Independent authors make better decisions when publishing terms, responsibilities, costs, and tradeoffs are explained plainly. This guide addresses the practical questions beneath the marketing language.
Editing is not one service
A manuscript can need structural work, sentence-level refinement, consistency checks, or final error correction. Buying the wrong stage wastes money and may force the work to be repeated.
Developmental editing
Developmental editing addresses the architecture of the book: purpose, audience, argument, narrative arc, chapter order, pacing, missing material, repetition, emotional movement, and reader experience. The deliverables may include an editorial letter, in-manuscript comments, and a revision plan.
Line editing
Line editing improves how the prose works at the paragraph and sentence level. It may address rhythm, clarity, tone, transitions, repetition, point of view, and the relationship between style and meaning.
Copyediting
Copyediting corrects grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, consistency, citations, names, dates, and style. A copyeditor may create a style sheet that records decisions across the manuscript.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final check after layout. It catches remaining typographical errors, page-level inconsistencies, awkward breaks, header problems, and production mistakes. It is not the moment to rebuild Chapter Seven, despite Chapter Seven’s late enthusiasm.
The correct order
For most books, structural editing comes before line or copyediting, and proofreading comes after design and formatting. A manuscript assessment can identify the right starting point before the author purchases several overlapping services.
Start with the actual book.
Sentinel House Press assesses memoir and serious nonfiction projects before recommending editorial, production, distribution, website, or launch services.
Request a project assessment