Our Book Editing Process — What to Expect
A friendly walk-through of how we edit your manuscript: which editing tier you actually need (developmental, line, copy, or proofread), how the editor-author conversation works, and exactly what's included in each pass.
Editing isn't one thing — it's four. Different stages of an edit fix different problems, and the most expensive mistake authors make is paying for line-level polish on a draft that still needs structural work. This page walks you through the four editing tiers, how to pick the right one for your manuscript, and exactly how the project runs from brief to final delivery — so there are no surprises and you don't pay twice.
1Before You Order: Are You at the Right Stage?
The most common, and most expensive, editing mistake is hiring the wrong tier. A proofread on a draft that still has plot holes won't help. A developmental edit on a polished manuscript is overkill. Knowing which tier your manuscript actually needs is the single biggest decision you'll make about editing — make it before you order, not after.
💡 Pro Tips
- If you've never had editorial feedback, your manuscript probably needs developmental work first
- If readers tell you the writing 'feels off' but the story works, that's line editing
- If the structure is solid and the prose is clean but typos and consistency are an issue, that's copy editing or proofreading
- If you're not sure, run the free Manuscript Readiness Checker — it gives an objective verdict in under 60 seconds
⚠️ Important
- Don't skip the developmental stage and hope a copy editor will catch big issues — they won't, and you'll pay for the wrong service
- Don't pay for a copy edit on a draft you plan to keep rewriting — you'll pay again after revisions
- Tracked changes from previous edits should be accepted or rejected before sending us a new pass
Not sure which editing tier you need?
Upload your DOCX to our free Manuscript Readiness Checker. It scores your manuscript across seven signals (typo density, sentence variance, structural cues, consistency, unfinished markers, paragraph flow, dialect mixing) and tells you whether you're ready for formatting, ready for proofreading, or which deeper edit (developmental, line, or copy) to tackle first. Free verdict; £4.99 if you want the full AI-augmented report.
2The 4 Editing Tiers — and Why the Order Matters
The editing sequence — developmental → line → copy → proofread — exists because each stage assumes the previous ones are done. Doing them out of order means polishing prose that may get cut, or fixing typos in a paragraph that's about to be rewritten. Cheapest manuscripts get all four passes; most authors do one or two.
Developmental edit — structure and story
The biggest, deepest pass. Pacing, plot logic, character arcs, scene order, argument coherence (for non-fiction). The editor reads as a critical reader and an architect. Output: a substantive editorial letter plus inline notes. Authors usually do meaningful rewriting after this.
Line edit — prose at the paragraph level
Sentence rhythm, paragraph flow, word choice, voice consistency, clarity. Doesn't change WHAT you said but improves HOW you said it. The biggest reader-facing improvement on most manuscripts that already have a solid structure.
Copy edit — mechanics and consistency
Grammar, syntax, punctuation, capitalisation, hyphenation, name spellings, dialect consistency, style-sheet adherence. Surface-level but high-volume — a good copy editor catches hundreds of small issues you'll never spot yourself.
Proofread — final clean pass
The last set of fresh eyes before publication. Catches what slipped through every previous pass. Should happen on a typeset/formatted version when possible (real readers see the final layout, so should the proofreader).
💡 Pro Tips
- Most independent authors invest in 2 of the 4 tiers — typically copy + proofread, or line + proofread
- First-time authors and serious fiction projects benefit most from a developmental pass
- Non-fiction authors with solid outlines often skip developmental and go straight to copy editing
3How the Project Runs — Step by Step
Every editing project follows the same five-step rhythm regardless of tier. The depth of each step varies (a developmental edit's 'first pass' is six weeks of reading; a proofread is a few days), but the shape is identical. Here's what to expect end-to-end.
You complete the editing intake form
After you order, we send a short guided form: manuscript file, genre, target audience, voice/style preferences, any non-negotiables (British vs American spelling, Oxford comma, etc.), and the deadline you're aiming for. Takes about 10 minutes.
We do the first pass
Your editor reads the entire manuscript and applies the depth of edit you've ordered. Inline edits via tracked changes in Word, plus comment bubbles for queries and suggestions. Developmental edits also include a separate editorial letter with structural feedback.
You review and respond to queries
You receive the edited manuscript with all changes tracked. Accept what works, reject what doesn't, and answer the editor's questions in the comment bubbles. This is the moment to push back on anything that feels off — it's a conversation, not a verdict.
We do a second pass on your responses
Your editor reviews your responses, applies any further refinements, and resolves remaining queries. Most package tiers include this second pass; developmental edits often include a third sweep depending on how much restructuring you did.
We deliver the final manuscript
Clean Word document, all tracked changes accepted (or with a separate version showing the diff if you want to study it). Plus a style sheet documenting the choices made (character names, locations, idiosyncratic spellings, hyphenation rules) — useful for future books in a series.
4What Each Editing Pass Actually Touches
A common source of confusion: what does 'a copy edit' actually fix vs. 'a line edit'? Here's the no-overlap definition we use, so you know exactly what's in scope.
💡 Pro Tips
- Proofread: typos, missed punctuation, dropped words, double spaces, inconsistent capitalisation. Surface only.
- Copy edit: above + grammar, syntax, name spellings, dialect mixing, style-sheet adherence (Oxford comma, en/em-dash usage, italicisation rules).
- Line edit: above + sentence rhythm, paragraph flow, word choice, redundancy, voice clarity. Does NOT rewrite at the structure level.
- Developmental edit: above + plot/argument structure, pacing, scene order, character motivation, chapter-level critique. The biggest pass.
⚠️ Important
- If the editor flags something they think needs structural work and you've only paid for a copy edit, they'll tell you — they won't quietly fix it (because copy editing on broken structure is wasted work)
- Cross-tier overlap exists: a copy editor will catch obvious typos a proofreader would; a line editor catches mechanical issues. But you can't expect a proofread to catch sentence-rhythm problems.
5What We Need From You
Our intake form asks for all of this in a guided flow — you don't need to write a brief from scratch. Have these ready before you open the form.
Final-ish manuscript (.docx preferred)
One clean file. Tracked changes from previous edits accepted or rejected. If you're still actively rewriting, finish that first — re-edits cost more than getting it right.
Genre and target reader
Your editor will read with that audience in mind. 'Cozy romance for women 40+' is more useful than 'fiction'.
Voice and style preferences
British or American spelling? Oxford comma yes/no? Sentence-case or title-case chapter headings? Anything you feel strongly about — we'll mirror it.
Non-negotiables and known quirks
Character names you've deliberately spelled an unusual way, dialect choices, time-period vocabulary, intentional rule-breaking. Tell us so we don't 'fix' it.
Deadline (real one, not aspirational)
We'll be honest if your timeline is too tight for the depth of edit you've ordered. Rush turnaround is available as an add-on.
6How We Talk to You During the Edit (Author Queries)
Editing is a conversation, not a verdict. Throughout the manuscript you'll see comment bubbles where the editor is asking questions, suggesting alternatives, or flagging things that need an authorial decision. How you respond to these queries is more important than how you respond to the tracked-change suggestions.
💡 Pro Tips
- Read every comment before you accept any tracked change — context often lives in the queries
- If you disagree, write a one-line response in the comment. The editor needs to know your reasoning so the second pass respects it.
- Queries that ask 'is this name spelt right?' or 'is this dialect intentional?' need real answers, not silence — silence creates inconsistencies in the second pass
- Don't take queries personally. The editor's job is to ask the questions a fresh reader would ask.
⚠️ Important
- Returning a manuscript with no responses to queries means we make our best guess — and you may not like the result
- If you want to change your style mid-edit (e.g. switch from American to British spelling), tell us in the response — don't silently start editing that way
7Revisions Policy
Every editing package includes a defined number of passes. Refinements within those passes are included; a fresh pass on rewritten content is a separate engagement.
💡 Pro Tips
- Fresh Eyes (proofread) — 1 revision round included
- Deep Clean (proofread + edit) — 2 revision rounds included
- Full Makeover (copy edit) — 2 revision rounds included
- Developmental edits — typically 2 passes (the big read + the response review); custom-quoted
⚠️ Important
- Additional revision rounds beyond the included ones are £15 / $19.99 each
- Substantial rewrites (more than ~10% of the manuscript changed between passes) trigger a re-edit quote rather than a 'revision' — the editor needs to read fresh material, which is a fresh edit
- If you decide mid-project that you need a different tier (e.g. you ordered copy editing and the editor flags structural issues), we'll quote the upgrade and apply credit from work already done
8Turnaround Expectations
Timelines vary by tier and word count, but the rhythm is roughly: proofread in 5–7 business days, copy/line edit in 2–3 weeks, developmental in 4–8 weeks. These are first-pass times — the second pass after your responses adds another 5–10 business days depending on the depth of your changes.
💡 Pro Tips
- Need it faster? Ask about Rush turnaround at intake — available on most tiers
- Holidays and weekends don't count toward our working-day estimates
- The variable is you — if it takes you a month to respond to queries, the second pass is a month later. Plan time for the back-and-forth.
9A Small Note on Collaboration
The best editing projects are genuine collaborations. Your editor brings craft and a fresh reader's eye; you bring authorial intent and the deepest knowledge of the book. The editor's job is to ask better questions than you've asked yourself, then help you answer them. Trust the process — and push back when something feels wrong. We'd rather have the conversation than ship a manuscript you don't believe in.
Ready to commission your edit?
If you know which tier you need, pick a package and we'll get your editor briefed within 24 hours. If you're still unsure whether your manuscript needs a developmental pass first or you're ready for a copy edit, run the free readiness check — under 60 seconds, no card required.
Common Questions
Do I need a developmental, line, or copy edit?
It depends on what stage your manuscript is at. If you've never had editorial feedback or readers tell you the story 'doesn't quite work', you need a developmental edit first — that addresses structure, pacing, and character/argument arcs. If the structure is solid but the prose feels uneven, that's a line edit. If the writing reads well but you're worried about typos, grammar, and consistency, that's a copy edit. The free Manuscript Readiness Checker analyses your DOCX and gives you an objective verdict in under 60 seconds — that's the most reliable way to pick the right tier.
How long does each editing tier take?
Approximate first-pass turnaround: proofreading 5–7 business days, copy editing 2–3 weeks, line editing 2–4 weeks, developmental editing 4–8 weeks. These scale with word count — a 30k-word manuscript is faster than 80k. The second pass after your responses adds another 5–10 business days. The most variable part is you: if it takes a month to respond to queries, delivery slips by a month. Rush turnaround is available on most tiers as an add-on.
What if I disagree with my editor's recommendations?
Push back — that's the whole point of the queries. Reject the tracked change and write a comment explaining your reasoning. The editor will read your responses on the second pass and either agree, suggest an alternative, or flag if the disagreement reveals a deeper issue worth discussing. Editing is a conversation; the editor's job is to ask the questions a fresh reader would ask, not to dictate. About 70% of suggested changes get accepted on average; the other 30% are where the manuscript actually gets sharper.
Can I see a sample edit before committing to a full project?
Yes — for line editing and developmental editing we offer a paid sample edit (typically the first 1,000–2,000 words) so you can see the editor's voice and how the queries will read before you commit to the full edit. The sample edit fee is credited against your full-edit invoice if you proceed. For proofreading and copy editing the sample step is usually skipped because the work is more standardised.
Do you edit in Word with track changes, or another tool?
Word with tracked changes and comments — that's the standard for almost every book editor and the format virtually all authors are comfortable working in. We can also work in Google Docs if you prefer, but Word is faster for both sides because the comment-and-change model is more mature there. We do NOT use a proprietary editing platform that locks your files in.
What if I need a partial re-edit after revisions?
If you've made substantial changes to a portion of the manuscript (a new chapter, a heavily restructured section), we can quote a partial re-edit at our standard per-word rate for the changed material. Small refinements within the included revision rounds are free; substantial rewrites are scoped separately. The honest rule of thumb: if more than ~10% of the manuscript changed between passes, that's a re-edit not a revision.
Ready to get started? Head to our Editing service page to pick a tier — Fresh Eyes (proofread), Deep Clean (proofread + edit), or Full Makeover (copy edit) — or contact us for a developmental quote. Still figuring out which tier? Run the free readiness check first; it'll save you both time and money on the wrong service.
What's your next move?
If you know which editing tier you need, pick a package and we'll have your editor briefed within 24 hours. If you're still unsure whether you need a developmental edit, line edit, or copy edit first, run the free readiness check — it gives you an objective verdict in under 60 seconds.
Or contact support if you have questions before ordering.
Free Tools
Manuscript Readiness Checker
Free verdict on which editing tier (developmental, line, copy, or proofread) your manuscript actually needs. Under 60 seconds.
Readability Checker
Score your prose on Flesch reading ease and grade level. Useful before requesting a line or copy edit.
Word Count Calculator
Confirm your manuscript word count to pick the right editing tier and get an accurate quote.