Editing Definitions
Source: Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) online.
NOTE: These are the official definitions and may describe services we are not prepared to offer. At this time, we recommend that writers look for a professional ghostwriter or other qualified editor if serious developmental editing is required.
Emphasis within the quotations has been added by this writer and generally indicate what services we are prepared to offer at this time.
CMOS 2.51 Mechanical editing (PVP equivalent: Light Copyediting)
"... the mechanics of written communication.... It refers to consistency in capitalization, spelling, hyphenation, table format, use of abbreviations, and so forth; correctness of punctuation, including ellipsis points, parentheses, and quotation marks; the way numbers are treated; consistency between text, tables, and illustrations; citation format; and other matters of style...also includes attention to grammar, syntax, and usage at the most basic level. Such editing may include either preparing an electronic file according to the requirements of the production process and the medium in which the work will be published or, if the editing is done by hand, marking up the hard copy for a typesetter."
CMOS 2.55 Substantive editing (PVP equivalent: Moderate Copyediting)
"Substantive editing deals with the organization and presentation of existing content. It involves rephrasing for smoothness or to eliminate ambiguity, reorganizing or tightening, reducing or simplifying documentation, recasting tables, and other remedial activities. (It should not be confused with developmental editing, a more drastic process; see 2.48.) In general, no substantive work should be undertaken without agreement between publisher and editor, especially for book-length works; if major substantive work is needed, the author should be consulted and perhaps invited to approve a sample before the editing proceeds, to avoid delays later. Journal editors, however, working on rigid schedules, may need to do substantive editing without prior consultation with authors if problems of organization, presentation, and verbal expression have not been addressed at earlier stages."
NOTE: The definition of "other remedial activities" will be determined by the editor based on the nature and length of the manuscript and the determination by the editor whether or not the material can benefit from this service or needs developmental editing.
CMOS 2.48 Manuscript editing as opposed to developmental editing (PVP equivalent: Heavy/Rewrites)
"Manuscript editing, also called copyediting or line editing, requires attention to every word in a manuscript, a thorough knowledge of the style to be followed (see 2.52), and the ability to make quick, logical, and defensible decisions. It is undertaken only when a manuscript has been accepted for publication. It may include both mechanical editing (see 2.51) and substantive editing (see 2.55). It is distinct from developmental editing (not discussed in this manual), which addresses more radically the content of a work, the way material should be presented, the need for more or less documentation and how it should be handled, and so on. Since editing of this kind may involve total rewriting or reorganization of a work, it should be done—if needed—before manuscript editing begins."
NOTE: Contact PleasantValleyPress.net to discuss whether or not we are able to offer developmental editing for your manuscript. If we are unable to, we suggest hiring a professional ghostwriter or an editor who can undertake your project. While our editor is qualified to do the work, it can be very time-consuming, depending on the scope of the project. Requests will be considered on an individual basis.
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