What type of editing do I need?
The typical editing process begins with a developmental edit, moves to a copy edit, and ends with a proofread.
Developmental Editing
“If you are looking to take your work to the next level, Karen is the one to help you do it! She is professional, thorough, and got my job completed early. Her help was worth every penny. I will use Karen again the next time I have a project. She is the best!”
— Nancy Jergins, Wise Words Mom
A developmental edit is usually the first edit of a manuscript. It addresses big-picture issues to help the author fine-tune their book so that it is compelling and well-organized. Many people skip this step, but it’s the foundational and most important step in the editing process and results in a more tightened manuscript.
During the developmental edit, I will evaluate and critique:
- Pacing
- Character development
- Transitions
- Logic and organization
- Scope, tone, and voice
- Narrative continuity, arc, and structure
- Development of secondary characters
- Timeline issues
- Language
- Paragraph/sentence structure
- Transitions (between paragraphs and ideas)
- Style issues
- Section headers
- Point of view
- Readability
- Showing not telling
- Dialogue and plot
- Scriptural/theological support, if applicable
I will also identify areas to restructure, as well as weak sections that might need additional (or less) content. A developmental editor does not ghostwrite, copy edit, index, design, or format.
Copy Editing
“Karen copy edited my young adult novel, and I am so glad I got the chance to work with her! She is a skilled editor, great with communication, and returned the completed project sooner than anticipated. I appreciated that she asked questions about style and that she left notes in track changes to let me know the rules behind the changes. Her thorough editing will help me become a stronger writer! Thanks a bunch, Karen!”
— Kelsey Messner, Alfie Canton Showcase
A copy edit tightens and smooths your writing line by line to polish your manuscript before the proofreading stage. In the copy edit, I will address and, if necessary, revise:
- Awkward or unclear sentences
- Overused and colloquial words and phrases
- Style according to The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style, The Chicago Manual of Style, and where appropriate, The SBL Handbook of Style
- Voice, tense, and person
- Redundant sentences and words
- Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
- Transitional phrases/words to connect content between sentences and paragraphs
- Lapses in logic or order that may have not been addressed in the developmental edit
- Chapter titles and subheadings
For theological work, I will also:
- Verify Scripture citations and Bible versions for accuracy
- Check Hebrew/Greek words according to Strong’s Concordance
- Check outside sources and quotes for accuracy and correct citation
- Check cross-references
A copy edit is different from a proofread, although some proofreading naturally occurs in the copy edit. A copyeditor does not index, design, or format.
Proofreading
“Karen is an amazing editor! She has given my manuscript the professionalism and quality that was needed as well as great feedback so that I may continue to grow as a writer. She finished well before the scheduled deadline!”
— Paul Manning, X-Men and the Book of Revelation
Proofreading involves a final review of your manuscript before printing and typically follows a full copy edit. In a proofread, I look for:
- Consistency in style, usage, and presentation
- Typos
- Punctuation errors
- Omissions and inconsistencies in typography, layout, and content
- Extra/odd spaces
- Grammar issues
I will also ensure illustrations and captions correspond with each other and the text and check the table of contents (TOC) against chapter titles, page numbers, and end matter. A proofreader does not copy edit, index, design, or format.
Sermon Manuscript Development
“Excellent editor. Highly recommend. I will have used Karen for two books now and will continue to use her in the future.”
— Reimar Ventne, Smart Sermon
Are you a pastor or teacher looking to develop a sermon series into a book? East Gate Editing can help! I will take your transcribed audio file and perform a developmental edit and a line/copy edit. In this process, I will:
- Develop the manuscript for readability
- Check Scripture citations for correct chapter, verse, and version
- Check and correct spelling of names cited
- Check Hebrew/Greek words and definitions according to Strong’s Concordance
- Affirm outside sources/quotes and correctly cite
- Smooth out grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
- Correctly format Bible verses
- Capitalize deity pronouns upon request
- Ensure consistent style according to The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style and The Chicago Manual of Style
- Rewrite awkward sentences while keeping the intended meaning and author’s voice
- Add transitional phrases between sentences and paragraphs to connect ideas
- Add content to “spice up” weak areas
- Suggest Scripture to solidify ideas and strengthen biblical support
- Insert stories, quotes, and anecdotes to make your manuscript come alive
- Suggest subheads and division of paragraphs and chapters
Once your manuscript is in tip-top shape, I will provide a full copy edit and final proofread.