The invention of the printing press in the 15th century marked a revolutionary change in the world of literature. We know that books have existed for much longer, but so has the process of book editing. While the nature of book editing has certainly changed throughout the course of history, it is still an important aspect of book publishing. Without the editorial process, we would not have the perfect books we so dearly have enjoyed.
Nowadays, book editing has taken a more professional route, with more and more freelancers and publishing companies offering this service. Let’s take a more detailed look into the evolution of book editing and how this service has changed over the years.
What is Book Editing?
Book editing is basically the process of re-checking an already written book or parts of it. This is done for various reasons, such as correcting typos and errors, checking for grammatical mistakes or improving the clarity of a manuscript.
In some cases, editing is also done to improve character development, take out plot holes, and improve the storyline in any way possible. This allows the final product to have a much better flow and the reader can enjoy a perfected manuscript. Writing has always been subjective, and room for human error has always existed, especially when it comes to writing hundreds of pages in a book form.
Hence, an editorial review is sometimes necessary to ensure that the final manuscript is just the way an author had intended it to be.
Types of Book Editors
Different types of editors offer different kinds of book editing. Let’s take a look at some of the most common forms of book editors and how they can reshape your book.
Copy Editors
When we think about editing a manuscript or looking for corrections, we’re usually talking about copy editing. This type of book editor looks for inconsistencies in your book and fixes grammatical errors. They look for human errors in spelling and fix the typos or repeated text in your book. This is the most common type of editing service, and in some cases, automated tools can also be used to assist with it.
Developmental Editors
Generally speaking, developmental editors are those who look at your story in the bigger picture. Instead of focusing on spelling errors or grammar, they tend to focus their attention on the flow of the story while looking for plot holes. Developmental editors also focus on the gradual progression and timeline of your story and how each character develops throughout the book.
Line-by-Line Editors
A line-by-line editor is used when you want to fix the readability of your book. This type of editor focuses on the clarity and coherence of your sentences throughout the book. They look for sentences that sound unnatural or are difficult to read or understand. By fixing this part of your book, line editors improve the sentence structures of your book and drastically improve the reading experience.
Proofreaders
Proofreading is the lightest form of editing. A proofreader is the kind of editor who only highlights any errors or mistakes previously overlooked during the other editorial phases. In most cases, writers need a proofreader only after all forms of editing are done, and the book is in the final stages of production.
Editing In The Past
The only form of editing before the technological revolution was manual editing. Traditionally, an editor would manually read a physical copy of your book and go through it line by line to spot errors and check for improvement. Editing, for the most part, was a much more hectic task back then, as editors would need to manually mark their changes on paper and correct them in the original file after a complete review.
Modern-day Editing
With the advent of digital technology, like almost everything, professional book editing has also become much easier, for the most part at least. While it is true that some people find reading from paper much easier than a digital screen, no one can deny the fact that technology has had a drastic effect on the editing process.
The use of software such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs has allowed for edits to be marked and reviewed in a much more convenient manner. It has also become easier to review and revise a manuscript without having the need to print at all. Not only is this better for the environment, it also saves cost and effort on the editor’s part. The use of tools and software to notice mistakes and highlight changes is also now possible, which allows the authors to notice how and where their manuscript has been revised.
Self-Editing vs Professional Book Editing
This is a debate that constantly goes on inside the mind of every author. As most authors are already proficient in the language they write in, it is understandable that they shift toward self-editing. But there’s no denying the fact that a second perspective can often highlight errors that they may overlook. Professional editors are experts who have been constantly editing books for years and have a keen eye for errors and mistakes.
This makes professional book editing the right option, as a different set of eyes can give you insights that you may not be able to realize on your own. Most professional editors or companies, such as The Book Publishing Solutions, look at your book from a neutral perspective, which allows them to be less emotional toward your manuscript and offer constructive criticism that can improve the overall quality of your book.
Benefits of Professional Editing
Let’s take a look at some of the pros of getting a professional book editing service.
- Improves readability: No matter how good your concept or story is, it needs to be structured in a way that is readable and understandable for the general audience.
- Corrects errors: There is always room for human error that may restrict your book from getting the attention it deserves.
- Ensures consistency: Professional editing ensures that there is consistency in your writing style throughout your book, and readers remain hooked from the first page to the last.
- Offers Clarity: There may be plot holes or ambiguities in your manuscript that can be eliminated through the editing process.
- Gives Valuable Insights: A good editor will be able to give you insights regarding the story progression and character development, which can enhance your book and add strength to the overall structure and flow of your narrative.
- Enhances The Overall Quality: By removing errors and mishaps that may have gone unnoticed, a professional editing service can enhance the overall quality of your book and make a bigger impact on the readers.
Conclusion
Google estimated the total number of books in the world to be somewhere around 130 million in 2010. UNESCO estimated that around 2.2 million books are published every year. This means that in 2023, there will be more than 160 million books in the world. And that number will continue to rise with each passing year.
It is surprising to see such a huge number of books being published, especially considering how much time and effort goes into writing and then editing a single book. Some of the credit does go to technological advances that have made the writing and editing process easier and convenient, and consequently, the book industry has certainly evolved to its very best.
