Substantive Editing Processes

If you are new to writing and interested in publishing but not sure about the steps after the "getting words on the page" part, this post is for you. 👋 From a freelance book editor and proofreader to folks dreaming of their future published book— Q: I've finished my first draft. What do I do?   1) Set it aside. 2) Come back to it with fresh eyes and with some guidance—a writing craft book, a course, a friendly critique group or writer friends' suggestions—start revising.   Q: What's the difference between revising and self-editing? I've heard both terms.   Revising is when you make substantial changes to your book (plot, character development, organization, world-building, etc.). Self-editing is the process of polishing the book (focusing on grammar, spelling, and making smaller, sentence-level changes). Both can be done by an author to their own book. For revising, an outside perspective can be a helpful guide (friends, writing groups, family, beta readers, etc.). For self-editing you might use software or other tools to help you clean up the book.   Q: How much should I revise, or how many drafts of my book should I write, before I hire an editor?   This is different for each writer because each writer will develop their own process for writing and revising. If you want early feedback, via developmental editing or a manuscript review, then you might only need a first or second draft. Some dev editors will even look at partial drafts.   If you want your sentences restructured or rearranged, word choice enhanced/checked, suggestions for tightening sentences, increasing flow, checking transitions, and more, then you'll want to make sure that the big changes are out of the way and finalized (as much as possible). That might take three drafts or it might take six drafts . . . or more (there's no "correct number" on this one).   Q: What should I share with an editor when I reach out?   Word count, genre, a summary of the book, what you've already done to improve the book—how many drafts you've written, what kind of feedback you've received, etc.—and your goals (How do you want to publish?). It also helps if you give the editor an idea of what you'd like done Some questions to consider: Do you want structural feedback, reader-style reaction feedback, both?; Are you ready for them to mess with sentence structure or word choice?; Or do you just need a final clean-up of the doc (aka proofreading, which means you are imminently publishing or submitting to agents/publishers)? Some editors and publishing folks may have different suggestions for these steps. There isn't a one-size-fits-all way to go about writing, revising, and publishing, but if you're staring at "The End" and wondering what to do next, hopefully these considerations will help move you in the right direction. --- I'm Sarah, a fiction book editor and proofreader. I post twice a month about publishing and editing topics inspired by my work with publishing houses and indie authors. 📚✍️

8 things that I do to edit my research manuscripts as an award-winning researcher: ✅ CARVE OUT SHORT PERIODS FOR EDITING Good editing requires focused energy. It’s helpful to edit over multiple, short periods to maintain focus. So, find 30 to 60-minute periods in your day that you can dedicate to the editing process. Once this time is over, stop and schedule another editing phase for a later date. ✅ PRINT OUT A PHYSICAL COPY OF THE MANUSCRIPT Reduce distractions in the editing phase by having a physical copy of the manuscript. Doing so helps to increase focus on the content by limiting computer interruptions. An alternative is to edit the manuscript on a tablet. Either way, making physical edits with a pen and paper can be beneficial. ✅ READ YOUR WRITING OUT LOUD You can hear bad grammar or awkward phrasing easier than you can see it. Additionally, if you find yourself running out of breath while reading a sentence, it may be that it’s a run-on. This simple step will help you to understand how your audience will perceive and interpret your writing. ✅ FOCUS ON ONE LINE AT A TIME Treat each sentence as a standalone piece of the editing phase. Avoid glossing over your writing by highlighting each sentence or using a sheet of paper to cover the sentences below. It’s all about focus, so do whatever you need to concentrate on each sentence. ✅ COMPARTMENTALIZE DIFFERENT EDITING PHASES You can edit a paper for (a) structure and format; (b) narrative flow; (c) grammar and spelling; and (d) writing style. It’s difficult to edit for each type all at once, so do each one separately. ✅ FIND GOOD READERS TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK It’s difficult to edit your work with complete objectivity. So, find trusted advisors and colleagues who can provide you with critical feedback to improve your manuscript. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, others will need readers too. ✅ REALIZE THAT EDITING IS AN ITERATIVE PROCESS The editing process is not something that is done once. You have to edit your research proposal, outline, and each section of your manuscript multiple times. Every time that you do so, ask yourself, “How can I make this 10% better?” 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAY Editing is a key step in the research process. It helps to make sure that your findings and implications are communicated clearly to your readers. So, take the time to go over your work carefully using the strategies shared above. P.S. Do you like to edit your manuscripts electronically or on paper? I like paper, but maybe I'm just old school. ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this. I write about graduate school and professional development issues for PhD students. My mission is to unveil the hidden PhD curriculum to all, not just the privileged few. Learn the strategies I used to go from being rejected by nearly every PhD program to: ✅ obtaining a top-notch industry job ✅ landing a tenure-track faculty position ✅ becoming an award-winning researcher

Most "editing advice" over the internet is s**t You've heard it all before: "Take a break and then edit your content."  "Read your content out loud." "View it on a different device." Sure, those tips are good to start with but not to live with! Here is my 3-part editing process that covers everything you need to know - 1) Developmental editing 2) Copy editing   3) Proofreading I tackle them in that order - big picture stuff first, then zeroing in on the details. For the developmental edit, I evaluate: • Does this really answer what the reader wants to know?  • Does it accurately reflect my perspective/stance? • Are all the key points and arguments fully fleshed out? • Is the narrative structure and flow logical? • Is this catering to the right knowledge level? Then I move into copy editing mode to smooth out: • Paragraph transitions and flow • Use of active vs. passive voice • Removing redundancies  • Ensuring I've explained the "why" behind the "what" • Adding clear takeaways throughout Finally, I proofread with a picky eye for: • Spelling, grammar, awkward phrasing • Proper spacing and formatting of the posts The editor's mindset is moving from "this is good for the readers mostly" to "what's missing?" Following these 3 editing stages helps me catch all the big issues and polish the finer points. What does your editing process look like? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks!

I’ve always admired those who make editing look easy. For me, editing is more of an art than a task. It’s about diving deep into words and transforming them into something clear and impactful. But, like every art, it has a process—a simple three-step journey I follow for each draft. 📍Step 1: Structural Editing This is where the groundwork begins. I start by dissecting the content and ensuring every piece fits the bigger picture. Here’s what happens: - Check the flow and logical sequence of ideas. - Align the tone to fit the target audience. - Ensure the message has clarity and coherence. At this stage, I usually ask myself, “Is this clear? Is it connecting?” Sometimes, the answer is no. And that’s okay. That’s what editing is for. 📍Step 2: Copy Editing Now, we get into the finer details. This is where precision becomes everything. Here’s what I focus on: - Correct grammatical errors, punctuation, and sentence structure. - Refine language for simplicity and readability. - Maintain a consistent style throughout the piece. To me, editing isn’t just about making sentences correct. It’s about making them #feel right. This step is all about precision and making sure the words flow effortlessly. 📍Step 3: Proofreading This is the final touch—where the magic happens. By now, the draft should feel polished, but I still read it word by word. In this stage, I look out for: - Minor typos and formatting errors. - Small inconsistencies in spelling and punctuation. - Visual appeal and readability of the document. After finishing this, I take a step back. I ask myself, “Does it resonate? Is the impact clear?” When the answer is yes, I know I’ve done my job right. ~ Why I Love This Process Some might see editing as tedious. For me, it’s therapeutic. There’s a sense of fulfillment in refining ideas and making them shine. I’ve been doing this for a while now, and every draft still teaches me something new. ===== ~ Here’s a truth I’ve learned: Editing isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating clarity and connection. Sometimes, that means completely reworking a piece. Other times, it means just a few tweaks. It’s a journey, not a destination. ===== 📍PS: What challenges do you face when editing your social media post, content write-up or project? Kindly repost ♻️ to share knowledge 🤍