Authored by Madelyn Huff, UNG Press Intern
The editing process can seem daunting for beginners. I remember learning about each stage in an Introduction to Publishing course; I quickly found out that mastering any stage of editing would take much practice and learning from others! Regardless of where your knowledge on editing stands, it is important to note that each stage of the editing process focuses on a specific aspect of a manuscript. While different in responsibilities, each stage functions to make a manuscript the best it can be! This article will take a closer look at the second stage in the editing process, line editing.
What is Line Editing?
Line editing functions almost exactly as it sounds. Editors examine a manuscript at the sentence level, or line-by-line, in order to improve “clarity, tone, and readability” (Cambridge Proofreading). Editors offer suggestions on tone, syntax, or word choice as a way to enhance the author’s original voice and message of the text (Reedsy Editorial Team). Line editing can improve a manuscript if it is strong in overall structure but needs “language and style refinement” (Cambridge Proofreading).
Line editing follows developmental editing and precedes copyediting and proofreading in the four editing stages. Commonly, the functions and benefits of line editing and copyediting get a bit fuddled as many authors or industry beginners are not familiar with what exactly makes the two stages distinct. One way to distinguish between the two is to remember that copyediting is focused on technical components of the writing while line editing focuses on stylistic elements (Cambridge Proofreading).
The Author-Line Editor Relationship
It is understandable that some authors may fear the editing process at first; it can be scary to place your work in someone else’s hands. However, line editors have a particular responsibility to ensure that the manuscript remains in the author’s voice and keeps their original intent. Too many edits that at first seem harmless can turn a submission into a completely different manuscript!
That same Introduction to Publishing course I mentioned at this article’s beginning taught me about the relationship between line editors and authors. I learned that line editors communicate with authors through queries posed within the manuscript. These queries can note when an editor does not understand a passage, needs more context, makes a significant deletion (around one sentence or more), or if they are concerned that an edit changes the author’s original meaning too much. Queries allow for an author to see the changes being made to their manuscript while establishing a space where author input is welcomed and appreciated by the line editor.
Final Thoughts
Line editing entails an intensive and detailed dive into a manuscript. Editors must maintain a special balance between their improvements and the author’s intent and voice. With attention to clarity, readability, and overall tone, line editors help to get a manuscript to its best version before production begins.
Works Cited
“What Is Line Editing.” Cambridge Proofreading, 25 Nov. 2024, proofreading.org/learning-center/what-is-line-editing/.
Reedsy Editorial Team. “What Is Line Editing and How Can It Help Your Book?” Edited by Martin Cavannagh, ReedsyBlog, Reedsy, 21 Oct. 2025, reedsy.com/blog/line-editing/.
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