developmental editing
This is big-picture editing, in which the editor takes a macro view of your book to identify any significant structural issues. It focuses on organization, readability, clarity, and flow. Things like character development, plot holes, info dumps, timeline inconsistencies, etc. are pointed out and advice is given on how to correct those issues. This type of editing helps guarantee the message of your manuscript is clear. Developmental editors don’t do any writing or rewriting. They will make suggestions, but their job is to help you become a better writer by explaining how to organize your ideas, structure your book’s content, and transition smoothly between ideas.
line editing
A line editor performs a line-by-line review of your manuscript, providing the most detailed edit you can get. They work directly with you to talk through the edits, address your intent, and ask questions about how the language itself is working. A great line editor will make your prose sing, but if your content isn’t structured properly (a developmental edit), it won’t matter. Be mindful that your line editor may catch mechanical errors in passing, but it is ultimately the next stage, copy editing, that will comb a manuscript for typos and other mistakes before it goes to print.
Copy editing
Copyeditors work at the micro level, looking at grammar, spelling, mechanics, and consistency of voice and tense. A copyeditor will flag inappropriate word choices, unnecessary repetition, and use of clichés. As well as small grammatical rules that native English speakers often don’t realize exist.
pre-formatting proofread
A pre-formatting proofread is done after copyediting but before formatting. Your proofreader is looking for any remaining spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typographical errors.
post-formatting proofread
This editing stage addresses any typos, repeated words, spelling, punctuation, and formatting issues in your book’s final environment. If you’re publishing an ebook, a proofreader should look at your book on an eReader. If your book will be printed, your editor should proofread a PDF.