Editing Department Frequently Asked Questions
Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our editing process, timelines, expectations, and communication
Editing is one of the most important parts of your publishing journey. It’s where your book gets sharpened, refined, and prepared for publication. Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our editing process, timelines, expectations, and communication.
What Kinds of Editing Are There?
There are several types of editing, and each focuses on a different layer of your book:
- Developmental Review – Looks at structure, pacing, and the “big picture.” Does the story or message make sense? Are chapters ordered effectively?
- Content Edit – Focuses on clarity, flow, and readability within chapters. It strengthens your arguments, storytelling, or teaching points.
- Line Edit – Refines the rhythm and word choice at the sentence level, improving tone, style, and readability.
- Copyedit – Corrects grammar, punctuation, and consistency issues.
- Proofread – The final polish before publication.
Some editors (especially outside of selfpublishing.com) use blended terms:
- Dev/Con = A combination of developmental review + line edit
- Duo Package = Typically includes dev/con + copyedit
💡 If you’re hiring an external editor, always request a sample edit and clear definitions of what’s included before you begin.
What’s the Difference Between Proofreading and Copyediting?
It’s easy to mix these two up because they both deal with grammar and polish, but they happen at different stages.
- Copyediting focuses on language accuracy—correcting grammar, punctuation, consistency, and clarity. It’s about making sure the writing reads smoothly and aligns with your voice and style.
- Proofreading is the final check before publication. It catches last-minute typos, spacing issues, and punctuation errors after all other changes are complete.
If you think of your book as a house:
- Copyediting is when the painter smooths out the walls and fixes small dents.
- Proofreading is when you walk through the house and correct a light switch plate that’s slightly crooked.
How Many Rounds of Editing Did I Buy?
If you are in the Elite Program, you have access to five full rounds of in-house editing, guided by the Head of Editing directly.
If you are in Build a Bestseller (BAB) or Author Advantage Accelerator (AAA), reach out to your coach for guidance on:
- How to upgrade to the Elite package,
- Where to find a trusted external editor, or
- What options are available within your current program.
What Do I Really Need?
We recommend completing all five rounds of editing if possible—it’s the only way to ensure your book reaches a professional, publish-ready standard.
If you’re unable to upgrade to the full Elite package, we recommend getting at least two rounds:
- A Dev/Con Edit (covers structure + content clarity)
- A Copyedit (handles grammar and readability)
This combination ensures your book is both strong and clean before moving into design and formatting.
How Long Does Editing Take?
Editing timelines depend on how proactive you are as an author and how quickly you return your revised manuscript between rounds.
At selfpublishing.com, here’s what to expect:
- Round 1 (Developmental Review): ~1 week
- Round 2 (Content Edit): ~1 week
- Round 3 (Line Edit): up to 3 weeks
- Round 4 (Copyedit): up to 3 weeks
- Round 5 (Proofread): up to 3 weeks
You’ll get your manuscript back for review between each major round:
- Between R1 and R2
- Between R2 and R3
- Between R3 and R4
This gives you time to review, revise, and ask questions before moving forward.
What Kind of Feedback Will I Get?
Each round focuses on a different kind of feedback:
- R1 (Developmental Review): A detailed editorial letter explaining your book’s structure, flow, and overall strengths and weaknesses. (Your editor will not make these large changes for you—they’ll guide you through what to fix.)
- R2 (Content Edit): Comments within the manuscript suggesting improvements to paragraphs, transitions, or tone.
- R3 (Line Edit): In-line tracked changes that refine language, clarity, and tone.
- R4 (Copyedit): Grammar, punctuation, and consistency fixes applied directly in the document.
- R5 (Proofread): The final polish before publication—catching typos, formatting errors, and any lingering issues.
Editors will always use comments and tracked changes to show their suggestions clearly.
How Do I Get in Touch with My Editor?
When you’re ready to begin editing, tell your coach. They’ll provide you with a short editing form to fill out, and once that’s submitted, the Head of Editing will reach out to you directly to begin the process.
Do Editors Want My Book in a Certain Format?
Yes! All in-house editing at selfpublishing.com is completed in Google Docs.
Your document must be set to “Anyone with the link can edit.”
Formatting and layout don’t matter at this stage—your focus should be on the text itself. Design, typesetting, and layout come after editing is fully complete.