So after the book has been written, you have what is called your rough draft. You might look at it and think, “Oh this is a masterpiece.”
Not so fast.
If I can convince you of anything, let me convince you to get another set of eyes on your work. When I started, my budget was zero. None of my family or friends are big readers, so getting help from them was pretty unlikely. I went over my rough draft three separate times, and by the time I finally found someone else to read it, let us just say I had a lot of revisions.
The point is simple. It is your story and you have lived inside it for months. That makes it very easy for your brain to see what you meant instead of what is actually written. Investing in editing is investing in your book’s success. Your future readers deserve your best work, and so do you.
Now let us break down the different types of editors and readers, and when you need them. This way you can confidently choose the right support at each stage.
Stages of Editing: Who Does What
Developmental Editor
This is the big picture editor. They focus on:
• Story structure
• Character arcs
• Plot flow and pacing
• Theme and emotional beats
• Conflict and stakes
Think of them as your story architect. You typically hire a developmental editor first, right after your first draft is complete.
Line Editor
After the story structure is solid, a line editor looks at:
• Sentence flow
• Tone and voice
• Style and clarity
• Word choice
• Emotional impact on the reader
They polish your writing so it reads smoothly, sounds like you, and delivers maximum impact.
Copy Editor
Your copy editor handles the technical side of the text. They focus on:
• Grammar and punctuation
• Consistency and accuracy
• Repeated words or phrases
• Timeline and factual details
• Style guide alignment (Chicago Manual of Style for fiction)
This step comes after developmental and line edits are complete.
Proofreader
The final polish before publishing. They look for:
• Typos
• Formatting issues
• Missed punctuation
• Small errors everyone else overlooked
This is the last step before uploading your book to retailers or sending it to print.
Readers: Who They Are and When To Use Them
Beta Readers
Beta readers are used after your main revisions but before professional editing if you want reader feedback earlier, or after editing but before proofreading if you want final reader impressions.
They help you see:
• How readers connect with characters
• Where pacing drags
• Whether plot twists hit the way you intended
• Overall reader experience
They give opinions and reactions, not grammar edits.
ARC Readers
ARC stands for Advanced Reader Copy. These readers receive your almost-final book shortly before launch to:
• Provide reviews
• Build early buzz
• Help with launch momentum
ARC readers read the book when it is basically finished. No edits expected, just reactions and reviews.
Final Thoughts
Writing a book is a journey, and editing is a huge part of transforming your manuscript into something polished, powerful, and ready for the world. Do not rush the process. Do not skip steps. And do not try to edit in isolation.
Your story deserves to shine. With the right support and the right order of edits, it absolutely will.