Developmental vs Line Editing: Which Type of Edit Your Manuscript Needs

Understanding the Editing Spectrum

You’ve finished your manuscript. You know it needs editing. But when you research editors, you encounter a confusing array of terms: developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading. The prices range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. What do you actually need?

The answer depends on where your manuscript is in its evolution—and understanding the different types of editing helps you invest wisely in the right help at the right time.

Developmental Editing: The Big Picture

What It Is

Developmental editing (also called structural or substantive editing) addresses the foundational elements of your manuscript: plot structure, character arcs, pacing, point of view, narrative tension, and overall story logic.

A developmental editor might tell you:

• Your protagonist is passive—they need to make more choices
• The middle section sags because stakes don’t escalate
• This subplot doesn’t connect to your main story
• Your timeline has inconsistencies
• The ending doesn’t deliver on your setup
• Chapter 7 should happen before Chapter 4

What You Get

Typically, a developmental edit includes:

• An editorial letter (5-15 pages) analyzing your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses
• In-manuscript comments highlighting specific issues
• Suggestions for how to address major problems
• Sometimes a follow-up call to discuss the feedback

When You Need It

Consider developmental editing when:

• This is your first novel and you’re unsure about structure
• Beta readers say “something feels off” but can’t articulate what
• You’ve rewritten the same chapters multiple times without progress
• You know there are problems but can’t see the solutions
• You want professional feedback before querying agents

What It Costs

Developmental editing is the most expensive editing type because it’s the most intensive. Expect $2,000-$5,000+ for a full manuscript, depending on length and the editor’s experience. Some editors charge by word count (typically $0.03-$0.08 per word).

What It Doesn’t Do

Developmental editors don’t fix your prose. They don’t correct grammar, polish sentences, or catch typos. Their job is the architecture; the finish work comes later.

Line Editing: The Art of Prose

What It Is

Line editing focuses on how you write, not what you write. A line editor improves your prose at the sentence and paragraph level, addressing:

• Clarity and flow
• Word choice and vocabulary
• Sentence structure and variation
• Voice and tone consistency
• Overwriting and redundancy
• Showing versus telling
• Dialogue effectiveness
• Pacing at the scene level

What You Get

A line edit typically includes:

• Track-changes edits throughout the manuscript
• Comments explaining changes and teaching patterns
• Sometimes a brief editorial letter summarizing patterns

When You Need It

Consider line editing when:

• Your structure is solid but your prose feels flat or inconsistent
• You want to elevate your writing to a professional level
• Beta readers enjoy the story but note the writing needs polish
• You’re self-publishing and want prose quality comparable to traditional publishing

What It Costs

Line editing typically runs $1,500-$4,000 for a full manuscript, or $0.02-$0.05 per word. It’s less expensive than developmental editing because it doesn’t require reimagining the entire story.

What It Doesn’t Do

Line editing doesn’t catch every typo or grammatical error—that’s copyediting. It also doesn’t address major structural problems; those should be resolved first.

The Editing That Comes After

Copyediting

Copyediting addresses correctness: grammar, spelling, punctuation, consistency (is it “grey” or “gray” throughout?), and factual errors. A copyeditor creates a cleaner, more polished manuscript but doesn’t change your style or story.

Cost: $500-$2,000 for a full manuscript.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final polish—catching the typos and formatting errors that survived all previous stages. It’s done on a nearly final manuscript, often after typesetting.

Cost: $300-$800 for a full manuscript.

Which Edit First?

The order matters. You wouldn’t wallpaper a room before building the walls. Similarly:

1. Developmental editing first: Get the structure right
2. Line editing second: Polish the prose
3. Copyediting third: Ensure correctness
4. Proofreading last: Catch final errors

Paying for line editing before developmental editing wastes money—you’ll rewrite the sentences the line editor polished. Copyediting before structure is settled means paying to fix text you might delete.

Self-Assessment: What Does Your Manuscript Need?

Ask yourself these questions:

Do beta readers finish the book? If they stop mid-way, you likely have pacing or engagement problems—developmental issues.

Do beta readers understand what happened? Confusion suggests structural problems.

Do beta readers like the story but not the writing? That’s a line editing issue.

Is this your first novel? First novels often benefit from developmental feedback.

Have you already done substantial revisions? If you’ve addressed structure through multiple drafts, you might be ready for line editing.

Finding the Right Editor

For Developmental Editing

Look for editors who:

• Have experience in your genre
• Can articulate what makes stories work
• Provide sample editorial letters
• Have testimonials from authors whose work improved

For Line Editing

Look for editors who:

• Can demonstrate strong prose sensibilities
• Understand your genre’s conventions
• Provide sample edits so you can assess their approach
• Respect voice while improving clarity

Red Flags for Any Editor

• No sample edits or testimonials
• Prices significantly below market rate (quality editing takes time)
• Promises to “make your book a bestseller”
• No experience in fiction editing
• Unwillingness to discuss their process

The Budget Reality

Not everyone can afford comprehensive editing. If budget is limited:

For traditional publishing: Focus on developmental editing. Agents and publishers will handle copyediting and proofreading. Your job is making the story as strong as possible.

For self-publishing: Prioritize line editing and copyediting. Readers notice bad prose and errors more than structural issues (assuming your story is basically sound).

On a tight budget: Consider manuscript assessments (shorter, cheaper developmental feedback), beta readers and critique partners, or editorial workshops where you learn to self-edit.

The Investment Perspective

Editing costs money. So does a bad book. Premature querying wastes opportunities. Self-publishing an unedited manuscript earns bad reviews that follow you forever.

Think of editing as investment, not expense. The question isn’t “can I afford editing?” but “can I afford to skip it?”

The right editing at the right time transforms manuscripts. Understanding what you need is the first step toward getting it.