Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice #243. What to Expect When Working with a Line Editor (With Two Birds Author Services)
What does line editing actually involve, and is your manuscript ready for it? Here's everything you need to know.
Line editing is a stage in the revision process that can feel really confusing, especially if you're not sure how it's different from developmental editing, copy editing, or proofreading.
So in today's episode, I brought in two people who know this topic inside and out. Andrea and Michelle are the managing partners of Two Birds Author Services, and they've been editing fiction together since 2018. They've worked with many writers from my own community, and I've seen firsthand how their feedback helps authors not only polish their current manuscript but grow as writers for every book that comes after.
They break down exactly what line editing is, how to know when your manuscript is ready for it, what to look for when you're searching for an editor, and what the process typically looks like from start to finish.
We also get into the most common sentence-level mistakes they see—things like clarity issues, weak word choices, and inconsistent rhythm—and how you can start addressing those in your own writing before you even hire an editor.
Here's what we cover:
[04:30] What line editing actually is, why it's not proofreading, and exactly where it fits in the novel revision process.
[07:07] How to find a line editor who's the right fit for your book and why always requesting a free sample edit before you commit is so important.
[17:05] Worried a line editor will change your voice? Here's how Andrea and Michelle make sure every suggestion stays true to your style.
[21:41] The three most common mistakes line editors catch in fiction manuscripts and how to start fixing them in your own writing.
[28:42] How sentence length and structure control your novel's pacing and why this matters more than most writers realize.
Whether you're getting ready to hand off your manuscript or just curious about what happens at this stage of the process, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need.
And if this episode got you thinking about where your manuscript actually stands before it gets to a line editor, my 5-Day Revision Accelerator is the perfect next step.
In just five days, you'll learn how to evaluate your manuscript, identify what's not working at the big-picture level, and walk away with a clear revision plan—so that when you do hand your manuscript off to a line editor, it's actually ready for that level of work. Sign up using the link below.
🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:
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