Definition of editorial terms
Below are my definitions for the terms I use on my services page. Since these definitions can vary a bit person-to-person, I want to ensure you know exactly what to expect from me.
Developmental editing
This is a type of structural editing that addresses the big picture problems in your book, such as:
- plot
- theme
- setting
- characters
- tone
- overall rhyme scheme and meter
I give my feedback in the form of an editorial letter as well as comments made directly in the manuscript. No edits are made to the text itself.
Line editing
This is a combination of stylistic editing and copyediting, addressing line-by-line issues such as:
- word choice
- language
- sentence structure
- spelling and grammar
- consistency
- rhyme and meter within individual lines
I give my feedback through adding comments to the manuscript as well as making suggested edits to the text.
Editorial letter
Created as part of developmental editing, an editorial letter is a detailed document that explains what you’ve done well with your manuscript, what needs work, and what my recommendations are to improve it. I also include information on the common features of picture books, considerations for illustrations and art notes, and (in the case of rhyming manuscripts) an analysis of the rhyme, meter, and structure of your text.
How it works
If you’ve never worked with an editor before, you may be wondering how the whole process works. Here is a general description of the steps we’ll go through and what to expect at each stage.
Free consultation
The first step is for us to spend some time discussing your project so we can make sure we’re a good fit for each other. I will ask you some questions about your manuscript so I can learn more about your writing, your goals, and the services you require. This can take the form of an email questionnaire or a video call, whichever works best for you. For chapter books, I will also look at a sample of your book to get a feel for what your needs are. At the end of this process, I’ll discuss with you what level of editing I feel your manuscript would benefit from, the cost of that service, and a timeline for when we can start the editing process.
Booking me
If you decide to hire me, I will send you a contract to sign detailing the services we’ve agreed upon and their cost. For picture books, I request full payment before I begin the editing process. For chapter books, I request 50% up front and the rest after I deliver the final round of edits. If this payment schedule doesn’t work for you, I’m happy to discuss alternate arrangements.
Editing
After the contract and initial payments have been received, editing begins! Exactly what this looks like will vary depending on the project and the level of editing needed. Generally speaking, though, I will take your manuscript and perform either developmental or line editing. I will then return it to you with instructions on how to address my recommendations, and we’ll agree on a timeline for you to return your revisions to me.
Throughout this process, I’m also happy to discuss your publishing goals and answer questions on how you can achieve them. In some cases, I can also advise you on the various steps of the self-publishing process.
FAQs
Here are the answers to some of my most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that isn’t covered here, send me a message and I’ll be happy to answer it!
Should I go for traditional publishing, or should I self-publish?
The answer to this depends on your personal goals for your book, and on your budget. Getting your book traditionally published gives it a certain level of validation and will expose your book to audiences you may struggle to reach on your own. You also get paid to produce your book. The biggest detriment to this route is that it’s extremely competitive, with no guarantee that you will find a publisher to take your manuscript. You also have to sign over the rights to your book, and you have less control over the final product.
With self-publishing, you keep all the rights to your book and have full control over the end product. You also guarantee that your book gets published. The downside is that you are responsible for all of the costs. For books that contain only text, or for authors who are also illustrators, these costs can be fairly minimal. However, if you want to produce a high-quality book, you should strongly consider hiring at least an editor and either an illustrator (for picture books) or a cover designer (for text-based books). You may also want to hire a typesetter if you are not comfortable doing the layout yourself.
Should I write my picture book in rhyme or prose?
It depends on the book! Some stories work well in rhyme, while others do not. Try writing your book both ways and see which one feels more natural.
Your publishing goals may affect this decision as well. Publishers tend to prefer picture books written in prose, and some do not accept rhyming books at all. So, if you want to pursue traditional publishing, prose might be the better choice.
Another factor you may want to consider is whether you want your book to be translated to different languages. Rhyming books can be translated, but obviously it’s a lot harder than with prose books.
Finally, parents and children alike enjoy rhyming books—when they’re done well. If you want to write a rhyming picture book, make sure you understand the nuances of rhyme, meter, and poetic structure (or contact me for a consultation).
Can I use AI to generate images instead of hiring an illustrator.
You can, but I strongly recommend against it. For one, using AI for picture book illustrations is a controversial subject. People may have negative reactions to your book solely because you used AI, without even looking at the book itself.
The other reason I recommend against it is that a professional illustrator will enhance your book in ways that AI cannot. Good picture books have fun details in the illustrations that children can discover while listening to the story—things that are relevant to the text, such as what side characters are doing in the background, not just random additions. Achieving that same effect with AI is nearly impossible.
In a picture book, the illustrations are just as important as the text. As much as hiring an illustrator is going to be a significant expense, it’s worth every penny.
Have you written a book?
I have! I’ve written a prose picture book based on an experience I had with my daughter. I will likely be self-publishing it in late 2025.