Have you ever wondered if it’s a good idea to get a combination editing package, like a line edit plus a proofreading service, in order to save money and get your novel finished faster? If you have, you’re not alone. Many editors offer packages and services that contain more than one type of editing, but you need to be careful when choosing a service, especially one that also contains proofreading. This is because proofreading is the final step in the editing process before you format your book and publish it.
Understanding the Basics of a Line Edit
Line editing involves the perusing of a completely written work in order to focus on such things as word choice, rhythm, syntax, and the overall strength of each sentence. Line editing helps authors keep their sentences concise and easily understandable for the reader. The practice of line editing is to study each sentence and to ensure that unnecessary words are trimmed. Line editing also focuses on word meaning. Editors analyze whether the words chosen by the author are the best choices for conveying the intended message. If the word doesn’t appear correct, the editor will change it to a stronger word that has a more powerful meaning and better conveys the message.
Understanding Proofreading
Proofreading occurs after the line editing has been completed. It helps to ensure that the rhythm and pacing of the sentences are at their best by seeing to it that such things as commas, dashes, colons, and semi-colons have been used properly. It involves only minor adjustments to the text and perhaps to check for formatting errors if the manuscript formatting process has been completed, but proofreading does not involve making grand corrections to the content of the piece.
Pros of Getting a Line Editing and Proofreading
-
You could save money if no further edits are needed after receiving the corrected manuscript from your chosen editor.
-
It could take less time to complete your manuscript if the combination line edit and proofread successfully correct all the flaws in the work.
Cons of Getting a Line Editing and Proofreading in the Same Service
It’s important to understand that proofreading is the last step before formatting and publication. Therefore, the biggest drawback of getting an editing service that includes proofreading is that you may not be finished with the book. For example, if you don’t like all the line edit changes, you may decline to accept them in the draft your editors hands you. You may also feel the need to make additional changes to the text after you receive the edited copy. The latter occurs when to reread your manuscript after not having read it in a few weeks. (The time is took your editor to edit it.) If this occurs, you may have to hire a second proofreading service to catch any errors you introduced into your text while making changes.
Should You Choose an A-La-Cart Service or a Package that Contains Line Editing and Proofreading?
When it comes to determining whether or not you should choose an editing package that contains line editing and proofreading or just a line edit or proofreading, it depends on where you are in the process. If you have to make a lot of changes after you receive your editing service, you’ll need to perform a second proofread of your work if you choose line editing plus proofreading. Of course, there is a chance that you won’t need to make further edits of your work after your editing service is complete, in which case, you could save money by getting a line edit and a proofread at the same time.
