The manuscript revision process can be long, daunting, and frustrating, but is so important to the overall quality and success of a book. No matter your chosen publishing path, it is important to have your manuscript reviewed by a professional book editor. Professional book editors understand editing standards, genre expectations, and industry trends, so consulting one prior to publication will greatly increase your chances of producing a polished book that will attract agents, publishers, and readers.
Given that it is essential to the success of your book, editing can often represent a significant investment. To ensure you are investing wisely and making the most of your editing budget, it is important to understand the different levels of professional editing and assess which types of editing your book requires. This is where an editorial assessment comes in.
An editorial assessment is a big-picture professional evaluation of a manuscript. Sometimes called an editorial review or developmental critique, it is often the first professional feedback a writer receives and can serve as a roadmap for revisions. Rather than going line-by-line on every page and making corrections, an editor reads a portion of the manuscript or the entire manuscript and provides a detailed critique of what is working, what is not yet working, and what revisions could strengthen the book. You can think of it as a diagnostic review.
As a part of the editorial assessment, the editor typically delivers a written report reviewing elements that should be addressed in the revision process. Some editors also offer a follow-up consultation to discuss the feedback. For fiction, this can include notes on:
• Plot structure and pacing• Character development and motivations• Point of view and narrative consistency• Dialogue effectiveness• Worldbuilding and setting• Stakes, conflict, and tension• Theme and emotional resonance• Genre expectations and market positioning• Openings, endings, and chapter structure
For nonfiction, the report can include notes on:
• Organization and logical flow• Argument strength and clarity• Chapter progression• Voice and authority• Reader engagement• Content gaps or redundancies• Use of examples, stories, and evidence• Audience fit and marketability• Positioning within the category or subject area
A small amount of notes may indicate some basic editing is needed to get the manuscript ready for publishing or querying, while a significant amount of notes may indicate deeper editing is needed. This editorial assessment will inform how much and what type of editing is required to get your manuscript in the best shape possible. Without this assessment, you may end up spending more than is necessary for professional editing, or, not getting the editorial support you expect.
All manuscripts need some level of professional editing, and all manuscripts can benefit from getting an editorial assessment prior to investing in a full edit. These benefits include:
There are different levels of editing with varying costs, so it is important to make sure you and your editor are on the same page about what levels are needed and how much it will cost. Here are the standard definitions for the four main levels of book editing:
Developmental Editing
Sometimes called stylistic, substantive, or content editing, developmental editing ensures the foundation and structure of a book are solid. The editor looks at the manuscript as a whole and evaluates what is working and what is not. For fiction books, the editor examines the characters, plot, structure, conflict, and pacing. For nonfiction books, the editor focuses on the organization, reader transformation, and structure of the work as a whole. If this level of editing is needed, it should take place first in the process so that time and money are not wasted on editing pages that will be rewritten or even cut. It is the most expensive level of editing because it is the most in-depth.
Line Editing
Line editing examines the manuscript line by line and focuses on the craft of writing. It is often done in conjunction with developmental editing, but not necessarily. A line editor takes a closer look at writing style, word choice, paragraph structure and flow, redundancies, and areas that need clarification. A line editor is not focused on grammar and typos but helps to improve the quality of the writing, making the prose sharper, cleaner, and more engaging.
Copyediting
Copyeditors take a narrower, more technical view of a manuscript to fine tune the details. Copyediting includes fixing errors in grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation. They will not attempt to fix the overall story, so do not expect your copyeditor to identify big picture errors in your manuscript's structure or narrative.
Proofreading
Once the manuscript is formatted, a proofreader ensures there are no formatting mistakes, typos, or inconsistencies. Proofreading also includes making sure changes are made between versions of manuscripts. This is the last editing step that should take place before publication, once all other levels of editing are complete.
The recommended process is to request an editorial assessment, make revisions based on that assessment, and then submit the manuscript for the appropriate level of editing needed. Not every manuscript will need every level, but understanding this progression helps authors avoid skipping essential steps.
First time writers are more likely to encounter foundational issues with their manuscripts due to lack of experience. For example, a novel may have a strong voice but weak pacing; a memoir may have compelling material but lacks focus; a nonfiction book may contain excellent ideas but needs a stronger framework. An editorial assessment helps catch the larger problems before an author spends money polishing pages that may ultimately need to be rewritten or cut. Editors often note that manuscripts perform better during line editing or copyediting when major developmental problems have already been addressed, making these levels of editing more productive.
Writers are often too close to their manuscripts to identify bad writing habits or areas of weakness. Fellow writers and beta readers can offer some feedback, but it can be conflicting or limited. An experienced, professional editor can identify recurring issues, explain why they matter, and suggest solutions grounded in craft and publishing knowledge. This objective perspective can greatly enhance the writing and offer enough guidance for a thorough self-edit. This can reduce the amount of professional editing needed, saving time and money. Many authors view a good editorial assessment as both manuscript feedback and professional development. Specific professional feedback turns vague concerns or confusion into actionable revisions.
To appeal to literary agents and traditional publishers, it is important to present a well-crafted, fully polished manuscript. If you submit poorly edited chapters or a full manuscript riddled with errors, it may be difficult for them to see past mistakes and appreciate the overall story or narrative. An editorial assessment can help identify ways to make a manuscript more competitive and attractive.
The larger traditional publishing companies typically have in-house editors who will provide additional editing support once a contract is signed but they prefer to work with authors and manuscripts that will require fewer revisions. Submitting a well-structured, error-free manuscript with a strong voice and unique perspective will boost your chances of landing an agent and a book deal.
As with most service providers, not all professional editors and editorial assessments are created equally, so it is important to do your research and thoroughly vet any editors you may be considering hiring. One of the best ways to find reputable editors is through fellow writers, but here are a few online resources that might be helpful in finding the right editor for your work:
• Editorial Freelancers Association• Reedsy• Fiverr• Upwork
The most effective type of editorial assessment includes a reading of the full manuscript so that the entire structure can be reviewed, but not all editors offer this. Some offer a mini-critique of the first 25 – 50 pages, while others offer a partial assessment up to a certain word count such as 25,000 words. The cost for an assessment can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the amount of pages or words being read, the editor’s experience, the book’s genre and content complexity, length of the editorial letter and feedback, and whether a one-on-one consultation is included.
A comprehensive, full-manuscript assessment should include:
• A lengthy, detailed editorial letter• Actionable revision recommendations with writer strengths and weaknesses noted• In-manuscript comments• A clear understanding of your genre• A one-on-one consultation with an opportunity for questions
When you find a professional editor you are interested in potentially hiring, you should ask these questions to ensure they are a good fit and that you will get the editing support you expect and pay for:
• What genres do you edit?• Can you provide the names of any author clients you have worked with?• Do you provide a sample edit? (Some will review a few pages for free, so you can see a sample of their editing style)• Do you do editorial assessments?• How much of the manuscript do you read for an assessment?• What do you charge for an assessment?• How many pages is the editorial letter?• Are in-manuscript comments included?• Is a consultation call included?• What levels of professional editing do you offer?• How much do you charge for the various levels?• What is your typical turnaround time?
If pursuing a self-publishing path with the assistance of a supported self-publishing company, ensure the editing package includes an editorial assessment to determine the proper level of editing your book requires. Otherwise, you may end up paying more than necessary for editing support.
A well-crafted, polished manuscript will not happen in the first draft, so getting your story ready for agents, publishers, or readers requires thorough editing and revisions. It is easy to become blind to your mistakes. Without an editorial assessment and professional editing, your manuscript will likely contain many grammatical errors and even some major structural or storytelling issues, which will affect your book’s marketability. An editorial assessment is one of the most strategic editorial investments an author can make, particularly before other levels of editing, querying, or publication take place. It can prevent costly mistakes, sharpen revision, strengthen craft, and help ensure that later editing dollars are spent wisely.
A well-crafted, polished manuscript will not happen in the first draft, so getting your story ready for agents, publishers, or readers requires thorough editing and revisions. It is easy to become blind to your mistakes. Without an editorial assessment and professional editing, your manuscript will likely contain many grammatical errors and even some major structural or storytelling issues, which will affect your book’s marketability.
An editorial assessment is one of the most strategic editorial investments an author can make, particularly before other levels of editing, querying, or publication take place. It can prevent costly mistakes, sharpen revision, strengthen craft, and help ensure that later editing dollars are spent wisely.
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