What To Expect When Working With A Book Editor

Gary Smailes | 5 November 2025

Editorial Stages You’ll Encounter

Every edit has a job. Mix them up, and you lose time and money. Get the order right, and the book moves forward with less thrash.

Developmental editing

This is the big-picture pass. Structure, plot, pacing, character arcs, point of view, and theme. Expect a lengthy editorial letter plus margin queries that point to exact pages.

What you receive:

• A letter that outlines what works, what drags, and why readers might stall.
• Page-level notes that flag confusion, stakes, and scene purpose.
• A plan for revision, often broken into priority tiers.

A short example from a letter:

• “Act One sets up Maya’s goal, but the midpoint shifts it without a clear cause. Anchor the turn to a decision she makes, not an exterior event. Suggested fix, add a scene where Maya chooses to break the rule to save Lina, which triggers the chase.”
• “Two points of view in Chapter 7 reduce tension. Choose Maya or Tomas here. If you keep both, separate by scene breaks and align timelines.”

How to know you need this stage:

• You struggle to pitch the book in one sentence.
• Beta readers report a “slow middle” or confusion about who wants what.
• You are still moving or cutting scenes.

One quick exercise:

• Write a one-paragraph synopsis, five sentences max. If writing it hurts, you need developmental work before anything else.

Line editing

Now the sentences. Style, tone, rhythm, and clarity. The goal is flow, voice, and meaning, not grammar policing. Expect a Track Changes file full of trims, reorders, and queries.

Before and after:

• Before: “There was a sudden loud sound that caused her to quickly turn around in a panicked sort of way.”
• After: “A bang. She spun, heart thudding.”

What you receive:

• A marked-up manuscript focused on concision, cadence, and point of view control.
• Notes on echoes, filter words, and clichés, with examples of stronger options.
• Margin questions that teach, “Do we need this adverb, or does the verb carry it?”

How to know you need this stage:

• Scenes work, but pages feel wordy or flat.
• Voice wobbles from chapter to chapter.
• You hear yourself in edits that trim without dulling the spark.

A quick test:

• Read one page aloud. If your mouth trips, if modifiers stack up, or if sentences all march at the same length, line work is the next step.

Copyediting

Mechanics and consistency. Grammar, punctuation, usage, continuity, and style decisions. Expect edits aligned to Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster, plus a style sheet.

What you receive:

• Corrections to spelling, hyphenation, capitalization, numbers, and compound words.
• Standardized treatments, dialogue punctuation, ellipses, em spaces, and so on.
• A style sheet tracking choices and series details.

Sample style sheet entries:

• Spelling: judgment, toward, email, copyedit.
• Numbers: spell out one through one hundred, numerals above.
• Dialogue: double quotation marks for speech, single for nested quotes.
• Names: “Maya Selim,” nickname “May,” mother “Lina,” town “Harbor Point.”
• Timeline: summer 2024, school starts 26 Aug, storm night 12 Sep.

How to know you need this stage:

• Structure and language choices are locked.
• You have a near-final draft and want it clean and consistent.

Proofreading

The last check after typesetting or layout. Typos, formatting slips, bad word breaks, page numbers, header consistency. No new wording here.

What you receive:

• Markup on a PDF or designed pages that flags lingering errors.
• Notes on widows, orphans, and layout gaffes.
• A short errata list for your designer.

How to know you need this stage:

• You have final pages. The book looks like a book.
• You touch text only to fix errors, not to rewrite.

A common misstep:

• Proofreading a Word draft before design. You will miss layout issues and repeat the work once the text moves.

Why one edit rarely does everything

Each stage solves a different problem. If you hire a “do it all” pass, you pay for sentence polish on chapters that might later get cut. Or you enforce commas on a scene that should not exist. Smart sequencing saves you.

A simple order for most books:

• Developmental edit, then revise.
• Line edit, then revise.
• Copyedit, quick author check.
• Proofreading on designed pages.

Different editors often handle different rounds. Specialists bring sharper eyes. If you prefer one person across two stages, ask how they separate passes in time and mindset.

How to pick the stage you need now

Use this checklist:

• Do you know your protagonist’s goal, stakes, and change by the end? If no, start with developmental.
• Do readers follow the plot without confusion, yet complain about slow or clunky pages? Move to line.
• Do you feel proud of the sentences and want consistency and correctness? Choose copyedit.
• Do you have laid-out pages waiting for a last look? Book a proofread.

Two mini self-tests:

• The nap test. Hand Chapter 8 to a trusted reader with no context. Ask where they lose interest and why. If they sleep during your midpoint, go developmental.
• The margin test. Open your draft and highlight all adverbs on one page. If half the lines glow, line editing will help you compress and sharpen.

What deliverables look like, stage by stage

• Developmental: a 5 to 15 page letter, a marked-up manuscript with margin queries, and a revision plan.
• Line: one Track Changes file with detailed sentence work plus a brief note on patterns to watch.
• Copyedit: a clean, consistent manuscript, a style sheet, and a short note on ambiguous areas.
• Proofread: a marked PDF or annotated printout that flags final errors, no rewrites.

A quick story from the trenches

An author brought me a 90,000 word thriller with a fresh copyedit. Gorgeous commas. No engine in Act Two. We paused the polish, did a developmental pass, cut a subplot, and raised the stakes. Then line, then a light copyedit. Same budget as the endless tinkering they had planned, fewer weeks wasted, stronger book. Order matters.

Final note for your timeline

Do not jump to copyediting before story structure is stable. Fixing commas on scenes you will cut is a tax on your future self. Identify the level you need now. Book that stage, do the work, then move forward. Your pages will thank you.

Onboarding, Scope, and Clear Agreements

The intake process sets the tone for everything. Skip steps here, and you will spend weeks untangling misaligned expectations later.

The intake brief

Your editor needs context to quote and plan the work. Expect questions about genre and subgenre, word count, comparable titles, target reader, your biggest concerns, timeline, and publishing path.

Sample intake questions:

• Genre: Contemporary romance or romantic suspense?
• Word count: 85,000 words or 72,000?
• Comparable titles: What three published books feel similar in tone, audience, or market position?
• Target reader: Who buys and recommends this book?
• Pain points: Where do you feel stuck or uncertain?
• Timeline: When do you need the edit back?
• Publishing path: Traditional submission or self-publishing?

Why these details matter:

Genre affects pacing expectations. Romance readers want different beats than thriller fans. Word count signals scope and complexity. Comparable titles help the editor gauge your market awareness and style goals. Target reader shapes voice and content notes. Pain points focus the edit on your biggest concerns. Timeline determines availability and rush fees. Publishing path affects style choices and polish level.

A quick example of how details change the approach:

• Traditional submission: The editor might flag market trends and agent expectations.
• Self-publishing: More attention to copyediting consistency and reader experience optimization.

Sample edits and diagnostics

Many editors offer a paid sample edit on 1,000 to 2,000 words or a manuscript diagnostic before you book the full project. This step confirms fit and scope.

What a sample edit includes:

• A marked-up excerpt showing their editing style and depth.
• A brief note on patterns they notice and approach recommendations.
• A clearer sense of timeline and cost based on your manuscript's actual needs.

What a diagnostic includes:

• A read-through of the full manuscript with high-level notes.
• A summary of strengths, challenges, and recommended editorial approach.
• A more accurate quote based on complexity and current draft quality.

Both options cost money, typically $200 to $500. Worth it if you are choosing between editors or unsure about scope. Not necessary if you have a referral and clear project parameters.

A story from experience:

An author requested a developmental edit quote. The diagnostic revealed the structure worked well, but the prose needed line editing. We redirected the focus and saved three weeks of revision time. The upfront diagnostic fee paid for itself in avoided rework.

Quote breakdowns and deliverables

Your quote should itemize what you receive, not just list a total price. Ask for specifics.

Standard deliverables to expect:

• Editorial letter: How many pages? What topics does it cover?
• Manuscript markup: Track Changes, margin comments, or both?
• Style sheet: Included or separate fee?
• Revision support: How many follow-up questions are included?
• Timeline: Start date, delivery date, revision window.
• Second pass: Included, discounted, or full rate?

Sample quote breakdown:

• Developmental edit of 80,000-word fantasy novel.
• Deliverables: 8-12 page editorial letter covering structure, character arcs, pacing, and world-building. Margin queries throughout manuscript addressing scene goals, transitions, and stakes. Style sheet tracking names, places, magic system terms, and timeline.
• Timeline: Start March 15, delivery April 26, two-week revision window for questions.
• Fee: $3,200, 50% deposit, balance on delivery.
• Second-pass option: $800 after substantial revision.

Contract essentials

Professional editors work with contracts. Expect coverage of timeline, rate structure, deposit terms, milestone payments, rush fees, confidentiality, and intellectual property.

Timeline terms:

• Start date and delivery date.
• What happens if you deliver the manuscript late.
• Rush fees for expedited turnaround.
• Holiday and vacation blackout dates.

Rate structure:

• Per-word, per-hour, or flat project fee.
• When invoices go out and payment terms.
• Heavy-edit surcharges if the manuscript needs more work than quoted.

Deposit and milestones:

• Upfront deposit, typically 25% to 50%.
• Payment schedule for long projects.
• Refund policy if the project cancels.

Confidentiality and IP:

• Non-disclosure agreement covering your manuscript content.
• Intellectual property ownership (you keep all rights to your work).
• How the editor may reference the project in portfolios or testimonials.

Red flags in contracts:

• No clear deliverables or timeline.
• Vague language about scope or additional fees.
• IP claims or excessive confidentiality restrictions on your end.
• No refund policy or dispute resolution process.

Technical choices you will make

Your editor will ask about English variant, file format, and reference materials. These decisions affect the editing process and final product.

English variant options:

• US English: Oxford comma optional, -ize endings, American spellings.
• UK English: Oxford comma less common, -ise endings, British spellings.
• Canadian English: Mix of US and UK conventions.
• Australian English: British spellings with local terms.

File format choices:

• Microsoft Word with Track Changes: Industry standard, robust commenting.
• Google Docs with Suggesting mode: Real-time collaboration, cloud-based.
• Other platforms: Some editors use specialized tools, but Word dominates.

Reference materials:

• Style guide: Chicago Manual of Style for fiction, AP for journalism, MLA for academic.
• Dictionary: Merriam-Webster for US, Oxford for UK.
• Series bible: Character sheets, world-building notes, timeline for multi-book projects.

Sample conversation about definitions

You and your editor should align on what each service includes. These definitions vary between professionals.

Author: "What does your developmental edit include?"

Editor: "Structure, character arcs, pacing, point of view, and theme. I provide an 8-12 page letter plus margin queries. I do not line-edit sentences or copyedit grammar in this pass."

Author: "What about a second pass?"

Editor: "After you revise based on my letter, I will read the revised manuscript and provide a shorter follow-up letter, usually 2-4 pages, focusing on how well the revisions

The Editing Workflow and Timeline

The editing process follows a predictable rhythm. Understanding the flow helps you prepare mentally and logistically for each phase.

The standard workflow

Most professional edits follow this sequence: kickoff call, full manuscript read, editing pass with queries, editorial letter, author revision period, optional second pass, then transition to the next editorial stage.

Kickoff call

Your editor reviews the intake brief and discusses project goals. Expect questions about specific concerns, style preferences, and timeline constraints. This call lasts 15 to 30 minutes and sets expectations for the work ahead.

Sample kickoff topics:

• Which chapters worry you most?
• Are there scenes you love but others find confusing?
• What feedback have you received from beta readers or critique partners?
• How do you prefer to receive difficult news about structural issues?
• Do you have questions about the editing process or deliverables?

Full manuscript read

Your editor reads the entire manuscript before making any changes. This prevents early chapters from receiving heavy edits while later chapters get light treatment. The read-through also helps identify patterns and recurring issues.

During this phase, your editor takes notes on:

• Overall story arc and pacing
• Character development and consistency
• Point of view and voice
• Theme and subtext
• Technical craft issues that appear throughout

Editing pass with margin queries

After the full read, your editor works through the manuscript systematically, adding comments and suggestions. Developmental editors focus on story structure. Line editors concentrate on sentence-level craft. Copyeditors address grammar and consistency.

Margin queries serve different purposes:

• Questions: "Why does Sarah trust him here when she was suspicious two scenes ago?"
• Suggestions: "Consider starting this chapter with action instead of backstory."
• Explanations: "This transition feels abrupt. The reader needs a bridge between these time periods."
• Technical notes: "Timeline issue: You mentioned three days earlier, but the events suggest a week."

Editorial letter

The letter summarizes big-picture findings and provides a roadmap for revision. Developmental letters run 6 to 15 pages and address structure, character, pacing, and theme. Line editing letters focus on style, voice, and sentence-level patterns. Copyediting letters highlight consistency issues and style guide decisions.

A strong editorial letter includes:

• Opening summary of the manuscript's strengths
• Priority issues ranked by impact on reader experience
• Specific examples with page references
• Suggested approaches for major revisions
• Encouragement and realistic timeline expectations

Author revision period

You receive the edited manuscript and letter, then plan your revision approach. Most authors need time to process the feedback before diving into changes. Professional editors expect this adjustment period and build it into project timelines.

Optional second pass

After substantial revision, many editors offer a follow-up review of changed sections. This second pass confirms that revisions addressed the original concerns and identifies any new issues introduced during revision.

Timeline expectations by editing type

Editing speed depends on manuscript complexity, editor workload, and scope of work. These ranges reflect industry norms for professional editors working at sustainable pace.

Developmental editing timelines

• 50,000-word novella: 2-4 weeks
• 80,000-word novel: 3-6 weeks
• 120,000-word epic fantasy: 6-10 weeks
• Complex narrative structure: Add 1-2 weeks
• Series continuity review: Add 1-3 weeks depending on series length

Line editing timelines

• 50,000-word manuscript: 2-3 weeks
• 80,000-word manuscript: 3-4 weeks
• 120,000-word manuscript: 4-6 weeks
• Heavy prose issues: Add 1-2 weeks
• Technical or historical accuracy checks: Add time for research

Copyediting timelines

• 50,000-word manuscript: 1-2 weeks
• 80,000-word manuscript: 2-3 weeks
• 120,000-word manuscript: 3-4 weeks
• Extensive style sheet creation: Add several days
• Multiple POV characters or timelines: Add time for consistency tracking

Proofreading timelines

• 200-page formatted book: 3-5 days
• 400-page formatted book: 1-2 weeks
• Complex layout with graphics: Add time for visual element review
• Ebook and print versions: Add time for format-specific checks

Why editors explain their suggestions

Good editors teach while they edit. Margin queries include the reasoning behind suggestions, helping you understand craft principles and apply lessons to future writing.

Generic feedback: "This scene drags."

Teaching feedback: "This scene serves two purposes: developing Sarah's relationship with her sister and revealing the family secret. The relationship development works well, but the secret reveal gets buried in dialogue about dinner plans. Consider moving the revelation to a more prominent position or creating a separate scene focused on that discovery."

Generic feedback: "Awkward sentence."

Teaching feedback: "The subject here is 'attempts,' but the sentence structure makes it sound like 'Sarah' is the subject. Try: 'Sarah's attempts to reconcile with her mother failed' instead of 'Sarah attempted to reconcile with her mother, but her attempts failed.'"

This approach helps you recognize similar issues independently and reduces repetitive problems in future drafts.

Style sheets and documentation

Professional editors create style sheets tracking decisions about spelling, hyphenation, capitalization, character details, timeline, and stylistic conventions. You receive this sheet with your edited manuscript.

Spelling and hyphenation choices

• blonde vs. blond
• toward vs. towards
• teenage vs. teen-age vs. teenaged
• email vs. e-mail
• wifi vs. Wi-Fi

Character and setting details

• Character name spellings and nicknames
• Physical descriptions and ages
• Location names and geographic details
• Historical or technical terms
• Fictional world-building elements

Timeline tracking

• Chapter-by-chapter chronology
• Character ages at different story points
• Seasonal and weather references
• Historical event dates for period fiction
• Day-of-week consistency

Style conventions

• Dialogue tag preferences
• Italics usage for thoughts, emphasis, foreign words
• Number style (spelled out vs. numerals)
• Title capitalization for books, movies, songs
• Brand name treatment

Tools and technology

Most professional editors work in Microsoft Word with Track Changes enabled or Google Docs with Suggesting mode. These platforms provide robust commenting systems and revision tracking.

Microsoft Word advantages

• Industry standard format
• Sophisticated Track Changes functionality
• Extensive commenting options
• Works offline
• Compatible with most submission systems

Google Docs advantages

• Real-time collaboration
• Cloud-based file storage
• Easy sharing and access control
• Automatic version history
• Mobile editing capability

Additional editor tools

Some editors supplement standard word processors with specialized software:

• Style sheet templates and checklists
• Timeline tracking spreadsheets
• Character development worksheets
• Plot structure templates
• Issue logs for complex revision tracking

Communication and check-ins

Professional editing relationships thrive on clear communication. Establish preferences early and stick to agreed response times.

Standard check-in schedule

• Project start confirmation within 24 hours
• Weekly progress updates for projects longer than three weeks
• Immediate communication for timeline issues or scope changes
• Delivery confirmation and brief project wrap-up

Response time expectations

• Urgent questions: Same business day
• General questions: Within 48 hours
• Revision feedback: 3-5 business days
• Scheduling changes: As much notice as possible

How to flag problems

Contact your editor immediately if:

• You discover major errors in your submitted manuscript
• Your timeline changes significantly
• You have concerns about the editing approach
• Technical problems prevent file access or collaboration

Preparing for the editing phase

Calendar blocking

Reserve time for:

• Reviewing the edited manuscript (plan several focused sessions)
• Processing the editorial letter (this takes longer than you think)
• Planning your revision approach
• Executing revisions
• Follow-up questions and clarification requests

File management system

Establish clear naming conventions before the edit begins:

• Original submission: "Title_draft_v2_submitted.docx"
• Edited version: "Title_draft_v2_devEdit_returned.docx"
• Your revision: "Title_draft_v3_revised.docx"
• Second pass: "Title_draft_v3_secondPass_returned.docx"

Backup strategy

• Save files in multiple locations (computer, cloud storage, external drive)
• Export important versions as PDFs for archival reference
• Keep the original unedited version safe
• Document major revision decisions in case you need to revisit them

Managing expectations during longer projects

Extended editing projects require patience and trust in the process. Your editor balances quality with efficiency, but

Working with Feedback Without Losing Your Voice

You hold the pen. Always. Accept, reject, or adapt every suggestion. A good editor aims to sharpen meaning and rhythm, not replace your style with theirs.

What feedback looks like

Feedback tends to land in three layers.

• Big picture. Structure, pacing, stakes, arc, point of view, theme. Example query: "Chapter 10 repeats beats from Chapter 6. What new turn do you want here?"
• Line work. Word choice, echoes, filter words, clunky transitions. Example comment: "Three sentences start with 'I'. Vary openings to keep momentum."
• Mechanics. Grammar, punctuation, usage, continuity, style guide calls. Example note: "Toward vs. towards. Pick one for consistency."

Each layer serves a reader outcome. Clear story. Clean prose. Smooth reading.

Friction without flames

Some notes will sting. That is normal. Productive disagreement keeps your voice alive.

Trade positions for goals. Instead of "I like this sentence," try "I want Claudia to sound guarded here." Invite a path forward. "If the rhythm feels flat, point me to the clause you think holds the weight."

A quick script for tricky moments:

• Name the aim. "I want suspense peaking before the reveal."
• Cite a spot. "Page 142, last paragraph."
• Ask a focused question. "Would a shorter paragraph and one beat of interiority serve better?"

Stick with specifics, not vibes.

What makes feedback useful

Vague: "Make this punchier."

Specific: "Cut the preamble in the first three lines, open with the decision, then tuck the context after the second sentence."

Vague: "Character feels off."

Specific: "Jonas threatens the clerk here, yet earlier chapters frame him as conflict-avoidant. Either seed a temper earlier or switch this to quiet pressure."

Ask for rationale when a note feels off. Good editors explain the why, not only the what. You learn faster, and your next draft arrives stronger.

Guard your voice without getting defensive

Know your non‑negotiables. Maybe your narrator keeps blunt fragments. Maybe humor leans dry. Tell your editor. Put it in the brief and again before line work begins.

Quick voice audit:

• Pull a page you love from your own work.
• Mark three traits you want to preserve. Pace, sentence length, diction, attitude.
• Share those traits. Add a note in the file header.

During revision, read a page aloud. If your ear says, "Sounds like me," you are on track. If the rhythm goes flat, revert or revise further.

Avoid "Accept All." Triage.

• Green, easy wins. Typos, missing words, clarity gains without tone loss.
• Yellow, tryouts. Edits you will test, then keep or tweak based on read-aloud.
• Red, voice risks. Decline or propose an alternative.

The emotional cycle

First reaction often looks like defensiveness or fatigue. Let it pass.

A simple plan:

• Step away for a day, or at least an hour.
• Skim for praise, mark strengths. This builds a steady base.
• Read the letter again, slower.
• Rank notes by impact on reader clarity, not personal pride.

Give yourself permission to feel weird about cutting a line you adored. Keep it in a scrapbook file. Future you might recycle it in a better spot.

Build a revision roadmap

Open the editorial letter. Translate notes into tasks.

• List every issue in a spreadsheet or doc. One row per note.
• Tag by level. Story, line, mechanical.
• Set priority. Must fix, should fix, nice to have.
• Link pages or chapters for quick jumps.
• Write the action you will take, not a vague intention. "Raise stakes in Chapter 12 by making the choice cost Marta her promotion."
• Add a column for status. Planned, in progress, done.
• Keep a parking lot for ideas to revisit.

Work in passes. First, big moves. Reorder scenes, cut subplots, raise stakes, repair timeline. Only once structure feels solid should you touch line rhythm. Mechanics last.

Communicate through the process

If a note puzzles you, respond inside the comment thread with a specific question. "I see the pacing flag. Which part drags more for you, the backstory paragraph or the exchange with the neighbor?" This invites a focused answer and saves time.

If you disagree, show your work. "I kept the long sentence here to hold breath until the reveal. I trimmed two modifiers to keep pace while preserving the rush." Most editors will nod and move on.

Keep decisions visible

Create a running style and decision log. Two pages do the trick.

• House choices. Toward, email, percent symbol, honorifics, serial comma.
• Character facts. Ages, spellings, roles, pets, vehicles.
• Voice rules. Swears, slang, contractions, interior monologue format.
• Repeated choices. How you format texts and epigraphs. Scene break symbols. Italics for thoughts.

Share this log with your editor before line work. Fewer back‑and‑forths, tighter consistency, fewer late surprises.

Small exercises to stay you

• Fifty-word voice warm‑up. Before editing, write a quick paragraph in your narrator’s voice on a random prompt. Hold that rhythm while revising.
• Echo sweep. Use search to find repeated words in a paragraph. Replace two, keep your signature one.
• Filter purge. Scan a page for saw, heard, felt, realized, thought. Keep only where perception, not action, matters.

A last word on control

You steer. Editors bring experience, pattern spotting, and options. Your voice carries the story across the finish. Use feedback as a lens, not a replacement. Take what serves the reader you want, leave what dulls your sound, and document choices so the next stage goes smoother.

Revisions, Deliverables, and Next Steps to Publication

Developmental edits are not the finish line. They are the blueprint for your rebuild. Before you touch sentences, plan a substantive pass. Structure first. Then style. Then mechanics.

Plan the big revision

Treat the edit letter like a project brief.

• List the major fixes by chapter or scene. Stakes, order of events, point of view, timelines.
• Tackle high‑impact changes first. Cuts, new scenes, merged characters, reworked midpoint, stronger ending.
• Hold onto favorite lines in a parking lot file. Save them for later drafts.
• Give yourself a deadline for this pass. Protect it in your calendar.

Do not slide into line tweaks while scenes still move around. Every early polish adds cost later. Every early polish also risks new continuity errors.

Use the support window wisely

Many editors include short post‑delivery support. Often one to two weeks. Sometimes a discounted second look on revised pages. Confirm terms before you start revising.

Use the window for focused questions.

• Good: “If I move the reveal to Chapter 14, does the clue in Chapter 9 still pay off?”
• Good: “I wrote two versions of the new scene. A tight confrontation and a quiet one. Which fits the tone you flagged in the letter?”
• Less helpful: “Feeling lost. What should I do?” Start with your plan, then ask for targeted help.

If your package includes a call, arrive with an agenda. Three priorities, tops. Share pages in advance when possible.

Post‑edit checks before the next stage

Once big fixes land, sweep for alignment.

• Run find/replace for names, places, and terminology. Ash vs. Ashe. Email vs. e‑mail. Toward vs. towards. Pick one and stick with it.
• Update the style sheet. Add spelling choices, hyphenation, capitalizations, dates, ages, and any new world rules.
• Resolve every open query in comments. Mark “Handled” or answer with a decision.
• Read continuity hotspots. First and last pages of each chapter, scene transitions, time jumps, and any place where a secret or clue moves.

When structure feels stable and your style sheet reflects the new draft, move to line or copyediting.

Prepare for proofreading

Proofreading checks typos and layout hiccups. No new wording. To make it work, proof on designed pages or a near‑final PDF or epub.

• Lock text before layout. Last‑minute rewrites throw widows, orphans, reflows, and page numbers out of sync.
• Provide the latest style sheet to the proofreader.
• Decide on proof marks. PDF comments, sticky notes in a shared doc, or a proofing tool. Agree on method before handoff.
• Review a few pages together early. Align on how to flag bad breaks, loose tracking, missing folios, and header consistency.

Adjacent services worth lining up

Different books need different partners. Here is a quick map.

• Sensitivity reading. When you write outside your lived experience and want informed feedback on harm, bias, and nuance.
• Fact‑checking. For nonfiction, historical work, or any project with dates, quotes, stats, or procedures.
• Indexing. For nonfiction with terms readers will need to find fast. Hire after pages lock.
• Legal review. Memoir or investigative work benefits from a lawyer’s eye.
• Metadata, ISBN, and distribution. For self‑publishing, plan BISAC subjects, keywords, descriptions, author bio, and buy identifiers before files go to retailers.

Build these into your schedule. Leave room for fixes that flow from each report.

What editors do not promise

Editors shape the manuscript. They do not guarantee an agent, sales, or reviews. Marketing sits outside most editorial contracts. If you want help with pitches, ad copy, or outreach, book those services separately.

Version control and handoff

Keep your files tidy.

• Use clear names. Title_Author_v05_RevAfterDev_2025‑03‑12.docx.
• Store your style sheet beside the draft. Update date and version number every time.
• Track decisions in a log. “Italics for thoughts, no quote marks.” “Numbers under one hundred spelled out.” Share this with every new vendor.

Build your production schedule backward

Open your calendar. Pick a launch date. Now build steps in reverse. A sample for an 80k novel follows. Adjust for your project.

• Week 0: Launch.
• Week 1: Final proof sign‑off, distribution upload, print order.
• Weeks 2–3: Proofreading on designed pages, author review, fixes.
• Weeks 4–5: Interior layout and ebook conversion, author check of first pass, revisions, second pass if needed.
• Weeks 6–9: Line and copyedit, author review, fixes.
• Weeks 10–13: Author revision from developmental edit, spot consults in support window.
• Weeks 14–17: Developmental edit in progress.
• Weeks 18–19: Beta reads or sensitivity read, if planned before dev or between dev rounds.
• Week 20: Kickoff and handoff tasks, update brief, gather comps, clarify scope.

Add buffers. Vendors reschedule. Life interrupts. A two‑week cushion saves stress.

Quick checklist before you move on

• Big changes made and tested.
• Style sheet current and shared.
• All queries closed or assigned.
• Deliverables confirmed for next stage. Number of passes, turnaround, and support window.
• Files named, dated, and backed up in two places.

One stage at a time. Keep your voice steady, your records clean, and your timeline honest. The book will thank you on the shelf.

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