who you may or may not know on a personal level. It’s like revealing some of your deepest darkest secrets on the page, and the last thing you want is someone critiquing or overanalyzing them.

Know that the job of the editor is to improve your book. You want your book to be the best it can be, right? Do you want it to be consistent, to make sense to your ideal reader, and to hit the emotional points you want it to hit for the most impact? Your editor helps you to achieve that. And many editors, myself included, will help you to maintain your voice rather than trying to change it, despite what you may hear about the editing industry.

All this to say: Do your research. Find a credible editor whose vibe you jive with and whose experience and offerings fit what you need. Check out their previous work if it’s available, or request a portfolio (my own portfolio is largely private due to NDAs, for example, so you’d have to reach out to me privately to investigate a majority of them).

Investigate a few editors to get a feel for what’s out there—and yes, doing a price comparison is a natural thing to check as well (check out Editorial Freelancers Association for current editing rates).

There are tons of book editors available for work on the web (I’m in a networking group with a few hundred, at least!). So, it’s essential that you look for an editor with the right skills and preferably experience with the type/genre of book you’ve written. For example, you might search for a YA dystopian or spiritual memoir in front of the search “book editor” when you head to your search engine of choice if that’s the genre of your book.

Some editors specialize in certain types of editing, so that’s why it’s important to know which kind of editing you’re looking for.

I also recommend an editor who you have respectful and constructive chemistry with. You want an editor who will offer feedback to guide you into a better book in an honest way that makes sense to you, not an editor who’ll baby you or be way too harsh in their edits. A good way to check the chemistry is to thoroughly research editors, narrow your list to the ones you like/vibe with/trust best, and have a consult call or interview with them to see if it’s a good match.

Check in with your body to see how it feels in response to the editors you interact with—follow your heart or trust your gut… You’ll know when you’ve found that editor for you if you listen within yourself for the answer.

Once you’ve found an editor, then the real work begins!

Let’s talk about how to prep your manuscript prior to sending it to a book editor.

What should you do before sending your manuscript to an editor?

First, avoid sending your very first draft to an editor. All first drafts are just getting the story onto the page and they are not ready for an editor’s attention yet. Any editor you hire will expect you to have done some sort of review before you send it to them.

Here’s what I recommend to prepare your manuscript before you send it away for an editor’s feedback, suggestions, and edits:

Let your manuscript sit for two weeks once complete, at a minimum, so you come back to it with fresh eyes.
Review your manuscript and take notes, chapter by chapter, of what you feel needs fixing, correcting, or adjustment.
Do your own round of revising and edits based on that pass-through.
Seek out a beta reader or two (or more!) to read your book, particularly someone who enjoys the genre of book you’ve written, and ask for their feedback and thoughts. Use the feedback offered to inform whether or not you want to incorporate changes they suggest. Having reader feedback can help you to know what’s working and what’s not in your book, as well as how it lands with readers overall—this is why I recommend choosing someone with interest in the genre of your book for the most appropriate feedback.
Once you’ve made any other remaining changes from beta readers or other critiques, give it another once over to catch anything else…
And then it’s a great time to send your manuscript off to an editor for professional feedback and to polish up your book with whatever editing services match what your book needs to be its best self.

Pro Tip: A majority of editors will request your manuscript in a specific format for ease of reading and editing.

The standard book submission format is as follows:

12 pt size font
Times New Roman preferred, or something similar
Double-spaced lines, with no extra line space between paragraphs
1-inch margins on all sides
0.5-inch indents set
Title page with the name of the book & author
Author Surname/Book Name (abbreviated for space, if needed)/Page # in the header
(i.e.: SHORT/BLUE HOUR/10)
Saved as a .doc or .docx file

See the full article on Reedsy for instructions on how to format your manuscript file properly!

What type of edit does your book need?

Different types of edits serve different purposes when it comes to your book, and each level of book editing has merit.

Ideally, every book would go through each stage of editing to make it the best it can be, but I know that’s not always feasible due to budget or time constraints. Hopefully, armed with this information, you can pinpoint what kind of edit you need to get the most bang for your buck and get your book in shining shape!

Here are the various stages of book editing, in the order in which I’d recommend them:

Developmental Edit

Also known as a structural edit, a developmental edit looks at the overall structure of your book and how it all works together.

The focus in developmental/structural edits is on story structure, characterization, and plot development.

This is the “big picture” edit where your story structure and character development & arcs are analyzed, plot holes and inconsistencies are found, and your overall themes, voice, and tone are clarified. Developmental editing looks at the overarching picture of your manuscript to make sure it all flows together seamlessly while communicating your larger message or story.

Note this is not the edit for correcting mistakes (like a copyedit or proofread) or offering rewriting suggestions (like a line edit).

When you work with TIE, developmental edits come with an editorial report with feedback on the various aspects of your novel.

If you want to make sure your story works well overall, to ensure an overall cohesive flow of content/chapters, and that your messaging is clear and consistent, this is the edit for you to start with.

Line Edit

Line editing is the book publishing term for this type of edit. It’s also known as content editing, and I’ve seen it called plain book editing in the online sphere. (No wonder it gets confusing with all these editing terms!)

Line editing refines your manuscript’s text line by line, sentence by sentence, to ensure a cohesive voice of the book. It looks at paragraph structure, sentence structure, language choices, and tone for a consistent and compelling narrative.

This is where the choice and order of sentences, phrasing, and words are keenly looked at to improve the flow and readability of your story. Line edits include clearing out redundancies or overused phrases, offering rewrites to tighten up your language or improve the flow, removing the unnecessary, and amplifying what’s important.

Think of line editing as creative or stylistic editing that both preserves and elevates your writing. This is the only type of editing that allows for rewriting suggestions. In line editing, quite a bit of copyediting is also taken care of as well (see below for copyedits).

Line editing is The Intuitive Editor’s specialty as I can sense what it is you’re trying to communicate by tapping into the spirit of your book! TIE’s copyediting service also comes with light line editing suggestions should the situation warrant it.

If you want to elevate and enhance the overall writing in your book, to make sure it flows seamlessly and clearly, a line edit may be the type of edit for your book!

Copyedit

The copyedit is one of my favorites because of its detailed work. Copyediting is the technical edit to clarify and correct your writing.

This is the editing stage where more nitty-gritty errors are swept clean from your manuscript and suggestions may be offered to further activate your language. This is where the details are looked at, such as your sentence structure for clarity, and minor consistencies are flagged. Any glaring errors like misspellings, grammar, verb tense, and punctuation will be swept up in this in-depth technical cleaning of your book.

The copyediting stage is usually where a style guide is developed for your book if it hasn’t been done already. A style guide is helpful to keep the details of your story (character traits, plot, setting, etc.), any special spellings or capitalizations, and other considerations consistent throughout the book and in further series.

Because a copyedit falls under the correction stage of the editing process, most copyedits include proofreading edits as well. However, that doesn’t mean you should forego proofreading as your final step! I always recommend proofreading prior to publishing.

When you work with TIE, light line editing may also be suggested with a copyedit, where sentence structure, consistency, readability, and flow of ideas are examined to present the most impactful language possible.

If you want a thorough technical cleanup of your book for clarity and precision in the text (and you aren’t seeking more creative revisions), then a copyedit is the edit for you.

Proofread

This is the final stage of editing!

The proofreading stage is the final polish where you have a sharp set of eyes catch any remaining errors in punctuation, grammar, spelling, or typos—to make your manuscript truly shine, so readers’ eyes don’t snag on small mistakes that may frustrate them, diminish the reading process, or make readers question your credibility.

The proofreading stage is the fine-toothed comb edit to tame the flyaways after everything else has been brushed out, so to speak!

Sometimes minor formatting issues may be flagged. Proofreading is not to be mistaken for formatting, though! That’s another thing entirely, and formatting will typically come before the final proofread, especially in traditional publishing houses. If you’re having your book specially formatted, I recommend proofreading after the formatted version is complete.

I do not advise a proofread being the only type of edit you do on your book. Odds are you need additional editorial support to make the various aspects of your book clear and cohesive first. See the above sections for which edit(s) your book needs!

The Intuitive Editor loves being that final eye to catch those lingering errors, and you can pair a proofread with any other type of edit for a little extra savings!

A proofread is the edit for you if you’ve gone through at least a line edit or copyedit, if not a developmental/ structural edit, you feel good about where your book is, and you want that final eagle-eyed proofread to catch any lingering errors before publication or submission.

Manuscript Review / Manuscript Analysis

Though not specifically editing, a manuscript review/analysis is another way to get professional feedback for your book that might be more budget-friendly.

The manuscript review will vary depending on the editor, even in name or scope. Generally, feedback is provided via a written report that analyzes the story arc, characters, plot holes, what’s going well, and what could use improvement from a bird’s eye level. Some editors will do a breakdown by chapter, or advise on how to structure your book if needed or requested.

Manuscript reviews will also note any tendencies you have as a writer that will need special attention, such as overusing certain phrases or consistently switching between character perspectives or even verb tenses.

Not every editor will offer a manuscript analysis like this, but some do! (Hi!)

Have any other questions about the book editing process? Drop TIE a line here with any Qs! Happy to help.

Ready to have your book edited to its inspired perfection?

The Intuitive Editor would be tickled to help you proof and polish your book into its intended glory and inspired perfection.

Fill out the Book Submission Form here to apply for a book editing spot on The Intuitive Editor’s calendar!

A Call to Joy – How TIE Was Born

March 15, 2023January 15, 2023 by Mikael

I want to tell you a secret…

I want to tell you how and why The Intuitive Editor was born.

Because I realize I haven’t told anyone except my coach in 2021…

Why It All Began

The Intuitive Editor was born because writing is one of the most natural things I do. It’s not something I’ve ever felt self-conscious about. And it was something I became known and recognized for. It’s been my selling point for every job I’ve held.

I’ve always been a writer, pouring stories onto pages since I learned how to write.

And just like writing, reading fills my soul.

Both reading & writing are where my playtime, my learning, my growth, my self-reflection, and my creativity live and thrive.

I love writing in all the ways it serves me and all the ways I can create new things with just words. I can transport and change others just like what I’ve read has transported and changed me throughout my life.

From Writing to Proofreading…

From my love of writing in all the work and all the jobs I’ve done, I began to love improving writing.

Taking an article and cleaning it up. Making sure headlines and lower thirds are accurate. Proofing emails and brochures before they go out. Shiny, sparkly, and clear.

The writing jobs beautifully segued into editing and proofreading. I fell into it and fell in love.

There’s nothing like taking a piece of writing and polishing it up so it’s free of errors and clear in its message. Scrubbing out all those errors, typos, and misused verb tenses littering the path along the way.

And I love learning about how to improve my writing and editing skills. Those two passions co-exist within me.

The more I write, the better I get.

The more I edit, the better I get at both writing and editing.

Seems like a win-win, no?

A Call to Pursue My Joy

When it became clear to me during the pandemic that I needed to be writing more, that writing calls me more than anything else I do… I found that my voice and stories needed the space, energy, and freedom to pour from me.

And the work I was doing… Needed a big adjustment to allow that.

While I love writing in all its facets, freelance writing is actually quite draining for me. In multiple ways. Energetically and creatively.

I knew I needed to find work and build a career that wouldn’t drain my creative juices so much and also felt enjoyable because… I’m simply not available for work I don’t enjoy. I know I won’t be motivated to do it if enjoyment isn’t there, and that’s not fair to anyone.

So, I sat down and explored what work I most loved to do that didn’t suck my creative juices dry.

Enter editing…

Every single job I’ve had, I have proofread, copyedited, and edited countless files and documents. And that’s always been my favorite part of every job!

In every office, I became the go-to proofreader, earning the moniker “The Machine” since I was so efficient and accurate in catching errors and maintaining style guides prior to print, post, or broadcast.

Even when a close friend or family member sent me something for a quick once-over, I’d get so excited that I would literally drop everything to proofread something for them to help. It became my favorite way to help loved ones.

Serendipitously, a few years back, I was invited to join a book editing firm as a book editor and copyeditor. And honestly? That was the most excited for a job that I’ve ever been. And it’s been the best job ever—plus, I get to work with a dear friend and mentor who saw my potential. <3

What It All Boils Down To…

I love diving into something to make it better. I love correcting the errors and providing guidance for the writer to improve their work in the future. That’s ridiculously fun for me, and I can literally do it for hours without looking up.

Sometimes it feels like alchemy… Taking something and making it shine. Spinning words and stories into gold.

That’s it… I’m a story alchemist.

That obsession and excitement to do that kind of work was my sign—my billboard from the Universe—for what kind of work I should be doing.

Then I Started My Business!

So, now I’m here, with my own editing business. One that incorporates my core strengths: my intuition, writing, and editing prowess. It really is a perfect marriage of my skills.

And in creating this business, my hope and dream is that my editing business will support other writers & creatives live a more balanced and creatively enriched life while polishing up their stories and increasing their potency—while also maintaining my own creative writing practice.

Because the Universe knows this girl has piles of stories coming out of each finger tip that she wants to put to the page. (I’ve got a couple over here in the Bookshop!)

When it comes time for me to send my books out into the world, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be hiring an editor or two myself.

After all, even editors need editors!

Want to Work With Me?

So, if you’re ready to step into a more divinely led creative path, putting your stories onto the page, and building a creative practice that’s in harmony with the rest of your life… I’d be tickled & honored to help you shape and polish your written works too.

Thanks for being here and hearing my story. <3

Doing An Editing Business Differently

July 28, 2024June 17, 2022 by Mikael

I am here to do things differently. I feel like I have known that for a long time.

When it came to starting an editing business, I did a bit of research into what other editing and proofreading professionals were doing to promote their work—from their websites, to their social media, etc. I saw editors sharing their tips and tricks to catch errors as you write. Things they catch all the time as an editor/proofreader. Providing tools to help others edit or proofread their work better.

And as I looked around, I realized that’s not at all what I wanted to do with my editing business. I see the formula, and I don’t want to use it.

I believe through inspired actions on a new path, I can still find success with my editing business.

(In fact, that’s a common thread in my life… If I see one path, you can bet I’ll want to do it my way. And hopefully show you that you can do things your way too. )

I’m pulling back the curtain a bit on this since I want to be transparent.

My editing business is different.

I have no interest in teaching you how to write. Or how to proofread your work. At least, not at this point in time.

Of course, I could make resources for that, but that’s not the way I want my editing business to work or even how I want to promote it. (UPDATE: Now I have a Self-Revision Checklist & a mini-course email series, From First Draft to Publish Ready available for free!)

My goal is to inspire more creative flow & freedom.

To unlock the treasure trove of stories within you so they can pour out with fewer obstacles and challenges.

To encourage a healthy, harmonious relationship with your creativity.

To help you seek more joy, beauty, and nurturing in your life—to ultimately take care of yourself, and thus the insightful creative within you.

That way you can write what you’re meant to write from a more balanced and healthy space.

I care about the creator within, much more than trying to teach you how to edit your work.

I’m not knocking that as a valuable skill, because it most definitely is. (Ideally, you would revise your book before sending it off to an editor, for example.)

But I care more about you getting to tell your story. Period.

I want you to find the joyful flow that sparks your creativity and sends you flying down the path of writing the book and telling the stories you’ve always dreamed of sharing with the world.

I want the words to flow out of you with ease.

You have a voice, and you have a story to tell.

And I want to see you use it for the highest and best good.

I want you to find the balance in your life, so you’re not struggling to survive while also trying to sustain a creative routine. Because that’s not sustainable.

I’m a firm believer that when you take care of you, your creativity will come.

That’s what matters to me.

When you take care of you,
the creativity will come.

Editing and proofreading have been the heartbeat of my adult career.

And then, if you so choose, I can help you with the more technical editing know-how to help you clean it up, so it’s clear, easy to read and understand, and free from discrediting errors and mistakes. Because that’s another way of how I love to help support creatives and writers. Whether you hire me as your editor when you’re done getting your story onto the page, that’s up to you!

(Does this mean I’m turning into a creativity/book coach as well as a book editor? I don’t know, but I’m open to it. The downloads and inspired actions I’m getting for The Intuitive Editor are taking me in a direction I wasn’t expecting, and I’m loving the journey.)

So, while you may not find “can you find the mistake” posts on my Instagram page, my hope is that you will feel inspired to pick up that pen or get out your keyboard… And get writing. Get working on your creative dreams. Show up for them like they want to show up for you.

And do it for you first. Create what you want first.

And keep it fun. Try not to force it from a painful place.

My hope is that by enjoying your life more and engaging your creativity, you start to create a life you’ve dreamed of (or something even better!).

Just like I’m creating a business that feels good to me.

Let’s start to see creativity differently together.

Making Comparisonitis Work For You: How to Use Comparison to Find Your Direction

April 20, 2022 by Mikael

From my working chair, not so long ago, I found myself on an Instagram page of another book editor. And they were killing it.

(Or at least that’s what it looks like on social media, and we all know how much of that is just appearances…)

I was totally into what they were sharing. Thought their social media game was on point. Looked like they were #bookedandblessed in every pun imaginable. Discovered we had quite a bit in common… And then I noticed they were 20 years old and started their business around the same time as me.

Cue my mood crashing, as a 30+ year-old, who only recently decided to pursue an editorial business after years of trying to identify the the skills I most wanted to use to help people. (And who has also had a decade-plus of professional experience this young person has not had, but that certainly wasn’t coming to mind at that moment.)

I fell into the comparison trap… hard.

The comparisonitis. I drank the compareschläger (as Marie Forleo calls it). The whole bottle, probably. Tears were shed, though I strongly suspect the full moon played a part as well in heightening emotions. Either way, my confidence tanked, the comparisonitis the culprit.

This surprised me, honestly… I am solidly in the “the only person I compete with is myself” camp. Cheering people on as they rock what they’re doing is one of my very favorite things.

Most of the time, I have no reason to compete or compare myself to anyone else because I know everyone is their own unique person, meant to do great things in their world with their gifts and talents. I think that is one of the most beautiful things in this world!

And I still found myself comparing my business to another book editor’s social media profile.

Because I’m human. And humans tend to fall into the comparison trap with each other, even without trying to.

The Reality Check

Calming myself down, especially with thanks to my partner, I remembered that this person is not me. And I am not them. And though we are similar, we do not do our work in the same way. They can rock their social media game while I wish I could bag social media all together. All they are doing that I wish I was doing… I don’t have to do it and I do not have to do it like them.

I can release my grip on the compareschläger, put my head down, listen to what my own heart has to say, and then put in the work to do the work that I actually want to do.

Because, once I sobered myself up, I realized that this instance of comparisonitis gave me a glaring billboard for the work I really want to do.

The book editing and copyediting is the work I truly want to do.

(Along with writing my own books, of course!)

And this epiphany came with this reminder:

You don’t compare yourself to people who are doing things you have no interest in…
You compare yourself to the people who are doing what you truly want to do.

This is why comparing yourself to others and looking at where you get jealous of other people can actually be a helpful tool. It may not feel good in the moment; however, it can point you in the direction of where you most want to move in.

How to Use Comparison to Find Your Direction

Start to notice when you get jealous of someone else or find yourself falling into the comparison trap. And ask yourself why those feelings are arising.

You’re jealous of that woman who can work from the beach on her laptop? How can you create that feeling with your own work from where you’re at until you can make that a reality for yourself?

You find yourself comparing your achievements to peer who seems much further along than you? What is it about what they have or are doing that you seek?

Odds are, because there’s something there, something you desire on a much deeper level, that you haven’t achieved yet… Or maybe even something you haven’t acknowledged that you want.

I have a feeling you’ll find your own aha moment in asking why the feelings of comparison and jealousy come up, especially if you’ve been questioning your purpose, direction, or next steps. I know I did.

Find out what the desire is—the desire hidden deep underneath the mask of comparing yourself to another—and start moving toward it.

So, you may see a refocus from me on sharing more about the book editing and copyediting work. I love the intuitive side of my business, and I don’t want to let it take away from the editorial side of things that I utterly love doing… My intuition supports my hard-earned editing skills, and it thrills me to no end to see how I can help others with these gifts.

And I plan on using any social media stalking of other editors for inspiration and ideas, not comparison. If it start falling into the comparison mire again, I’ll know to pull myself out before it gets too far. Because we all know that can work against you rather than for you.

Remember that only you can do the work you were put on this earth to do with the gifts that only you have. No one can do it like you do… So keep going, especially when comparison comes along to try and derail you. Let the comparison be fuel for you to pinpoint the next steps for you to reach for your dreams.

Want to join me in putting down the compareschläger, putting your head down, listening to your heart, and doing the work you really, really want to do? See you there. <3

How Editing Is Like Untangling Knots

March 13, 2023November 5, 2021 by Mikael

One thing I enjoy doing… is untangling knots.

I can look at the absolutely tangled, jumbled mess of a necklace’s chain, and with my fingers pull the string this way and that until–voila! The necklace is untangled and returned to full glory so you can wear it proudly again.

Where I untangled a knot…

Just a couple of years ago, a one-time gig employer had a massive floor of costumes and a necklace she irritatedly swore up and down “had been tangled for ten years.” No less than seven minutes later, the necklace was gleaming in the light, dangling from my finger completely untangled. Her jaw dropped. “Do you mind if I bring you back to my house to fix the rest of my necklaces?”

How editing is like untangling knots

It looks at the big picture while also diving into the details to make sure everything is aligned and correct in your content. Editing takes what’s there, makes a few adjustments, offers suggestions, and smooths out the errors. In the end, you have your beautiful, compelling, and kink-free content ready to be presented to the world. And you’ll feel pretty confident putting it out there too, knowing that it’s exactly how it’s meant to show up!

Just like untangling a necklace or a knot, editing is a precise art.

I just love taking piece of writing and making it truly sing by untangling the knots, smoothing the clunky language, and polishing it up. I can get lost in the best way while working with words. Honing in on the message, stripping away the unnecessary, and correcting any unsightly spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors… All while maintaining your true voice and making sure the message shines through without any discrediting or unprofessional distractions.

And sometimes while untangling something, you have to work with what you can hardly see… And that’s where my intuitive skills come in to help fill the gaps between what’s not on the page and what should (or shouldn’t) be.

Untangling text is my specialty.

Many of my previous colleagues and employers can attest to what I do. A few keep me on speed dial for when they need a final proof since they know I deliver impeccable editorial feedback time and time again. Like the lady whose necklace I fixed, they wanted to keep me on standby for their projects that need editing. I’m honored to be their go-to proofing person, and I love having on-going relationships with clients so I can get to know their style and so the knots get easier to spot and smooth out as we work together.

It’s such a delight when I get a message that says, “Hey Mikael, can you proof this for me please?” Because that tells me that they trust me, love my feedback, and value my contribution to their work–and that’s the best feeling in the world.

Plus, the clarifying process of editing and proofreading is my absolute favorite way to help people. It’s within my zone of genius, and I’m stoked to offer my skills in this way… It’s one of the core reasons The Intuitive Editor was born!