Premier Literary Services
Definitions
Definitions for the types of editing change depending on the source. For clarity, please find below the common forms of editing and the definitions I use in my service. These definitions are consistent with the Editorial Freelancers Association.
Alpha Reading
An alpha reader reads the rough, sometimes incomplete, draft of your manuscript and provides feedback on each chapter and overall. Alpha readers look past typos and notes you wrote to yourself to focus on the bigger picture: helping you sell your book.
The alpha reading service at PLS includes feedback, special focus, and other assistance as needed.
Beta Reading
A beta reader reads the polished, completed manuscript and provides feedback on each chapter and overall. Beta readers are often free and serve as a test panel for the target market.
PLS does not offer beta reading services to new clients.
Coaching
A writing coach is a source of motivation throughout your writing process. Coaches help facilitate an organized and cohesive narrative, keep you on-track mentally and emotionally throughout your draft, hold you accountable to your goals, and provide objective guidance.
The coaching service at PLS includes chats, reads, assistance, and more.
Developmental Editing
This is a structural review of the plot, story and character arcs, dynamic descriptions, and all the major aspects of the story. Developmental editing often requires a new draft to fix core problems, improve marketability, and encourage readers to leave positive reviews. It's called "developmental" or "structural" because notes address the way the piece comes together as a whole.
The developmental editing package at PLS includes two rounds with time for you to revise and an optional beta read.
Line Editing
This is a surface review of the language usage as well as character, setting, and description consistencies throughout your manuscript. Line editing often leads to minor revisions rather than a new draft but does not fix potential plot holes and other structural problems. It's called a "line edit" because it focuses on the use of language line by line.
PLS does not offer line editing services.
Copyediting
This is a surface polishing of spelling, number, capitalization, and grammar usage throughout your manuscript. Many copyeditors make these changes for you. Copyediting is a once-over prior to final formatting.
PLS does not offer copyediting services.
Proofreading
This is a surface polishing of spelling, number, capitalization, and grammar usage throughout your formatted manuscript. Proofreading is not a type of editing but rather the final cleanup to make your formatted project shine.
PLS does not offer line editing services.
Slush
This is the industry term for "unsolicited submissions". PLS does not accept slush. If you're not yet a client, schedule a free consultation on the Services page to determine if we're a good fit. If we've worked together before and you have a new project, send me the details via email.