Manuscript Editing
What is an Editor?
An editor assists in preparing an author’s manuscript for publication. They possess writing and editing experience, use reference materials and style guides, and can work remotely.
Tools Your Manuscript Editor Uses
Asana
Bitwarden
Brevo
Buffer
Calendly
Canva
ChatGPT
ClickUp
Dropbox
Evernote
Facebook
Freshbooks
Google Workspace
Grammarly
Hootsuite
HubSpot
HubSpot Meeting
LinkedIn
MailChimp
Microsoft 365
Pinterest
Scrivener
SurveyMonkey
TimeCamp
Trello
WhatsApp
Manuscript Critique
Manuscript Formatting
Proofreading
Copyediting
Developmental Editing
Line Editing
Manuscript Critique
Manuscript Formatting
Proofreading
Copyediting
Developmental Editing
Line Editing
Must Have Information
New and experienced writers must edit their manuscripts before sending them to a publishing house. Different editing processes require specific materials to help navigate the complexities of the English language. Familiarity with style manuals, reference texts, style sheets, and editing levels is essential before beginning the editing process. See below for more details.
Editors complete their projects using various reference materials, such as textbooks, handbooks, dictionaries, and online sources. The specific materials used depend on the manuscript we edit.
Atwood LLC has a growing list of reference materials we use as needed. These materials include:
Style Guides
- Modern Language Association Handbook (MLA) (9th ed.)
- The Associated Press Stylebook (AP Stylebook) (55th ed.)
- The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.)
- The Chicago Manual of Style (18th ed.)
- The Gregg Reference Manual (10th ed.)
- The Yahoo! Style Guide
Dictionaries & Thesauruses
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.)
- Merriam-Webster’s Thesaurus (online)
- The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms
Primary Reference Guides
- Business Writing Today (3rd ed.)
- Dreyer’s English
- Garner’s Modern English Usage (4th ed.)
- The Business Style Handbook (2nd ed.)
- The Copyeditor’s Handbook (4th ed.)
- The Elements of Style
Essay Writing & Learning Reference Guides
- A Writer’s Reference (4th ed.)
- Copyediting & Proofreading for Dummies
- The Concise Guide to Writing (2nd ed.)
Editors create a style sheet to track all editorial changes throughout the editing process. Editors distribute this sheet to everyone involved, including the author and the proofreader, to ensure consistency in the manuscript as it approaches publication.
The content of the style sheets will vary based on the editing your manuscript undergoes. Please refer to the respective editing pages for more information on the contents of each type of style sheet.
In sample editing, an editor meticulously selects excerpts from different manuscript sections to provide a holistic depiction of the entire document. This method enables the editor to assess and recommend the most suitable level of editing—whether it be light, medium, or full—based on the document’s requirements. The estimated cost differs for each level of editing.
Light Edit*
A light edit indicates that the manuscript is correct and has been checked for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. There are few or no tables, figures, footnotes, endnotes, or bibliography, and each of these elements is well-prepared. Additionally, there is no technical information. The turnaround time, including two passes, may be shorter than expected.
Medium Edit*
Medium editing involves addressing significant grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors throughout the text. Even well-prepared manuscripts with tables, figures, footnotes, and a complete bibliography require thorough cross-checking. Additionally, light fact-checking is necessary if technical information is included.
Full Edit
A full edit can mean one of two things: (1) the manuscript has many mistakes, is technical or challenging to read, or contains multiple references that need to be reworked for correct citation, or (2) it indicates that the author has finished the developmental and line editing phases, but the manuscript still requires significant work.
*Light editing will result in a 10% discount on the entire project.
**Medium editing will result in a 5% discount on the whole project.
Fiction & Nonfiction Genres
An editor’s preferences typically align with their interests. Therefore, the fiction and nonfiction genres I most enjoy reading and working with include:
Fiction Genres
Action & Adventure
Crime & Mystery
Fantasy
Horror
Mythology
Romance
Science Fiction
Suspense
Thrillers
Young Adult
Nonfiction Genres
Biographies
Business
Educational
History
Memoirs
Narrative
How It Works
Schedule a Free Consultation
Book a complimentary consultation to explore how we can support your virtual assistant or editing requirements without strings attached.
Proposal & Contract
Receive a detailed proposal on the agreed-upon services and sign the electronic Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA).
Invoice & Deposit
Upon approval of the proposal, receive the invoice and pay the deposit to begin.
