Line Edit

Sometimes called "stylistic editing," line editing focuses on line by line writing style, consistency, flow, readability, and quality. Editors ask with each sentence "does the author's voice/style come through?" and "why is this sentence necessary?" and "what is the most essential point of this sentence?" in order to help authors' writing to read efficiently and well so that readers are never yanked out of the book by a jarring inconsistency or poorly worded passage.

Includes style sheet.

While many editors and authors alike tend to treat these two phases of editing as the same thing, they are not. The highest quality of editors will generally keep these two separate in order to ensure that an author does not have to pay for the same service twice. For example, if a bit of line advice is given (add clause, thought, word, reply, sentence describing [...], etc.), and the author makes advised changes, they may still need the grammar or punctuation looked at after making (or "accepting") the change. However, once an editor finishes their pass of the manuscript, they will not likely go back and do a second pass without being paid again. Keeping them separate simply ensures that an editor can keep their brain in a particular lane as they read through and edit so that you get the highest quality of work from them consistently and also ensures that there aren't surprise costs when another round of editing becomes necessary.

Short answer: no.

Better answer: most do, yes.

Just think, you've been so zoned in on writing your book and getting the story down on paper, that things will be missed. They will in some places be repetitive. Things may be missing. Your style may fall flat on page 206. Thoughts might only be half finished in some areas. And yes, much of things will be fixed during your self-editing or developmental stages. However, you may think a particular thought, comment, or word necessary when you write—but a reader may think it superfluous or distracting. Line editors are specifically trained and looking for these, and many other, things so that they can help your story become a worth-while book.

Some editors include a style sheet with this stage of editing and some do not. Please ask your editor so that you know what to expect! However, bringing a style sheet to this stage , hopefully from a line editing phase, can benefit the editing quality by leaps and bounds. If you do not already have one from a prior editor, I suggest creating one to the best of your ability.

A style sheet is an additional document with which editors track several things regarding the story, including: synopsis, names, special vocabulary, timeline, setting, world-build related facts, and style-specific habits worthy of noting (such as how verbal versus text/sms dialogue is written).

If an author does not already have one for themselves, the editor may create one (or add to/edit the author's original to include editor's notes).

These things are great to keep track of for multiple reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that an editor does not correct something that the author does not want corrected (ie. they are keeping whatever it is, as is, on purpose). This is very helpful when it comes to names and other proper nouns and titles!

Second, a style sheet should always, if available, be sent with a manuscript for the proofread. Much like previously stated, it can keep confusion at bay. It will help professional readers to keep track of and make note of certain areas, words, or habits, that may be unintentional or ultimately harmful to a reader's enjoyment of the book.

And last, though certainly not least, it will be a massive help to the author and future editors for any subsequent books in a series or based in the same world or timeline.

Yes, there are writing programs and software in which an author may already store such notes. However, keeping it all on a separate, singular document WILL be useful, I promise.

1.) Example of an in-text suggestion:

Original: "Emiline wandered surefooted through the marketplace all the while watching out for the creature with a massive body and earthquaking growl that had been after her since middle school when her teacher had been found mauled to death."

Problems I notice: poorly structured, run-on sentence; too much information for one sentence.

Positives: author's style shows up in first quarter well and can be leveraged throughout.

Suggested in-text solution: "Emiline wandered surefooted through the marketplace, watching constantly for the creature around every corner and in every shadow. It had appeared in middle school—following the gruesome death of her homeroom teacher. Every day since, the massive creature haunted her with earth shuddering growls that no one else seemed to feel."

2.) Example of a comment in the margins:

"Wait, wasn't the wolf on the other side of the clearing? Instead of having him randomly appear on top of her, either show him moving in on her or convey her trepidation at seeing him come closer/prepare to pounce. Or skip seeing him at the other side of the clearing entirely and have him jump her just after the hairs on the back of her neck begin to prickle and she turns around."

3.) Example of a simpler comment, used when a solution is not immediately apparent to me (usually because something doesn't make sense):

"Lacks clarity - what is the point of this sentence? What are you trying to convey in this paragraph/passage? Remove, reword, or discuss with me so that I can help you figure out what to do."

Most corrections will occur in-line (to the text itself), but track changes will always be enabled so that the author can see what changes have been made and approve or disapprove of any suggestions. Many comments and potential questions will be written in the margins, especially if the editor sees an error repeatedly or if the editor is suggesting something which may impact the style or meaning of the passage.

IN GENERAL, most line editors—including myself, can reasonably edit 2-5 pages an hour. Sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the genre, gravity of the material, and density of work necessary.

This means, that for an editor who has ~20 hours/week available to edit your book, for an 80k word book, it will take 4-8 weeks to receive your completed edit from the time work begins on it (not necessarily from the time a contract is signed). Timeline will be discussed during your free consultation.

See more about how I determine overall cost and what your options may be by clicking on the “price and contract guide” in my website footer, and/or by discussing my process and your desires with me during your discovery call. My extremely detailed price, contract, and timeline guide will also be made available alongside the final contract so that you have all the details you desire prior to beginning work with me.

Short answer: no.

Better answer: No, but some editors may add some formatting, depending on the editing phase, but most will do no more than add paragraph indentations, chapter numbers/titles, or add page numbers. These will be purely for their own ease of movement within and editing of the document. These changes are generally made with “track changes” on, so that they can be undone if the author prefers. However, unless an editor is being specifically hired to format a document, they will do no more than what is necessary for them to edit to the best of their ability.

Formatting is a separate phase of the editing/publishing process and some editors offer special packages just for formatting. If you need recommendations, I may be able to help!