What kind of editor do you need?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Has a professional content editor already reviewed your manuscript? (i.e. reviewed the plot, structure, characterisation and other big picture issues)

  • A.
    Yes
  • B.
    No
• 2.
  Has a professional copy-editor already reviewed your manuscript? (i.e. reviewed the grammar, syntax, consistency, etc.)

  • A.
    Yes
  • B.
    No
• 3.
  Has a professional proofreader already reviewed your manuscript? (i.e. a final review for grammar, typos, and formatting errors, etc.)

  • A.
    Yes
  • B.
    No
• 4.
  Are you concerned about any of the following in your manuscript: plot, structure, characterisation, authenticity, pacing, dialogue, conflict, or suspense?

  • A.
    Yes
  • B.
    No
• 5.
  Are you concerned about any of the following in your manuscript: grammar, syntax, punctuation, consistency, logic?

  • A.
    Yes
  • B.
    No
• 6.
  Do you need someone to double check your manuscript for grammar, typos, and formatting before you send it for publication? 

  • A.
    Yes
  • B.
    No
• 7.
  If you had to choose one, what's your main priority for editing right now?

  • A.
    Big picture issues like plot, structure, and characterisation.
  • B.
    Grammar, syntax, consistency.
  • C.
    Double-checking for typos and formatting errors.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  A content editor

  Also known as structural editors or developmental editors, content editors focus on the big picture issues like plot, structure, and characterisation. At the chapter level, they'll also look at things like suspense, pacing, and dialogue. They'll comment on your writing quality and they'll probably point out any recurring grammar tics, but their main purpose is to ensure your overall story is compelling and coherent. Content editors are best used when you’ve finished self-editing and you want to know how the big picture elements can be improved before you move onto the next step.
• 2.
  A copy-editor

  Copy-editors review the micro-level elements of your writing, such as grammar, punctuation, and syntax. They’ll also look at consistency, spot obvious factual errors, and they'll tell you if certain sections are overwritten or don’t make sense. They’re not there to help with plot, characterisation, structure, or other macro-level issues, and they should only be used after the content edit is complete and you’ve made any subsequent revisions.
• 3.
  A proofreader

  A proofreader is there to give your novel a final check for grammar, punctuation, spelling, typos, and formatting errors before it’s published. They’re the last line of defence against small mistakes. Their job isn’t to help you with things like consistency and factual errors (although some might go the extra mile and do so), but rather to catch the smaller errors that may have eluded your copy-editor or made their way into the text after the copy-edit is complete.