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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Guest Post

Guest Post

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

A Scrivener Flunky Weighs In – Guest Post

By Guest Bloggeron September 30, 2024
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A Guest Post by Deborah Raney Deborah Raney’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Thirty years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she’s still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. A RITA and ACFW Carol Award winner and three-time Christy Award finalist, Deb is represented by our agency.  She is …

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Category: Book Business, Guest Post, Technology, Writing CraftTag: Scrivener, Technology

Fun Fridays – ‘Twas the Night Before Deadline’

By Steve Laubeon December 22, 2023
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Enjoy this Christmas Fun Friday guest post written by Frank Ball a number of years ago. Frank is a great friend to all writers, having mentored hundreds of them over the years. (Visit his personal website here.) With his permission I changed the title a little and the opening line to fit today’s theme. ‘Twas the Night Before Deadline ‘Twas the night before deadline, when all …

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Category: Fun Fridays, Guest Post

Things That Work to Help Your Book Work

By Guest Bloggeron March 8, 2023
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Today’s guest post is by Jane Jenkins Herlong, who is a Sirius XM Southern humorist and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame. She is the author of five books. In the spring of this year, Jane’s latest book, Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South (Tyndale) will be available in select Cracker Barrel restaurants throughout the county. She is represented by Bob Hostetler. _________________ …

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Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing Life

The Happy Writer

By Guest Bloggeron December 2, 2021
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Today’s guest post is by Courtney Ellis, author of the recently released Happy Now: Let Playfulness Lift Your Load and Renew Your Spirit. Courtney is one of Bob Hostetler’s clients and lives with her husband and three children in southern California. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. ____________________________ There’s no cliché for a cheerful writer. We all know the …

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Category: Guest Post, The Writing Life

Your Words Can Be More Powerful Than Technology

By Guest Bloggeron April 15, 2021
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Today’s guest post is by Laura L. Smith. She is a best-selling author and speaker who lives in the picturesque college town of Oxford, Ohio, where you’ll find her running the wooded trails, strolling the brick streets, teaching Bible study at her local church, shopping at the Saturday morning farmer’s market, or going on a sunset walk with her husband and four kids. Her latest title, How …

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Category: Craft, Guest Post, Writing Craft

Coming Full Circle

By Guest Bloggeron February 17, 2021
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by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Today's guest blog is from Kim Vogel Sawyer a best-selling author whose books have topped the sales charts and won awards since 2005, when she left her elementary school teaching job to write full time. Her books have won the Carol Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Her stories are designed to offer hope and …

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Category: Career, Get Published, Guest Post, Inspiration, TamelaTag: Career, Get Published, Inspiration

The Power of the Short Story

By Guest Bloggeron January 14, 2021
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Today’s guest writer is Deborah Clack, who is a native Texan and nonrecovering chocolate addict. A high-school AP history teacher for 10 years, Deborah earned a master’s degree in education and was awarded Teacher of the Year for Arts in Education. Now she creates award-winning stories of her own with endearing characters and a hard-fought romance. She asks her heroines, as well as her …

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Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: short story

Give Thanks to God

By Guest Bloggeron November 23, 2020
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There is a verse in scripture which sets out in bold relief the great besetting problem of the human race. It is Romans 1:21: ‘for even though we knew God…we did not give thanks.’ Astonishing! How can we actually know God and not give thanks? Scarcely a day passes in which we are not deluged by at least a hundred instances of God’s goodness to us. Thanksgiving ought to be the most natural of human …

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Category: Guest Post, TheologyTag: thanksgiving

Real vs. Fictitious Settings

By Guest Bloggeron May 23, 2019
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Today’s guest post is from our client Mindy Obenhaus. She is a three-time Carol Award nominee who writes contemporary romance. Mindy is passionate about touching readers with biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com. …

Read moreReal vs. Fictitious Settings
Category: Craft, Guest Post, The Writing Life, Writing Craft
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