The Stages of Editing

Save on the Cost of Editing!

For the best value, complete a vigorous self-edit of your manuscript. Print it out, read it aloud to yourself, then to a friend—and then read it again. When you think you’ve caught every flaw, you’re ready to get a quote from an editor.

Who Needs an Editor?

Are you writing for family and friends, on a limited budget? Perhaps a writers’ group can provide the feedback you need? If there isn’t a group in your area, join one online. Check Writers’ Digest Magazine for listings for online writers’ groups (and for great articles). Or, call us at Scribes for a free quote on our all-in-one, fast-paced overview—available only for family history writers who plan a small edition.

Are you going to pitch your book to a publisher, or self-publish for retail sales? Professional editing will ensure your manuscript has a competitive edge in this tight marketplace. Friends can give you helpful commentary on an early draft, but thereafter you need an expert to ensure your book has a dynamic story structure and adheres to the thorny convolutions of grammar.

How Editing Works

Editing is an involved process, carried out in stages. It starts with substantive editing to address the big picture issues. Scribes editors will check for narrative flow, story structure and make sure you get your key points across in clear prose.

You’ll receive astute and responsive feedback. Brace yourself. You may discover  deep changes are needed—but the end result will be a manuscript that thrills your audience. That’s guaranteed!

With the structural issues addressed and the recommended changes made, you’re ready for line by line editing. At this stage your editor reviews every word, looking at grammar, sentence variation and subject transitions. Depending upon your expertise, we may combine the substantive and line by line edits into one process.

The next two stages—as you approach completion—are copy editing and proof reading. A copy editor gives your manuscript a last tidy up before it goes to the publication designer, after which the proof reader gives it a final work over, in search of those pesky typos that may have eluded your editors thus far.

The Scribes do not currently offer these final two stages of editing.