A simple explainer to help you work out if a line and copyedit is what your novel needs now.
So, you’ve written a novel. Now what?
You might be thinking about starting the editing process, and perhaps you’re keen to work with a professional editor. That’s an excellent decision (wink!) but before you go ahead and book in your manuscript, it’s important to check if you’re ready for that kind of editing.
What is a line and copyedit?
When people think of editing, the line and copyedit is probably closest to what they imagine.
A line and copyedit service involves a professional editor going through your work one sentence at a time. They’ll focus on grammar, punctuation and spelling, yes, but they’ll also finetune your sentences for flow, make adjustments to heighten tension or suggest changes to enhance character. They’ll ensure your book adheres to a consistent style and they’ll track details such as characters’ appearance or movements so that your scenes make sense. No coffee cups that magically morph into glasses of water; no Matthews turning into Michaels halfway through.
It’s labour-intensive, detailed work that can take your book from good to great. But if you’re just getting started on redrafting and editing your novel, I’ll be honest: it’s unlikely you’re ready for this service. Going too early on a line and copyedit is like plastering over cracks in your home instead of spending the time getting the foundations right.
Here are four signs that I look for that tell me you’re ready for this detailed form of editing.
1 Your manuscript is structurally sound
If you’ve already taken steps to ensure your manuscript is structurally sound – whether that’s working with an editor on a full structural edit or manuscript assessment, engaging professional beta readers or participating in an editing course like this one – that’s a great sign.
After taking in this feedback, you will have done significant work on your novel to make sure that the character arcs are strong and complete, the pace, POV and story structure are working for you and there are no glaring plot holes. You should be feeling confident about your overall narrative.
A line and copyeditor will address small plot holes such as timeline hiccups or minor instances of head hopping, but they’re not able to resolve your big-picture issues at this stage. That’s because those overarching elements like plot, theme, character journeys, setting and POV can affect so many different threads of your book and issues with these will likely require significant rewriting.
2 You’re ready to embrace feedback
In a line and copyedit, your editor will suggest changes to sharpen and elevate your writing. It’s not just about spotting typos!
Are you open to this kind of feedback? As an editor I take great care to ensure my feedback is sensitive and considerate, but if you’re not expecting this level of engagement with your work, it might come as a shock. Perhaps you’re too close to it – consider putting your manuscript aside for a while so you can get some distance and come back to it with a fresh perspective.
One way you might be able to check if you’re ready to embrace this kind of feedback is to book in for a sample edit with your chosen editor. This will show you the kinds of issues your editor is likely to pick up and their style in relaying it to you, so you know what to expect. You might even find yourself looking forward to the process!
3 You’ve done as much as you can
Think of this one as cleaning up for the cleaner. You can save yourself some coin if you do your own polishing on your manuscript before you send it out for a line and copyedit.
This means spending time on self-editing – reading over dialogue and sharpening up those action beats and speech tags, looking out for filter words or common phrases you use over and over, cutting back long descriptive passages that don’t move the story forward, and as obvious as it may sound, doing a basic spellcheck! Try doing two to three passes over your manuscript, focusing on tightening it up.
Ideally, you’ll also format your file with double line spacing, indented paragraphs and page breaks for new chapters.
4 You’re going around in circles
Constantly googling grammar questions and wondering why the answers are clear as mud?
If you feel like you’re going around in circles and not getting anywhere, or making minor changes just for the sake of it, that’s a key sign you’re ready to hand your book baby over to a professional. You don’t have to do this writing thing on your own!
A line and copyedit can be your saving grace, offering clear, sensible changes and suggestions that will elevate your story. Even better, while your manuscript is out for editing, you open up mental space for your next great book idea.
It sounds like a lot of work…
I hear you – why put in all this effort when it’s going to be edited anyway? Well, the more work you do beforehand, the better shape it will be in for your editor, which equals a less expensive quote!
It also means that when your edited manuscript returns to you, it won’t be so littered with red mark-up that you immediately freak out. Instead, you’ll be able to concentrate on those helpful suggestions that enhance your writing and make it shine, rather than getting bogged down in the small stuff.
Plus, the more you polish, the more you’ll learn about writing craft, making you a better, more confident writer.
Reckon you tick these boxes? Check out my line and copyediting services or contact me for a sample edit.