This is a great question.

With so many types of editing out there, how is a writer to know what type they need?

There’s no simple answer to this. The type of editing you need is as unique as the story you’ve written. That said, a great starting point for new authors is a Developmental Edit.

Developmental editing is a style of editing that looks at the story as a whole and addresses items on a chapter-by-chapter level. Developmental editing addresses things such as plot holes and inconsistencies, character development, point of view, dialogue, and genre expectations.

Developmental editing can be costly for a new author and some editors offer a cost effective alternative in the form of a Manuscript Assessment.

A Manuscript Assessment is an excellent choice for authors who want a professional overview of what’s working in their story and what’s not, from a big-picture perspective. It’s also a great option for writers who can’t afford or aren’t sure if they need a developmental edit.

It addresses both structural and style-related issues but is not as comprehensive as a full developmental edit. It’s a great option if you’re a first-time author or if you’ve already gone through a few rounds of self-edits and need an outside opinion on the story.

If you still have questions about what type of edit you need, please feel free to reach out and we can discuss your options.