A synopsis is often part of the pitching process to a traditional publisher (either directly or through a literary agent). SynopsisĪ more detailed overview of the book’s main plot points, characters, challenges and events. It is a compelling teaser that doesn’t give away key plot points, but aims to entice a reader to purchase the book. Typically a 100-200 word description of the book’s main characters and their conflict. It might include things like checking punctuation and spotting missing words or typos, but it will also include things like checking for consistent indentation, layout and correct labelling of images, consistency in headings and sub-headings and so on. Proofreading is the very last look at a final draft manuscript before it goes for printing. The idea is to make the sentences flow correctly and to eliminate those little errors that can take a reader out of the reading experience. Further, errors with spelling, homonyms, missing words and plain incorrect words will be corrected. Any errors in punctuation will be corrected, such as incorrect use of commas, apostrophes, colons and semi-colons etc. This is the process of making a text flow at a sentence-by-sentence level. This level of editing focuses on the overall layout and structure of the manuscript and aims to convey the author’s ideas in the best chapter-by-chapter arrangement. Such elements in the report will include characters, plot points, overall layout, locations, world-building, pacing, viewpoint and the ending.ĭevelopmental, Substantive or Structural Editing This is a similar assessment to the developmental edit, but the end product is a detailed report that outlines the good (and not so good) parts of the manuscript that an author needs to work on. Let’s see if we can bring some clarity to these terms and concepts: Manuscript Assessment To make things a bit harder for everyone, a number of these terms have multiple meanings and some editing activities are referred to by multiple terms.

This is especially true for authors who, rightly, focus on writing and improving their craft. This allows those working in the industry to quickly exchange ideas, but it can create a barrier for others who are trying to understand what is going on. As with most industries, book publishing is rife with its own jargon and editing terminology.

Manuscript editing terms