I’ve had some trouble writing this series because there are eleventy billion blogs and articles out there detailing the different types of editing. However, every editor has their own definition of those services, and I suppose one more blog about it isn’t going to hurt anyone.

This series began as a single article, but a few hundred words in, I realized that splitting it into bite-sized portions would be more easily consumed by my audience (assuming I have one, HA!). You are reading part one, which will briefly lay out the four different types of editing commonly offered by freelance editors, and then each subsequent part will go into more detail on those individual services.

To be clear, hiring an editor does not replace the need for self-editing.

Nor does self-editing replace the need for an editor. To learn how best to edit your own work prior to working with an editor, see the article posted at the bottom of this page.

Types of Editing

Writers are often unaware how many types of editing there are, and where one service starts and another begins. It isn’t uncommon for there to be some integration of services, but most editors prefer to keep them fairly separate as it is impossible to focus on everything at once.

As mentioned above, these definitions are fluid and will likely vary depending on who you ask. The following definitions are merely my interpretation of the various editing services.

Let’s get to it.

1. Developmental Editing: focuses on the overall structure of the story.

2. Line Editing: focuses on each individual sentence of the story.

3. Copy Editing: focuses on spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

4. Proofreading: focuses on cleaning up any technical mistakes that may remain.

Well, that’s it.

Those are the four main types of book editing offered by freelance editors. Click HERE to read Types of Editing: Part Two—Developmental Editing

Click HERE to read Types of Editing: Fork in the Road—Beta Readers

Make sure to check back to see future installments in the series.

Love, periods, and commas,

Jaime

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