The Four Different Type of Edits
There comes an inevitable point in the life of every writer who has written a book where they are going to need help. There is no need to feel shame or inadequacy; it is normal and, in most cases, the best scenario. You don’t need help from an editor because you are a terrible writer, but because there are some things in your story that you’ve spent so much time with that you just won’t be able to notice anymore. And editors can offer a new and fresh perspective because they are two new eyes looking at your work.
As an editor myself, my goal is never to change the author’s work but rather to find the heart of the story and ensure every element strengthens it. But oftentimes the different types of edits get thrown around, and it is easy as a writer to get lost in what they all mean. I am here to break down what each edit does, why you may or may not need it, and what the goals/ benefits are.
Editorial Assessment–With this type of edit, the editor will go through your entire manuscript and outline the strengths and weaknesses of your novel. Essentially, an editorial assessment is for writers who are not sure where to go in the editing process. The assessment gives the writer a good starting point to know what they should be thinking of changing and what should stay the same. Not every writer needs this, and it's not always in everyone's budget. This is more for writers who feel they need a stronger jumping-off point in the editing process. Editorial Assessments can get costly, ranging from $1,500 to 4,000.
Developmental Editing – This kind of edit focuses on big-picture issues. So, typically, an editor is looking at character development, plot structure, story arcs, worldbuilding, etc. Basically, developmental editing is editing the parts of your story that make up…well, your story. A professional developmental edit can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $ 5,000. If you are looking for a developmental editor, places like Reedsy are always a great place to start. For my novel, I worked with Rillian Weber, who was amazing, and I paid $800. I also provide developmental edits. I charge $300, and you can check out my shop for more information.
Line/Copy Editing – Oftentimes, you might hear these terms used interchangeably. You might be wondering if there is a difference, because they certainly don’t sound the same. And the answer is yes, they are different, but I personally consider them one form of editing. The only time I would distinguish between the two is in non-fiction writing. Line editing is an edit that focuses on sentence structure, dissecting and improving how the words fit together. Copy editing on the author's hand is focused on spelling, technical accuracy, consistency, grammar, etc. But both these edits focus on the same thing: how words go together. Typically, Line/Copy edits cost anywhere from $1,500–$ 3,500. Again, I also provide developmental edits. I charge $400, and you can check out my shop for more information.
Proofreading– This edit is the final checkpoint, before your book is ready to be formatted and sent off to the press. Proofreading is the final edit to ensure your book is as error-free as possible. Between the three different types of edits, I would say this one is the most likely one you’d be able to do by yourself. However, I would still suggest having a professional, or even a friend, look over it because proofreading isn’t just about grammar errors; it's also about factual errors. Like in Chapter Five, it's 7:00 A.M., and in Chapter Six it’s 3:00 P.M., yet the author mentions that only four hours have passed. It's a silly mistake, but I have seen things like that happen. Proofreading can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000. I do offer proofreading services. I charge $300, and you can check out my shop for more information.
A few closing notes. Ultimately, what edits you decide to get are up to you. Pricing can range from super affordable to unbelievably expensive. As the writer of your story, you know what it needs. In the past, I’ve had clients ask me why I offer such low prices for my services, when the market rate is much higher. And what I have to say to that is honestly really simple. I’m a writer. I was a writer who had a budget. I couldn’t afford to pay for every type of edit or pay top dollar for each edit, but I didn’t want my story to suffer because of that. I want to give writers a chance to receive quality edits for a price that won’t break their bank. Not all editors have the liberty to do this. Editing is not my full-time job, but if it were, I would have to price my services much higher than they currently are. But regardless of what your journey looks like as a writer, be confident in your work and trust in yourself. And of course, if you ever need some extra assistance, I’m always here to help you along the way.