Kristen’s content editing process

I start each content edit with a full read of the manuscript. I make occasional comments on the draft at this stage, but mostly I am writing notes, tracking my experience as a reader, and taking notes for chapter summaries and other elements of the story spreadsheet.

After my first read, I flesh out the story spreadsheet, organize my notes, and start thinking through the strengths and weaknesses of the book. I have a long list of questions I walk through for every book. (For example, does the book start in the right place? Does the setting come to life? Does the plot have a strong narrative arc?) I then make an edit plan for myself, listing topics I want to cover in the editorial letter and/or manuscript comments.

At this point, I start reading the manuscript again from the top and begin drafting the editorial letter. During this second read-through, I add specific comments to the manuscript that support my advice in the editorial letter and make it concrete. I also note smaller issues that need revision.

Along the way, I often dip into books the author lists as influences or comps (other books their ideal readers are likely to be reading), and I also add any specific resources or additional comps to the project Trello board for the author to take a look at.

At the end of the project, the author receives the manuscript with my comments, a copy of the story spreadsheet, and the editorial letter. We schedule a call to discuss my advice, or consult over email. After getting a sense of the scope of recommended revisions, the author and I decide on the next steps, usually workshopping the first few chapters together.

Kristen’s copyediting process

Before starting the edit, I send authors a questionnaire to find out about their preferences on details like commas and dash styles. For most projects, I set up the style sheet for the book as well as a Google doc for notes. Once I start the edit, I run every sentence through a series of questions and checks:

• Does it fit the logic of the paragraph / chapter / story or argument? If not, I add a comment about why, along with revision suggestions.

• Is the phrasing clunky or cloudy? If so, I add a comment suggesting one or more possible revisions of the sentence.

• Does it follow standard grammar and usage rules? If not, I make corrections using Track Changes. If I see a pattern of problems (for example, misusing semicolons), I will explain the applicable rule.

• Does it follow Chicago style? (For example, are numbers up to one hundred spelled out?) If not, I make corrections using Track Changes.

• Are all words spelled correctly? I correct obvious typos and look up words I need to check, often compounds or hyphenated words (backseat or back-seat or back seat)? I make corrections using Track Changes and add any words I looked up to the style sheet.

• Are there any proper nouns or basic facts that need to be confirmed? I comment on any problems and/or add fact-checked proper nouns to the style sheet.

• For fiction, are there any character or timeline details that need to be added to the style sheet? I comment on any inconsistencies that need to be addressed.

• If I have questions about a style preference of anything else, I add it to the project Trello board for the author to answer.

After I’ve given every sentence in the manuscript this level of scrutiny, I clean up and organize the style sheet and make any changes needed in the manuscript in response to the author’s input on questions. For fiction, I run through the timeline I’ve created on the style sheet to check again for any problems.

Finally, I email the copyedited manuscript and a draft of the style sheet and add copies to the Trello project board. I answer questions about the edit via email or a project call and consult with the author on the timing of the next round, if necessary.