Copy Editing vs Line Editing: What’s the Difference?

You’ve finished your final draft of your debut magnum opus and you’re on the lookout for a top-notch editor. You see the terms ‘copy editing’ and ‘line editing’ being thrown about almost interchangeably and you can’t help but wonder: What on Earth is the difference?

Copy Editing

Copy editing address the technical aspects of writing, focusing on the accuracy and consistency of the text. It involves reviewing grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Without it, your manuscript probably wouldn’t read very well.

You may think you’re a pro speller. You probably won your third-grade spelling bee, and I applaud you for that (I was never in a spelling bee). But we are all human, which means we all make mistakes—including copy editing ones. And when you’ve read your manuscript at least 3-5 times after multiple drafts and rounds of self-editing, you’re bound to miss a few errors. You become blind to them. You read the sentences and words as they’re meant to be read, not as they’re written.

Hiring a copy editor ensures those mistakes are found before your book is published. Copy editors ensure that the manuscript follows grammatical rules as per the author’s chosen style guide and uses punctuation correctly. They correct errors and make sure that sentence structures are correct, as well as catch spelling mistakes and typographical errors that may have been overlooked. This includes ensuring consistency in spelling, especially for words that are spelt differently in different countries or for words created by the author for their fictional world.

Speaking of consistency, copy editors also help maintain consistent style and formatting according to the selected style guide, ensuring the text is justified with correct use of paragraph indents, and font size and style.

But like I said before, we are all human, which means even copy editors may make mistakes. However, it’s our job to make sure those mistakes are limited (if not eradicated) in your published book.

Line Editing

Line editing is a deep dive into the prose, focusing on the style and clarity of the writing at the sentence level. It’s about making sure that every line of your manuscript is not only grammatically correct but also engaging and effective. Without a line edit, your manuscript could be jagged and unnatural to read.

Line editors work on improving the readability of your text, helping to ensure that sentences are clear and logically structured, making the reading experience smoother and more enjoyable. They pay close attention to the author’s voice and tone, ensuring consistency throughout the manuscript. Whether you’re aiming for a formal, informal, humorous, or serious tone, a line editor helps maintain it.

Line editing involves refining word choice and phrasing. Editors look for opportunities to enhance the precision of your language, eliminate redundancies, and ensure that each word serves a purpose. Pacing is a part of this too, ensuring that the narrative moves at an appropriate speed and that scenes and transitions are well-paced. Line editors also address dialogue and character interactions, making sure that they sound natural and that character voices are distinct and consistent.

How They Work Together

While line editing and copy editing have distinct roles, they complement each other and are often sequential stages in the editing process. Most editors will offer each service separately, and in this case, line editing typically occurs before copy editing. However, some editors (like me) will offer them together, either listing the service as just copy editing, just line editing, or in my case: Copy & Line Editing.

Both line editing and copy editing are crucial in the editing process. Line editing enhances the readability and effectiveness of the writing, while copy editing ensures technical accuracy and consistency. Together, they help transform a draft into a polished, professional piece of writing.

I’m an Australian-trained developmental editor, copy editor, and proofreader most experienced editing fiction short stories, novels, and novellas. All my services can be tailored to suit each author’s needs, including my Copy & Line Editing service. For example, if you’ve already sought line editing elsewhere but need copy editing, I can adjust my service as needed.

If you’re looking for copy and/or line editing, get in touch via the form on my contact page. If necessary, I offer free 15-minute video call consultations if you’re unsure on what you need. Let’s work together to make your story shine!