Unlocking the Mystery: What Does a Book Editor Actually Do?
A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Role of a Book Editor.
What Does a Book Editor Do?
If you’re a writer, you know how important it is to have someone else read your work. It’s difficult to spot your own mistakes or to be objective about your own writing. That’s where a book editor comes in. But what exactly does a book editor do? And how can they help you make your book the best it can be?
At its most basic level, a book editor is someone who works with writers to make their books better. But that’s a pretty broad definition, and it doesn’t really get into the specifics of what an editor actually does. Let’s take a closer look.
What Editors Actually Do
While all editors have different processes, the goal is the same: to make your book stronger. We close read manuscripts, considering all aspects of the narrative, from overall plot and character arcs, to themes, pacing, emotionality, effectiveness, and writing quality. An editor will bring all their literary knowledge to bear, with a complex understanding of writing and plot structure and how to effectively craft characters that will resonate with your reader.
What are the Different Types of Editing?
I always think of different types of editing as going from the macro to the micro, from the big content questions to the nitpicking of spelling and punctuation.
During a developmental edit, an editor will look at the overall content of the book — plot, pacing, characterizations, voice, perspective, setting, themes — and highlight what is strong and can be built up and what needs further work. We might suggest revising structure, rewriting scenes, or refocusing the narrative on a different point-of-view character.
In line editing, an editor will look closely at individual paragraphs and sentences, cutting or rearranging sentences, suggesting transitions or alterations, and generally honing your writing to strengthen it and communicate your meaning, including emotions, more effectively and accurately.
During a copy edit, the editor will look at your mechanics, such as grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation, and keep track of continuity and consistency. This is where most typos, word choice errors, and other small mechanical issues are caught.
A proofread is the final step, where an editor will look for lingering mistakes and typos in the text. For the most part, this is a purely mechanical edit, approached with the assumption that the text is almost clean and clear of errors.
How to Find a Book Editor
Different editors have different specialties — you’ll find some that specialize in developmental/content editing, others that only do copy editing or proofreading, and some who do everything and anything. Some editors work in one or two genres, others will work across multiple genres. You’re looking for is an editor who fulfills your needs.
Take into consideration what you think your book needs. Do you want lots of feedback and content suggestions? Are you worried about the structure, the pacing, plot, or characters? Do you think your story is too long, but don’t know where to cut it down? Are you worried about your grammar and punctuation? The more aware you are of your own work, the easier it will be to find the kind of editor you need.
The other question is budget and how much you’re able to spend on a book editor. Most editors will be able to offer their rates, either per word or by the hour, and advise what they think they will charge for the edit. But it’s a good idea to be prepared with your own budget — remember that a quality book editor can cost a lot of money, but you’ll also receive a lot in return.
It’s OK to shop around. Read testimonials, if they’re available, and chat directly with multiple editors on email or by phone. You’re looking for someone who works in your genre and who feels a connection to
Eric G. Reid
Co-Founder/Editor/Publisher ~ Skinny Brown Dog Media Eric@EricGReid.com
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