The Complete Guide to Editing a Novel: Developmental, Line, Copy, and More Explained
What Authors Need to Know About the Editing Process
When you’ve spent hours writing a novel, you might begin wondering what kind of editing do I actually need? Editing isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. There are different levels and types of editing, each designed to address specific aspects of your manuscript. Knowing the differences and the right order to approach them can save you time, money, and frustration.
I focus on developmental editing, manuscript assessments, and outline reviews, but I’ll walk you through all the major editing types so you understand how they fit together.
Outline Review: Catch Problems Before You Draft
An outline review happens before you draft or revise a manuscript. An editor looks at your outline or synopsis and helps you identify potential weak spots in plot or character arcs before you invest time in writing.
This is particularly helpful if you’re in the planning stage and want to build confidence that your story structure will hold up once you start drafting.
Developmental Editing: Strengthening Story and Structure
This is the big-picture edit. A developmental edit looks at story structure, plot, pacing, character arcs, themes, and how everything connects across your manuscript. If your novel feels “off” but you can’t pinpoint why, this is the stage that untangles it.
Think of it as the blueprint stage—making sure the foundation of your novel is solid before you worry about the paint on the walls.
Manuscript Assessment: Big-Picture Feedback Without Margin Notes
A manuscript assessment is a high-level analysis of your story without detailed margin comments on every page. Instead, you receive a comprehensive letter that highlights what’s working and what needs attention: pacing, plot holes, character consistency, or structural issues.
It’s an affordable option if you want a professional’s overview before diving into revisions yourself. Many writers use this as a checkpoint before committing to a deeper developmental edit.
Line Editing vs. Copyediting: What’s the Difference?
Line Editing: Polishing Voice, Style, and Flow
Line editing is about the artistry of your prose—rhythm, tone, word choice, and flow. Where copyediting checks for correctness, line editing checks how powerful your prose is.
For example, a line editor might suggest tightening a long-winded description into something sharper, or reworking a sentence so that it packs more of an emotional punch.
Copyediting: Grammar, Consistency, and Clarity
Copyediting zooms in on the sentence and paragraph level. It focuses on grammar, spelling, punctuation, consistency, clarity, and style. A copyeditor makes sure your voice is polished, your details are consistent (is it blue eyes or green?), and your prose reads smoothly.
This step comes after the big-picture revisions are complete, so you’re not polishing words in scenes that might later get cut.
Proofreading: The Final Quality Check Before Publication
Proofreading is the final pass before publication. It’s the last safeguard against typos, formatting errors, or lingering grammar slips. Proofreaders catch those sneaky mistakes that slip through every other stage.
It’s not a substitute for copyediting or line editing—it’s the polish after all the other editing work is done. It’s important that you save this step for last, and don’t combine it with a higher-level edit like a developmental edit. Why is this? You wouldn’t want to spend money on an editor to fix typos and small issues only to find in the developmental edit that you need to cut the entire scene.
Beta Reading: Getting Feedback From Readers
Beta readers are usually volunteers, such friends, critique partners, or early fans, who read your manuscript and give feedback from a reader’s perspective. They aren’t editors, but their reactions can highlight where readers might get bored, confused, or excited.
Beta reading is best used before professional editing, as it can show you what’s working with your target audience.
Sensitivity Reading: Ensuring Accuracy and Respect in Representation
A sensitivity read is when someone with lived experience reviews your manuscript for harmful stereotypes, inaccuracies, or representation issues. This is especially important if you’re writing outside your own background or culture.
Which Type of Editing Comes First?
Here’s the recommended order most manuscripts follow:
Outline review – Optional, if you want feedback before or during drafting.
Manuscript assessment – Broad feedback on strengths and weaknesses.
Developmental editing – Deep dive into story structure and revisions.
Beta reading – To see how readers connect with your revised draft.
Line editing – Polishing your prose and style.
Copyediting – Ensuring grammar, consistency, and correctness.
Proofreading – Final check before publication.
Why I Focus on Developmental Editing, Outline Reviews, and Manuscript Assessments
I get so excited for the beginning of this process—developmental editing, manuscript assessments, and outline reviews. I help authors make sure their story foundations are strong before they invest in polishing. That means:
Building confidence in your plot and character arcs.
Identifying areas where pacing, stakes, or emotional resonance could be strengthened.
Helping you clarify what’s working so you don’t waste time revising what doesn’t need fixing.
By the time you reach line editing or copyediting, you’ll have no doubts that your story works.
Choosing the Right Editing Path for Your Novel
Editing is a layered process, and every layer matters. Skipping developmental work in favor of proofreading is like icing a cake that hasn’t baked all the way through. But when you take it step by step, you’ll end up with a manuscript that’s structurally sound, beautifully written, and ready for readers.
If you’re at the stage where you’re unsure whether your story works on a big-picture level—or you want an expert’s eyes on your outline before you draft—I’d love to help.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re looking for clarity on your story and want to make sure your manuscript has a strong foundation, I’d love to work with you. Whether you need a quick outline review, a manuscript assessment, or a full developmental edit, I’ll help you identify what’s working, what needs refining, and how to move forward with confidence. Editing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—you don’t have to do it alone.
Email me at hello@carlybecker.xyz to talk about your project and see which editing path makes the most sense for you.
