Editing Children's Books (Everything You Need to Know!)

Summary

The video covers the four essential types of editing that every manuscript requires: self-editing, developmental editing, line editing, and proofreading. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these stages to avoid paying for unnecessary services or missing crucial edits. Self-editing involves multiple careful reviews, developmental editing focuses on big-picture elements like plot and pacing, line editing polishes sentence structure, and proofreading ensures grammar and punctuation accuracy. The speaker also highlights the differences in the editing process for self-publishing versus traditional publishing.

Takeaways

• ✍️ There are four essential types of editing for every manuscript: self-editing, developmental editing, line editing, and proofreading.
• 🚫 Never send a rough draft to an editor; self-editing is crucial before engaging an editor.
• 👂 Reading your manuscript aloud and using basic editing tools like Grammarly can help catch errors during self-editing.
• 🔍 Developmental editing focuses on big-picture aspects such as plot, theme, pacing, and character development.
• 🤝 Developmental editing requires an external perspective and might need multiple rounds to address major structural changes.
• 📝 Line editing refines sentence structure, flow, and readability, zooming in on each sentence and paragraph.
• 🔄 Line editing often overlaps with developmental editing or proofreading, and some editors combine both services.
• 🔎 Proofreading focuses on correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation, usually done by a separate editor for a fresh perspective.
• 🏠 Each editing stage can be compared to constructing a house, from blueprinting (self-editing) to finishing touches (proofreading).
• 📚 Self-publishing authors are responsible for hiring all editors, whereas traditional publishing often provides editorial support.

Q & A

What are the four types of editing that every manuscript needs?

The four types of editing are self-editing, developmental editing, line editing, and proofreading.

Why is self-editing important before sending a manuscript to an editor?

Self-editing is important because it allows the author to refine their work and catch obvious issues before an editor reviews it. It ensures that the manuscript represents the author's best effort, making the editor's job more effective.

What is developmental editing and what aspects does it focus on?

Developmental editing focuses on improving the big picture elements of a manuscript, such as plot, theme, pacing, and character development. It involves making structural changes rather than focusing on sentence-level issues like grammar or punctuation.

Why is it necessary to have a developmental editor, and why can't authors do this themselves?

A developmental editor provides an outside perspective, which is essential because authors are often too close to their work to see major issues. This fresh viewpoint helps identify structural problems that the author may miss.

How does line editing differ from developmental editing?

Line editing focuses on sentence structure, flow, and readability, zooming in on each sentence and paragraph. In contrast, developmental editing addresses the broader elements of the story like plot and character arcs.

Is line editing often combined with other types of editing?

Yes, line editing is often combined with either developmental editing or proofreading because it naturally overlaps with both. Some editors handle both developmental and line editing simultaneously.

What role does proofreading play in the editing process?

Proofreading is the final step in the editing process, focusing on correcting errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. It's a detailed check to ensure the manuscript is as error-free as possible.

What is a common mistake made by first-time authors during the self-editing phase?

A common mistake made by first-time authors is not spending enough time on self-editing or sending a rough draft to an editor too soon without carefully reviewing it themselves.

Why is it beneficial to hire different editors for different stages of editing?

Different stages of editing require specific skill sets, and having fresh eyes on the manuscript helps catch different types of issues. For example, a developmental editor may help with big-picture changes, while a proofreader focuses solely on grammar and punctuation.

What is the key difference between editing for self-publishing and traditional publishing?

For self-publishing, the author is responsible for hiring all the different types of editors. In traditional publishing, the agent or publisher may take on some of the developmental editing responsibilities, reducing the author's need to handle every stage independently.