How long does it take to edit a book?
Self-publishing a manuscript can be daunting when you consider all the things that need doing: editing, proofreading, cover design, marketing, building a readership and planning your launch party. Not to mention creating your wonderful piece of work in the first place! Many factors come into play – it’s not just about achieving a word count.
So, with a deadline looming and a never-ending to-do list before your book is ready for the world, when should you start outsourcing to a professional?
Investing in a professional editor is one of the best things you can do for your manuscript. Not only will your story be much stronger with enhanced readability, but your writing skills and knowledge will also improve.
You have to know what you are looking for in the first instance, though, as there are different types of editors and each editing step comes with its own checklist and time frame.
What type of editing do I need?
Three main types of editing occur on a manuscript before it’s ready to be published: developmental/structural editing, line and copyediting, and proofreading.
Developmental/structural editing is the first stage of the editing process and usually takes the longest. During this process, the editor assesses the big picture elements of your story, such as plot, characterisation, theme and organisation.
Once these areas are on track and your manuscript is structurally sound, you are ready for a line and copyedit. This is a line-by-line and word-by-word edit, ensuring consistency and tightening your prose, looking at everything from dialogue, show vs. tell, grammar, punctuation, pace and, most importantly, readability.
Finally, before you hit publish, your manuscript requires a final and critical step of proofreading. This looks for any pesky typos or formatting issues that could pull or distract your readers from the story. No one wants a one-star review for poor grammar, punctuation or typos.
How long does my manuscript need to be?
There’s no right or wrong length for your manuscript – as long as it’s telling your story. The number of words will impact the time it takes for a professional editor to work on your manuscript, but it’s important you don’t change your story, voice or writing style to make it shorter and save yourself some editing time. Shortening it at the expense of a compelling plot or captivating characters will simply hurt your manuscript in the long run.
How many drafts do I need to do before I hire an editor?
When you’re self-publishing, you need to budget for everything, and your budget may determine how many levels of professional editing you undertake.
Before you bring your manuscript to a professional editor, be sure that you have taken care of the first steps to make it as polished as possible. This will ensure the editing process is efficient and effective. To ensure your manuscript is structurally sound, undertake a structural edit, manuscript assessment and beta readers before engaging a line and copyeditor.
Am I ready for a line and copyedit?
You’re finished writing and are wondering if it is time to engage a professional copyeditor for your manuscript.
This checklist covers some key elements to complete before engaging a copyeditor and ensuring your editor’s time is not distracted by details that should have been addressed in an earlier step of the process.
What’s involved with a line and copyedit?
Line and copyediting are where I focus my energy at Nurturing Words, and typically, a manuscript (approx. 80k words) will be in my care for about 4–5 weeks as I work on one manuscript at a time and fully immerse myself in the story.
Keep in mind that editors work at different speeds, and an editor’s schedule or work process will also impact the time your manuscript is with a professional editor. The state of the writing and the number of editing drafts undertaken before engaging with a professional will also affect the time.
When I work on a manuscript, my editing time involves:
- Formatting and preparing the file for editing
- The actual editing – line by line, word by word
- A follow-up read-through
- Running automated software and macros
- Writing the editorial summary
- Construction of the personalised style guide
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” – Benjamin Franklin
Planning and settling due dates for the key steps of your self-publishing journey is critical. You can’t type “The End” and expect an editor to be available the next day to pick up your manuscript.
By starting with your release date, you can work back to set deadlines for each editing and proofreading stage. This allows you to book your editor/s and proofreader in advance to avoid disappointment. Keep in mind that these dates will also vary based on your writing schedule and other “life” factors.
Release Date:
1. Six weeks prior to release date = send to proofreader and allow 2-3 weeks turnaround
2. 15 weeks prior to release date = send to the copyeditor and allow 4-6 weeks turnaround
Why does it take so long to edit a manuscript?
Book editing is a meticulous process. Editors go through the book with a fine-tooth comb, checking for inconsistencies and grammatical errors. They have to ensure the book has a cohesive voice, consistent tone and a clear plotline. They have to make sure the book makes sense, is entertaining and is a book that people will want to read.
Editors have a wealth of knowledge in the technicalities of writing and an eye for a good story with pace and readability. Investing in a professional editor will give you the peace of mind that your book is the best it can possibly be and that you are putting your most professional and polished work forward to publication.
So, if your manuscript is nearing the line or copyediting stage, or you want to budget for editing in the future, please drop me an email and we can chat.
