Editing.
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Developmental Edit (Substantive Edit)
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Copyedit
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Proofread
Has your manuscript been professionally edited?
Editing is a mandatory part of any publication process that helps make your book flow and remain free of errors. Editing improves the overall structure and quality of your manuscript, or it can serve as the eyes and ears to catch the odd typo.
Every book we publish normally goes through at least one round each of the different types of editing listed below. This is our standard to ensure quality. Sometimes a book will experience multiple rounds of the same type of editing. The time it takes to complete the editing, as well as the editing involved, all depends on the book.
Please note: We do not offer a separate editing service to edit books we do not intend to publish. However, if you’re browsing around the publishing industry and you would like a second opinion on your work, we do offer a manuscript evaluation and review—scroll down to see below.
Developmental ediT / Edit 1
Basic
A developmental edit is very different from a copyedit or a proofread. Only the most experienced editors can perform a developmental edit. Often known as a “substantive edit” or “content editing,” this gives a bird’s eye view of your overall structure at a high level.
Intermediate
Although it is “too high up” to really see the details, this part is necessary because it requires very close work with authors. It can sometimes borderline on ghostwriting because editors might introduce new lines and words directly into the text. Editors here will draw upon their instinct, experience, and their lifetime of reading to help a manuscript reach its fullest potential.
Advanced
Most manuscripts experience at least one round of developmental editing before they are published. Published books that haven’t gone through this process are usually baggy and unfocused.
Advanced
Developmental editing tackles the following issues related to organization and structure:
Enhances overall flow
Maintains organization, structure, clarity, and consistency
Provides a broad assessment
Gives a “big-picture” analysis
Preserves clarity, purpose, and readership
COPYEDIT / EDIT 2
Basic
A copyedit is more technical. The copyeditor will maintain awareness of the overarching themes of your book while getting into the details.
Intermediate
Copyediting is often partnered with a developmental edit because of the focus on other elements such as word choice, paragraph organization, and sentence structure.
Advanced
Heavy copyediting can stray into the borderlines of developmental editing when it involves structural changes. Copyediting can be heavy, medium, or light, depending on the manuscript.
Advanced
A copyedit focuses on:
Grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation
Continuity (i.e., theme, story inconsistencies, differences between American and UK spelling)
Style (tonality, voice, narration)
Fact checking (i.e., factually incorrect statements, historical references, double-checking for any potential legal liability, the accuracy of dates or names)
proofread / EDIT 3
Basic
A proofread is a final set of eyes to catch errors that leaked past the copyedit. This process is the last stage of editing before publishing.
Intermediate
The proofreading process is in one or two stages: the proofreader will look over the manuscript after it’s been copyedited and clean any last-minute mistakes. Once a manuscript is designed, the proofreader will go over it usually one more time (called a “final pass”) to check if everything has been properly translated over to the interior layout.
Advanced
A proofread is the final stage of a manuscript, right before the final files are converted and/or finalized into a print-ready file or an e-book format ready for distribution.
Advanced
Proofreading fixes:
Typographical (“typos”) and mechanical errors (extra spaces, missing or doubled-up punctuation)
Grammatical and spelling errors
Formatting issues (numbers, margins, fonts)
manuscript evaluation and review
Sometimes when you write a book, you need to know if it works before investing in the editing and publishing process.
If you’re not sure you’re ready yet to edit or publish your book, an editorial evaluation will help you understand the current state of your manuscript and which direction to go.
get 5 steps closer to publishing with a manuscript evaluation and review.
Basic
1. A professional editor will look over your work (as is) without changing anything.
Basic
2. An editorial evaluation is like a mini developmental edit. This is where “big-picture” changes are identified.
Intermediate
3. You can already be working with an editor to use this service—maybe you just need an extra set of eyes or a professional opinion.
Basic
4. We connect personally, one-on-one with CEO/Publisher/Managing Editor Lindsay R.A. Dierking over Zoom (video call), for 1 hour to talk about your book, goals, and vision.
Advanced
5. After we have reviewed your manuscript, you receive a recording of your one-on-one call and an editorial report within 10-15 business days of our meeting.
Basic
$850 — Payment installments accepted: please email books@theawakenedpress.com if you need a payment plan
Advanced
If you’re not sure you’re ready yet to edit or publish your book, an editorial evaluation will help you understand the current state of your manuscript and which direction to go. An editorial evaluation answers questions such as:
“Is my book good enough to publish?”
“How much more work do I need to do to finish my book?”
“Do I need to completely revamp my book, work on certain sections, or tweak a few things?”