Every author dreams of publishing a book that captivates readers. But without editing, even the best ideas can fall flat.

Think of an editor as the personal trainer for your manuscript. They whip your words into shape, catch mistakes you’ve missed, and make your story shine.

Whether you’re looking to fix pacing issues, polish your voice, improve readability or make sure the grammar is correct (and avoid those cringe-worthy typos that can ruin a reader’s experience), an editor’s insights are invaluable. Let’s see what  editors can do for you.

 

First – What are the Types of Editing Required On A Novel?

Editing a novel involves several stages. Each type of editing plays a crucial role in shaping your manuscript into a polished, professional book ready for readers:

• Self-editing is your first step: revising your work for clarity and flow and making your manuscript the best you can.
• Structural editing focuses on the ‘big picture’ view of your manuscript. The editor will work with you to enhance the narrative flow, improve character development, close plot holes, and help you maintain your unique voice. They will provide you with a series of recommendations which you can then consider and implement into a new draft.
• A line edit is where a (usually different) editor works through line by line on the new draft, looking for things like punctuation and spelling errors, and making recommended corrections. If there are any remaining plot or pacing issues (usually fairly minor after the structural edit) then the line editor will highlight these for you to consider as well.
• Proofreading is the last pass to reduce the potential of errors in the text, such as typos, grammar mistakes, and formatting errors before publishing. While it can never be 100% guaranteed that a typo or format error won’t slip through, a professional proofreader will reduce the risk as close to zero as possible.

 

Across 10 reasons below, we’ll look at what the two main types of editing – Structural and Line – involve.

1.  A Fresh, Objective Perspective

As the author, you’re often too close to your story to clearly see it. You know your characters, plot, and themes inside out, but that can make it hard to spot weaknesses.

A Structural Editor provides a fresh perspective and identifies issues like confusing plot points, inconsistent character arcs, or pacing problems that you might have missed.

This objective, unbiased feedback helps you strengthen your story and make it more engaging for readers.

This combination of reader insight and professional editing will give your manuscript the best chance of resonating with your audience.

 

2.  Expertise in Improving Story Structure

Your story’s structure is the backbone of your novel. Think of it as the skeleton where the plot and characters inter-connect. If the plot is inconsistent, or the characters don’t develop naturally, readers will lose interest.

A Structural Editor excels at identifying weaknesses in your story structure and will guide you in strengthening the foundation of your book. They can ensure your plot flows smoothly, your characters evolve, and your story keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

A solid outline will help you and your editor stay focused on what’s most important in shaping your story.

 

3.  Polishing Your Voice and Style

Your voice and style are what make your writing unique, but even the best writers need refinement.

A Structural Editor helps polish your voice without losing your individuality. They’ll work on your sentence structure, word choice, and tone, ensuring your writing is clear, engaging, and aligned with your genre and audience expectations.

Their input enhances your natural voice, making your narrative more compelling while ensuring it remains true to you.

4.  Ensuring Consistency Across the Manuscript

Inconsistencies can pull readers out of your story. Whether it’s a character’s name that changes midway or timeline issues, these small details matter. How many times have you stopped reading a book when you come across any of these issues?

You may overlook these, but a Structural Editor will catch these, as well as things like fluctuating tenses or uneven pacing. All of which can help your book stay cohesive and polished from start to finish.

This tool is especially helpful if you’re writing a series or working on a long manuscript with multiple moving parts.

 

5.  Expertise in Genre Expectations

Each genre has its own set of reader expectations. A romance novel needs emotional highs and lows, while a thriller thrives on tension and suspense.

An editor experienced in your genre knows these nuances and can help shape your book to meet them. They’ll guide you in hitting the right tone, pacing, and character development specific to your genre, ensuring your book resonates with your target audience.

6.  The Line Editor – Improving Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation

Even experienced writers make grammar and punctuation mistakes.

Once the Structural Editor has helped you make the book’s pacing, flow and structure work as well as possible, and you have incorporated their feedback into a new draft, the Line Editor takes over.

As another pair of eyes, a Line Editor meticulously reviews your manuscript, correcting grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and improper punctuation. These errors, if left unchecked, can distract readers and reduce the professionalism of your book.

7.  Enhancing Readability and Flow

Your manuscript’s readability is key to keeping readers engaged. Clunky sentences, awkward phrasing, or choppy transitions can disrupt the flow of your narrative.

A Line Editor helps smooth out these rough patches, ensuring your writing flows naturally from one scene or chapter to the next. By refining word choice and sentence structure, they can help make your story easier and more enjoyable to read.

 

8.  Preparing Your Manuscript for Publication

Whether you’re hybrid publishing, self-publishing or submitting to agents, a polished manuscript is essential. Both types of editor can help ensure your manuscript is polished and ready for publication – and more likely to catch the eye of agents, publishers and ultimately, readers.

If you’re submitting to agents, a structural editor can also help ensure your manuscript follows standard submission guidelines.

 

9.  Saving Time and Effort

Editing your book is time-consuming and mentally exhausting. By hiring a professional editor, you save valuable time and energy.

While self-editing is important, having experts handle the heavy lifting allows you to focus on other aspects of your writing journey, such as marketing or outlining your next project.

 

10.  Boosting Your Credibility and Professionalism

A well-edited book showcases your professionalism as an author.

Readers are more likely to trust and recommend a book that’s polished and error-free. Working with professional editors boosts your credibility, helping your book stand out in a crowded market and increasing your chances of success as an author.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Editor?

The cost of hiring a editors depends on the type of editing needed. At Winter & Drew, all our packages include editing. The Bronze package, aimed at authors who feel they don’t require a structural edit, has a line edit and a proofread, while the Silver, Gold, and Platinum packages include a structural edit, a line edit and proofreading.

Hiring a Book Editor is the Game-Changer Your Manuscript Needs

You’ve poured your heart and soul into your manuscript, and now you’re wondering if it’s worth handing it over to a book editor.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’ve come this far on my own; do I really need help?” It’s completely normal to feel hesitant. After all, your book is your baby, and the thought of someone else stepping in can feel daunting.

But here’s the truth: even the best athletes have coaches. You’re not giving up control. You’re gaining a powerful ally.

Don’t settle for “good enough.” If you’re serious about giving your readers the best version of your story, your editors are your secret weapon. They’ll take your work to heights you didn’t think possible.

You’ve already done the hard part; you’ve written the book. Now, take that next step and make it unforgettable.

Your readers deserve it, and so do you.