Introduction: The Critical First Step in Editing
When it comes to publishing a book, the journey from draft to printed masterpiece involves many steps. One of the most important is professional editing. However, before you submit your manuscript to an editor, preparation is key.
Think of editing as a fine-tuning process—your manuscript must first be in a well-organized state so that your editor can make the necessary improvements to structure, style, and flow. A poorly prepared manuscript means your editor will spend extra time on basic corrections rather than enhancing the core aspects of your story.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:
- How to self-edit your manuscript before sending it to a professional.
- The different types of editing services available and how to choose the right one.
- Essential formatting and submission guidelines that ensure a smooth editing process.
- Actionable steps to maximize the value of your editor’s feedback.
Let’s explore how to prepare your manuscript for the best possible editing experience.
1. Understanding the Different Types of Editing
Before you dive into the specifics of preparing your manuscript, it’s crucial to understand the different types of editing. Each stage serves a distinct purpose and requires its own focus.
A. Developmental Editing – Big-Picture Editing
What It Covers:
Developmental editing looks at your manuscript’s overall structure—its plot, characters, pacing, and themes. A developmental editor helps refine the broad strokes of your story, ensuring everything from the story arc to character motivations makes sense and flows smoothly.
Who Needs It:
This stage is essential for authors who have completed a rough draft but need assistance with organizing the narrative. It’s ideal if your manuscript requires major revisions in terms of pacing, character development, or structure.
Preparation Tip:
Before seeking developmental editing, ensure that the basic outline of your story is set. Even if not perfect, having a clear idea of your beginning, middle, and end will make the process smoother for both you and your editor.
B. Line Editing – Polishing Style and Flow
What It Covers:
Line editing is focused on improving the clarity and readability of your manuscript. This includes checking sentence structure, enhancing flow, eliminating redundancies, and making sure your writing style aligns with the tone and genre of the book.
Who Needs It:
Authors whose stories are solid but require polishing in terms of language and style. If you have a manuscript that’s structurally sound but your prose feels clunky, line editing is for you.
Preparation Tip:
Read your manuscript aloud before submitting it for line editing. This practice will help you catch awkward phrasing and repetitive words that don’t flow naturally.
C. Copy Editing – Ensuring Accuracy and Consistency
What It Covers:
Copy editing focuses on grammar, punctuation, spelling, and overall consistency. It also ensures uniformity in formatting, corrects typographical errors, and ensures your manuscript adheres to the appropriate writing style (Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, etc.).
Who Needs It:
Every manuscript, whether fiction or non-fiction, benefits from a copy edit. If your manuscript is mostly polished but requires correction of grammar and typographical issues, copy editing is the final step to perfection.
Preparation Tip:
Run your manuscript through grammar-check tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to catch the obvious errors before submitting it for professional copy editing.
D. Proofreading – The Final Touch
What It Covers:
Proofreading is the final check before publication. It focuses on fixing small errors, such as typos, misspellings, or inconsistent formatting, ensuring that your manuscript is as close to perfect as possible.
Who Needs It:
Proofreading is needed by anyone who has completed their manuscript editing and is ready to prepare for publication or printing.
Preparation Tip:
Give your manuscript a last read-through before submitting it for proofreading. It’s often helpful to print out your manuscript, as reading on paper can help you spot errors you might have missed on a screen.
2. How to Self-Edit Before Professional Editing
A major part of preparing your manuscript for professional editing is to go through a self-editing process. Here are the steps to ensure your manuscript is in its best form before you hand it over to an editor.
Key Self-Editing Steps
- Step 1: Finish the First Draft
Don’t rush the process—complete your first draft without worrying about perfection. Editing as you write can be counterproductive. Focus on getting your ideas on paper first. - Step 2: Read Aloud
Reading your manuscript aloud helps identify awkward sentences, repetitive phrases, and any stiff dialogue. If it doesn’t sound right when spoken, it likely needs revision. - Step 3: Use Editing Tools
Tools like Hemingway or Grammarly can help eliminate basic grammar errors, sentence structure issues, and readability problems. While these tools aren’t perfect, they’re great for catching basic mistakes. - Step 4: Remove Redundant Phrases
Tighten up your writing by eliminating unnecessary words and phrases. Look for common fillers like “very”, “really”, and “just” that don’t add meaning to the sentence. - Step 5: Focus on the Big Picture
Look for any story inconsistencies or plot holes. Ensure your characters are consistent in their actions, motivations, and development. - Step 6: Format Your Manuscript Properly
Formatting is crucial when submitting to an editor. Use a 12-point standard font (Times New Roman or Arial), double-spacing, and 1-inch margins. Don’t forget to number the pages!
3. Best Practices for Submitting Your Manuscript to an Editor
Once your manuscript is ready, the next step is submitting it for professional editing. Editors expect specific things from authors, so making sure you follow the best practices will ensure a smoother collaboration.
Best Practices for Submission
- Include a Synopsis
Provide a brief summary of your manuscript. This gives your editor a clear understanding of your story and its themes. - Clarify Your Editing Goals
Clearly state what you hope to achieve with editing. Whether you need structural changes, stylistic improvements, or simply error correction, setting expectations upfront will help the editor know where to focus. - Provide a Style Guide (if necessary)
If your manuscript follows a particular style guide, mention it. This ensures consistency and helps your editor tailor their work to your chosen standards. - Highlight Areas of Concern
If there are certain sections or elements that you’re unsure about (plot, character development, pacing), point them out so the editor can focus on those areas.
4. Maximizing the Value of Professional Editing
To get the most from your editor, follow these tips for maximizing the value of the editing process.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Editor
- Be Open to Feedback
Editors offer constructive criticism to improve your manuscript, so be open-minded. Even if the feedback feels tough, trust that it’s meant to help you become a better writer. - Ask Questions
If you don’t understand certain feedback or changes, ask for clarification. A good editor will be happy to explain their reasoning. - Review Edits Carefully
After receiving the edited manuscript, take the time to review each suggestion. Don’t make changes hastily—think about how each edit improves the manuscript before accepting it.
Consider a Final Round of Proofreading
After editing, a final proofread ensures that any lingering errors are caught before publication. A second set of eyes can help detect those last-minute mistakes.
Conclusion
In summary, preparing your manuscript for professional editing is about laying the foundation for a polished, publishable book. By following the self-editing steps, understanding the different types of editing, and submitting your manuscript correctly, you set your editor up for success—and by extension, your manuscript’s success.
The right editing process can elevate your book to new heights. Ready to make your manuscript the best it can be?
Call to Action:
Contact Booksola’s professional editors today and get a free consultation to start transforming your manuscript into the next bestseller.