The Difference Between Developmental Editing and Line Editing
There are many types of editors. As a writer for most of my life, I hadn’t realized there were many layers to editing until I started to learn about the publishing world—and eventually became a developmental editor. Editing is an essential part of the publishing process to have the most impact on your readers and accomplish your goals as an author. However, not all editing is the same.
Two of the most crucial types of editing—developmental editing and line editing—serve different purposes in refining a manuscript. Understanding the distinction between these editing stages will help you determine what your book needs and when.
What is Developmental Editing?
Developmental editing is the big-picture, structural stage of editing. This is the first stop along the editing journey. Developmental editing focuses on the foundation of your story, ensuring that the book is well-organized, compelling, and effectively delivers its message.
A developmental editor looks at:
Plot and structure (for fiction) or organization and clarity (for nonfiction)
Character development and arcs
Pacing and flow
Theme and consistency
Worldbuilding and setting
Point of view and perspective shifts
Developmental editing is often the first stage of professional editing and requires significant revisions. The feedback is provided in an editorial letter and in-line comments throughout the manuscript, guiding the author on how to strengthen the overall narrative. Overall, this stage is taking the 10,000-foot view of your work and ensuring that you have checked all the boxes to make the reader experience as elevated as possible.
What is Line Editing?
Line editing is a more detailed, stylistic edit that focuses on the craft of writing at the sentence level. It enhances readability, improves flow, and polishes language without altering the overall structure of the book.
A line editor focuses on:
Sentence clarity and structure
Word choice and tone
Repetitive phrasing or awkward wording
Dialogue authenticity
Transitions and rhythm
Consistency in style and voice
Unlike developmental editing, line editing doesn’t address major structural changes but instead hones the writing so that it feels smooth, engaging, and polished. This is why developmental editing comes first in the editing process—jumping ahead to line editing can lead to wasted effort if structural issues still need to be addressed.
Which One Do You Need?
If you’re still shaping your story, refining your arguments, or unsure if your book flows well, developmental editing is your best next step. This type of editing ensures your story is solid before diving into sentence-level refinements.
If your manuscript is structurally sound but needs more polish in terms of readability and style, line editing will help elevate your writing to a professional level.
Both developmental and line editing play crucial roles in bringing a manuscript to its full potential. Many authors work with a developmental editor first, revise their manuscript, and then move on to line editing before preparing for copyediting and proofreading. Understanding these differences will help you navigate the editing process with confidence and clarity.
If you’re unsure which type of editing your manuscript needs, I offer developmental editing services to help shape your story and guide you toward the next steps in your publishing journey. Feel free to reach out—I’d love to support you in making your book the best it can be!
