This article discusses editorial services that go beyond copyediting or line editing to look a manuscript's structure and/or plot.
While an earlier article discussed some editorial services beginning freelance editors can provide, some manuscripts require more work. For these kinds of edits, publishing companies and authors turn to more experienced editors who are familiar with the industry and the genre and will apply the necessary edits to make a piece marketable. Other services do not involve alteration of manuscripts at all but instead require a strong knowledge of certain publishing markets and genres.
The following are a few more editorial services an freelancer can offer.
Acquisitions Editing
This editor is normally works with book publishing companies. The acquisitions editor is well educated in the market he/she is working in and constantly studies the marketing data, news, and printed works of competing publishers. Most importantly, as the name implies, this editor finds publishable materials for the publisher that will succeed in its market. Reviewing submissions and signing new authors are included in this service. While acquisitions editor does not alter the manuscript, he/she may recommend other editorial services to prepare it for publication.
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing involves evaluating a manuscript for broader inconsistencies. The developmental editor closely examines a work's content, organization, level of detail, tone, and style. This edit includes flagging or deleting text that is inappropriate or inaccurate as well as identifying gaps in content and possibly filling in these gaps. Moving sentences and paragraphs to improve the organization and flow may also be necessary. The developmental editor will also rewrite portions of the text for consistency of style and recommend ways to improve the manuscript's effectiveness and readability.
Ghostwriting
This service enters the realm of writing services, but it can be considered an editorial service as well. The ghostwriter uses the author's original draft or research to turn the book or article into a publishable piece. The rights to the work as well as the credit go to the author, not the ghostwriter.
Fact Checking
Called a researcher in some publishing companies, the fact checker does not make any editorial changes to a manuscript. Fact checking involves verifies the accuracy of the content before it goes into print. Whether it's a portion of the text or the entire manuscript, this is an important service for publishers of nonfiction books and periodicals. Some publishing companies consider this an entry level service, but those working with larger publishing companies are paid well.
Obviously, many of these services will vary slightly according to editor and what the publishing company or client needs.
