Editors do it all. Their primary job is to take the words and turn them into your final product, but editors also manage projects and hire the writers and other contractors. In fact, the editorial function is so broad that many editors are specialists:

• Developmental editors (also called “substantive,” “structural,” or “content” editors) deal with content, organization, and genre considerations. After reviewing a manuscript, they may provide an overall critique of the content in a “manuscript evaluation,” or they may provide the author with a revision (or “editorial” or “edit”) letter that outlines the big-picture issues and offers suggestions for how to address them.
• Line editors work at the sentence or paragraph level of a manuscript. Like copyeditors,they correct errors, but their main focus is on improving the language and style of the text. Line editing may be performed as a separate service, in conjunction with developmental editing after big-picture issues have been addressed, or in conjunction with copyediting.
• The role of the copyeditor is as broad as it is important. Copyeditors correct spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation, check cross-references, and prepare the style sheets that guide consistency and accuracy across the manuscript.

Writers create the text for everything composed of the written word: books, magazine articles, web content, blog posts, technical manuals, advertising and catalogue copy, speeches, dissertations, newsletter articles, annual reports, and much more. Writing is the foundation of all other editorial work. Once text is written, the editorial process begins.

Proofreaders check the text for errors, including typographical errors and problems with typesetting specifications and page makeup. They compare the latest stage of the project to earlier stages and make sure changes have been made correctly.

A beta reader is an individual who reviews a book manuscript, offering feedback to the author, and identifying errors, plot issues, inconsistencies, or unclear sections in the manuscript.  They serve as a test audience, representing the target readership, and can provide insights on overused tropes or missing elements. Additionally, beta readers with expertise in the subject matter can be consulted. Although beta readers need not be professional editors, many of our member editors offer beta reading services. However, the process of beta reading should not replace the other elements of the editing process.

Coaches and consultants work with clients to develop, refine, or complete works in progress. This amorphous field covers everything from inspiration and encouragement to practical advice. Coaching is often done at the beginning of a project, to get things off the ground, or midway through a stuck project to get things going again. The term “consulting” often also applies to the help clients receive in navigating procedures and processes related to publishing, printing, or production.

Curriculum developers work with educators and producers of educational materials to help organize these materials and prepare them for use in the classroom. Ideally, those working in curriculum development have training and experience in education at the relevant grade level and knowledge of applicable curriculum standards.

Desktop and digital publishers use desktop software or online platforms to prepare written material for publishing. They produce publication-ready material by taking finalized text and creating a design, laying out pages, formatting text, and incorporating any illustrations or graphics. Desktop publishers produce print material (books, brochures, flyers) and digital publishers produce material to be distributed electronically (blogs, ebooks, enewsletters).

Indexers create the index—an alphabetical list of references to important terms and concepts in the text. This work is usually done near the end of the project when the final layout is available.

Marketing and promotion specialists work with authors to publicize their work. This may include developing marketing and promotion strategies; creating press releases, media kits, and the like; or producing marketing collateral such as print and electronic ads, postcards, and bookmarks, coffee mugs, and other swag to give away. These specialists may also help authors develop their public platforms through work on websites, social media, blogs, and podcasts.

Permissions editors verify the copyright status and ownership of works requiring permission to republish (written material or images whose copyright is held by someone other than the author) and either advise the author on how to obtain these permissions or acquire the necessary permissions on behalf of the author.

Project managers focus on projects that are already in the production workflow (as opposed to those still in the initial or developmental stages) and work to push the project toward completion. They may supervise and coordinate the editorial process and, when necessary, hire copyeditors, proofreaders, indexers, and other editorial professionals. In some fields, this position is referred to as “managing editor” or “production editor.”

Researchers and fact-checkers find information to support the writing of a work or to verify information already supplied by the writer or editor. Fact-checkers review a manuscript and confirm the veracity of each statement that is claimed as an assertion of fact. While incidental fact-checking may occur during the editing process, this is a deeper level of scrutiny. Research and fact-checking are particularly important and common in journalism and historical writing (especially in fiction and narrative nonfiction, as opposed to scholarly writing).

Sensitivity/Authenticity readers review a manuscript for statements, portrayals, or perspectives that might offend, upset, or misrepresent people from a given group. Sensitivity/Authenticity reads are generally performed by members of the community referenced within the work. The purpose is to avoid misrepresentation of groups and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

Transcriptionists listen to audio recordings, such as interviews, speeches, phone meetings, and dictations, and convert them into long-form text. They are often responsible for reviewing their written work for accuracy, spelling, and grammar. In specialized fields, transcriptionists might convert medical or legal records into written reports.

Translators re-create a work, published or unpublished, from one language into another, or review a translation for overall consistency or tone as well as accuracy.