What do book editors do?
• Editors check your book for spelling, punctuation, grammatical, tense and typographical errors. • Editors look at your sentence structure and word choice. • Editors copy edit — every line is read word by word. Unnecessary, ambiguous or confusing words in the context of your story are reviewed and edited. Sentences are checked for rhythm and flow, as well as repetitiousness and lapses in clarity, continuity and consistency. • Editors consider the work in overview, its balance and structure, and whether the narrative is being presented in the best possible way. They make sure that the development of your book is sound and free from any dangling sub-plots or issues, or other loose ends or sagging mid-sections. They consider the overall style, rhythm and pace of the work and whether it is appropriate to the narrative or discussion and the way it will be perceived by, and unfold for your readers. In many respects, a manuscript / book editor is your book’s first impartial audience and the
