You hired an editor. You did not get what you needed.
The misdiagnosisThe misdiagnosis is that editor X was bad. That you should have shopped harder.
The real diagnosisYou hired the wrong type. Editing is not one job. It is four. Each fixes a different problem at a different stage. Hire the wrong one and you spend money on the wrong problem.
Four Editor Types
| Type | Hire When | Fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental | First or second full draft | Structure, plot, character |
| Line | Polished draft | Sentence-level voice and clarity |
| Copy | Almost-final draft | Grammar, consistency, style |
| Proofread | Typeset proof | Typos only |
Three Tells You're In The Wrong Editor Stage
- You hired a copy editor and got 'this plot doesn't work.'
- You hired a developmental editor and got commas.
- You hired a line editor and the structure was still broken.
The right editor at the wrong stage is the wrong editor.
Be honest about which stage your draft is in. If you’re not sure, you need a dev editor. Or a coach.
The dare (not assignment)Diagnose your draft's stage. Match it to the editor type. Save yourself a thousand dollars.
Image promptA row of red pens on a clean desk, each labeled with a small handwritten tag — Dev, Line, Copy, Proof. Painterly. Cream and pink. No people.
— The Book Maven
