M F ALFREY

After the alpha, beta, and developmental edit stages, but before the final proofread, are the line edit and copy edit stages. These stages are focused on a more micro level than the earlier stages. Let’s look now at the line edit.

What it is

This is a technical craft stage where the editor has their writer-editor hat on and is chiefly concerned with sentence level stylistic work, with a focus on improving the readability of the text, specifically how each line flows. Changes regarding grammar and word choice will be suggested in order to improve the clarity of the writing and to make each sentence count.  

What it is not

The line edit involves a much closer level of scrutiny regarding language use than some of the previous stages. This means that your line editor will be working on your text from a zoomed-in perspective. They will not be reading to search for plot holes or gaps in the logic of your world. Therefore, if you are considering putting your manuscript through a line edit, it is advisable to pass through at least one or two of the earlier stages first, to ensure that the story itself is well-developed before you pass it on for a line edit.

What the author gets

The author receives valuable feedback at the line level about whether each line pulls its weight or can be edited to improve the flow, clarity, or tone. The ideal line edit may be something like a detailed line-by-line level report to help you as an author edit wasted words or underperforming sentences whilst solidifying your author’s voice and style throughout the manuscript.

Further Reading