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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Editing

Editing

Different Types of Editors – Guest Post by Jamie Lapeyrolerie

By Guest Bloggeron February 10, 2025
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We are very glad to have Jamie Lapeyrolerie be our guest today. We have worked together on several projects in her position as an editor for Waterbrook & Multnomah, a division of Penguin Random House. She is also a writer and actively involved in the publishing industry, including The Christy Award® Advisory Board and ECPA’s PubU. Her writings have appeared in Christianity Today, Christ and Pop Culture, and Ekstasis Magazine. You can find her bookish and editorial writings here, her C.S. Lewis and Tolkien substack here, and on Instagram @musingsofjamie. Welcome, Jamie!


When people find out I’m an editor, nearly 100% of the time people say something along the lines of “Oh, so you read all the time?” I don’t mind when people do, and it breaks the ice; but sadly that isn’t the case. Far from it. Not only because editing is nothing like reading for fun (we work to get it to that final stage), but there are also so many different plates and things editors balance and do during a workday. That would be the dream to be able to spend most of the day editing; but, alas, emails, meetings, launches, and everything in between await.

Like my post about ways to get into publishing as a career, there are many options when it comes to editorial work. I thought I’d share a few with you today. Each publishing house (and even imprint) do things differently, so it may look different depending on where you go. At some places there might be individual acquisitions editors and developmental and line editors; others have one person responsible for all. That’s the way we handle it: We acquire and edit (dev and line) and champion the project the whole way through and even after it goes on sale. It’s a joy to be able to partner with authors that way.

So here you go. Do any stick out to you as something you’d want to do? Lean into your strengths! I’m forever thankful for my copyeditors and proofreaders. I will say that every chance I get. Also, many of these can be done as freelance, working directly with authors or publishing houses.

  1. Acquisitions Editor: This person acquires new manuscripts and book projects. This is often done by working with literary agents, but also following trends and finding up-and-coming voices or fresh ideas for established and trusted voices.
  2. Developmental Editor: Also known as a substantive editor, this step focuses on the big picture elements of a manuscript, such as structure, plot, character development (in fiction), and pacing. This tends to be the biggest revision work for the author as well, as they shape and implement all the feedback from the editor. There are usually different levels for editors in this space as well (i.e., associate editor, editor, executive, senior, etc).
  3. Line Editor: This process is going line by line to improve the writing style, clarity, and flow. These editors focus on sentence structure, word choice, and overall readability. And yes, sometimes line edits can sneak in during developmental stage because some editors (me) can’t resist.
  4. Copy Editor: Shout out to every single one of these! This editor focuses on grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency. They also make sure the manuscript is in line with the publisher’s style guide and correct any errors in the text. They also catch things that slipped through the first couple of rounds (like matching dates).
  5. Proofreader: We love you proofreaders! Proofreaders are another very helpful set of final eyes on a manuscript before it goes to print. They check for any remaining typographical errors, formatting issues, and other minor mistakes that may have been missed in previous editing stages.
  6. Managing Editor: This editor oversees the entire editorial process, coordinating between different departments (such as design, production, and marketing) to ensure that the book is completed on schedule and meets the publisher’s standards.
  7. Production Editor: For some imprints, a production editor also acts as the managing editor. So they are handling a lot! They manage the production process, ensuring that the manuscript is properly formatted and prepared for printing. They may also handle the coordination of ebook versions and other digital formats. And they are saints because we dev editors are always asking for an extension to our deadlines.
  8. Editorial Assistant: Queens and kings that keep us sane! They are helpful with so many details and processes, and we’d be lost without them.

There really are so many options with every role in publishing. Plenty of positions to try and shoot for.

© 2025 Jamie Lapeyrolerie

Be sure to subscribe to her “Musings of Jamie” substack posts at https://musingsofjamie.substack.com.

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Category: Editing, Guest Post

Things My Editor Does That I Take for Granted

By Steve Laubeon October 21, 2024
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“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you, and we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” – Arthur Plotnik “No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else’s draft.” – H.G. Wells You editor is someone with a special skill set. One that is often described as being intrusive, overbearing, heavy-handed, and just …

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Category: Book Business, Editing

Today Is a Great Day to (re)Write

By Steve Laubeon May 6, 2024
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James Michener, the bestselling novelist, once said, “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” And today is your day to follow suit. No one knows your work or what you are trying to accomplish better than you. In that sense, you can be your own best editor. In a 1958 interview with The Paris Review, Ernest Hemingway was asked, “How much rewriting do you do?” Hemingway replied, …

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Category: Craft, Editing, Writing CraftTag: Editing, Writing Craft

Silencing Your Inner Critic

By Megan Brownon May 1, 2024
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Picture this. The cursor blinks incessantly on the blank screen, a stark reminder that the well of creativity is beyond empty. You sit there, fingers poised over the keyboard; but no words come. Instead, your inner critic begins its relentless assault, questioning your ability to be creative and casting doubt on your worth as a writer. It’s enough to make you wonder if slamming your face …

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Category: Editing, The Writing Life

E Is for Editor

By Steve Laubeon October 2, 2023
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Your editor can be your best friend in the industry (besides your agent, of course). Or your editor can be your worst enemy. Bad Side First An editor who doesn’t reply to your email inquiries or return your phone calls is either ignoring you on purpose or is so busy with other pressing matters they can’t get to yours. If you have this problem, make sure you didn’t create it in …

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Category: Book Business, Career, Editing, Publishing A-Z, Writing CraftTag: Editing, Editors

I Did Not Finish Reading Your Book

By Steve Laubeon May 15, 2023
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In the past year, have you started reading a fiction or nonfiction book and did not finish it? I have. Many times. There are a lot of reasons for this to happen. Here are a few examples. Fiction: I didn’t care about your characters. The plot fizzled. The story became ridiculous and unrealistic. It was too easy to put down. Or, in other words, it was forgettable. Nonfiction: It became …

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Category: Craft, Creativity, Editing, Writing CraftTag: Books, Craft, Writing Craft

Working With Editors

By Guest Bloggeron December 8, 2022
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Today’s guest post is from Cindy K. Sproles. She is a novelist, editor, speaker, and conference director. She suffers under the literary guidance of Bob Hostetler. Hopefully, she will be rewarded for her patience someday. Find out more at CindySproles.com. ____________________ Our penned words are our prized possessions. Once a contract is received, our work goes to the editors. Despite our …

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Category: Editing

You Might Not Like My Edits

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 10, 2022
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Just for fun, here’s an edited (see how I did that!) version of a conversation I had with one of my adult daughters after she sent me a short document she wanted me to check. Daughter: Have you finished yet? Me: I’m fiddling with it. Daughter: Oh no! Don’t do that. I just want you to look at it. Me: But … Daughter: I knew you were going to over-edit it. When I was in elementary school, I would …

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Category: Editing

Line Editing

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 2, 2022
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Today’s post is the second installment of definitions about different types of editing. If line editing, that means someone “fixing” the craft. Sometimes I receive submissions from authors who need more practice in craft. That’s okay! Even the most experienced authors can improve. However, once we’ve agreed to work together, you’ll know that I believe you have mastered craft and that your work is …

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Category: Editing

Developmental and Copy Editing

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 20, 2022
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Last week, I shared a few thoughts on how I edit manuscripts very little, if at all. But rest assured, when you work with me, you are not alone. Using definitions of different types of editing offered by Steve Laube, I’ll explain my process over the next two blog posts. If developmental editing, that means someone “fixing” the story. Like most writers, I call this “brainstorming” with authors. …

Read moreDevelopmental and Copy Editing
Category: Editing
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