Every great book is a collaboration between author and editor. Learn how to find the right editor, navigate the editorial process, and prepare your manuscript for professional feedback.
Not all editors are the same. Understanding the different types helps you hire the right professional at the right stage of your manuscript's development.
A developmental editor looks at the big picture: plot structure, character arcs, pacing, theme, and overall narrative effectiveness. They work on the manuscript at a structural level, often requesting major rewrites, scene additions or removals, and significant character development. This is the most expensive type of editing (€0.05–€0.15 per word) and should happen first — before line editing or copy editing. A good developmental editor can transform a messy first draft into a publishable manuscript.
Line editors focus on prose quality at the sentence and paragraph level. They improve word choice, sentence rhythm, clarity, and flow. A line editor doesn't restructure your plot but polishes your voice, cutting redundancies and sharpening imagery. This stage bridges the gap between structural content and surface-level correctness. Costs typically range from €0.02–€0.05 per word.
Copy editors catch errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency. They ensure dialogue punctuation is correct, character names are spelled consistently, and timeline details don't contradict each other. Copy editing is about accuracy and adherence to style guides (CMOS, AP, or house style). Expect to pay €0.01–€0.03 per word. Some editors combine line and copy editing into a single pass.
The proofreader is your last line of defence. They catch typos, formatting issues, and minor errors missed in earlier passes. Proofreading happens after the manuscript is formatted for publication. It's the cheapest editing service (€0.005–€0.015 per word) but absolutely essential. Never publish without a proofreader.
Scriptor's chapter status tracking is perfect for managing the editorial process. Mark each chapter as "First Draft," "Developmental Edit," "Line Edit," "Copy Edit," "Proofread," and "Final." Visual status indicators let you see your manuscript's progress at a glance.
Finding an editor who understands your genre and style is as important as finding the right literary agent. A mismatched editor can set your project back months.
Start with the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) directory, Reedsy's marketplace, or genre-specific organisations like the Romance Writers of America or Sisters in Crime. These platforms vet editors and provide sample edits. Ask fellow authors for recommendations — personal referrals are the most reliable source. Social media writing groups (see our writing groups guide) are excellent for finding editor recommendations.
Never hire an editor without a sample edit. Most editors will edit 500–1,000 words of your manuscript for a nominal fee or free. The sample reveals their editing style, how well they preserve your voice, and whether their suggestions resonate with you. Pay attention to the comments they leave — are they prescriptive ("change this to that") or collaborative ("have you considered...")? Choose the style that fits your personality.
Understanding the editorial workflow helps you prepare mentally and practically for the work ahead. Editing is rewriting — and that's normal.
Send your manuscript in a clean, standard format (double-spaced, 12pt, DOCX or PDF). Include a brief that covers your goals for the edit, any specific concerns, and your target audience. The more context your editor has, the more targeted their feedback will be. Scriptor exports clean DOCX files that editors can open directly in Word's Track Changes — no weird formatting, no lost italics, no font substitutions.
For developmental edits, you'll receive an editorial letter — a comprehensive document outlining strengths, weaknesses, and suggested changes. This may run 5–20 pages. Read it once without making notes, let it settle, then re-read and highlight actionable items. Don't implement everything immediately. Prioritise structural changes before prose-level tweaks.
Work through editorial feedback systematically. Tackle big-picture structural changes first: reorganising chapters, strengthening character arcs, fixing pacing. Then address scene-level issues. Finally, implement line-level suggestions. Scriptor's drag-and-drop chapter reordering makes restructuring effortless, and the character database helps you maintain consistency when revising complex character relationships. For more on managing your writing schedule during revisions, see our book launch plan for timeline guidance.
Before you send your manuscript to an editor, do a self-edit pass. It saves the editor time (and you money) and demonstrates professionalism.
Read your manuscript aloud or use text-to-speech to catch awkward phrasing. Run a spell-checker — not to replace editing but to remove obvious errors your editor shouldn't waste time on. Check for consistency in character names, physical descriptions, and timeline details. Our features page details how Scriptor's full-text search helps you find every mention of a character or location instantly.
Use a standard format: 12pt Times New Roman or equivalent, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, pages numbered, chapter titles consistent. Include a title page with your name, contact information, word count, and genre. Scriptor's export settings can be configured to these exact specifications — one click to produce a submission-ready manuscript.
When your editor returns the manuscript with Track Changes, use Scriptor's chapter status system to track which chapters have been reviewed and revised. Create a workflow: review editor comments, implement accepted changes in Scriptor, mark the chapter as revised, and move to the next. This systematic approach prevents you from missing critical feedback in the deluge of markup. Professional editing is your best investment as an author — make the most of it by being organised.
Scriptor keeps your manuscript organised through every stage — from first draft to editor-ready export. One payment, lifetime access.