What Is Line Editing?
Line editing is also sometimes called content editing.
It is not the same thing as developmental editing (also called substantive editing), which is "big picture" editing done before the writing of the manuscript is completed—or sometimes before the writing begins. I don't offer developmental editing.
Line editing is also not the same thing as copyediting or proofreading, which I do offer.
So what IS line editing, then?
Line editing is stylistic rather than technical. As your line editor, I will do all of the following:
Of course I will be mindful of what kind of document it is—nonfiction books and legal documents and business plans and academic papers shouldn't, and won't, sound the same.
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It is not the same thing as developmental editing (also called substantive editing), which is "big picture" editing done before the writing of the manuscript is completed—or sometimes before the writing begins. I don't offer developmental editing.
Line editing is also not the same thing as copyediting or proofreading, which I do offer.
So what IS line editing, then?
Line editing is stylistic rather than technical. As your line editor, I will do all of the following:
- Banish repetitiveness. Writers tend to overuse favorite words or phrases.
- Remove redundancies. It's usually best not to say something and then say it again in different words in the next sentence.
- Get rid of clichés. Cliché-ridden writing is amateurish.
- Improve word choices. The right word is better than the "people-will-know-what-I-mean" word.
- Eliminate vagueness. Too many generalities weaken any document.
- Create clarity out of confusion. Sometimes writers, knowing their subject well, don't realize that readers won't "get it."
Of course I will be mindful of what kind of document it is—nonfiction books and legal documents and business plans and academic papers shouldn't, and won't, sound the same.
Return to Services & Rates