What Does a Line Editor Do? (With Real Examples)
- Iris Marsh
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Table of Contents
Ever wonder what a line editor actually does when they sit down with your manuscript?
In short: a line editor helps you revise your prose for clarity, rhythm, and emotional impact while preserving your voice. It’s about making your story sound just right.
But here’s the thing…
Every line editor works a little differently. Line editing is one of the most subjective forms of editing because there are usually multiple ways to revise a sentence. Even if two editors agree that a verb is weak or filters need to go, how they revise it might differ completely.
That’s why editing samples exist—and why you should always ask for one before booking an editor. You want to make sure their style matches your vibe.
When you’re self-publishing your books, you need to figure out the entire editing process on your own. And if you’ve never worked with an editor before, it can all be a bit daunting.
What can you reasonably expect for a line editor? What does an edited manuscript look like?
Since I’ve worked as a line editor for over five years, I can shed some light on those questions, so you’ll no longer feel like you’re walking blind.
I will answer those questions and more below, including what a line editor focuses on (like word choice and POV), what their workflow may look like, and what you might receive once the edit is done.
At the end, I’ve also included a walkthrough where you can see me edit a short passage with explanations.
By the end of it, you’ll have no more doubts about how a professional line edit can help your book.
What Does Line Editing Include?
Line editing focuses on your prose: the sentences and paragraphs that shape your story’s tone, voice, and pacing.
Those strings of words and sentences evoke emotion and imagery, make us connect to fictional people, and draw us into the story’s world. Or at least, they should.
Your reader might not notice every line-level tweak, but they’ll definitely feel the difference.
One self-help author I worked with had a very distinct voice—she loved using repetition and sentence fragments. Only she used it a bit too often, which mitigates the effect. I helped her streamline it by keeping the repetition and fragments in places where it sharpens the message and recasting the rest.
Now, those places draw the reader’s attention exactly necessary.
A line editor helps you:
improve sentence rhythm and word flow
refine word choice for tone and meaning
ensure your character and narrator voices stay consistent
strengthen emotional resonance and readability.
And no, a good line editor won’t erase your voice. Their job is to elevate it.
What you typically get with a line edit:
tracked changes in Word so you can review every revision
margin comments to explain reasoning or highlight questions
queries for anything vague, contradictory, or unclear
no big rewrites or rearranging scenes; that’s developmental editing territory.
If your editor spots structural issues mid-edit, they should check in with you before proceeding. You’re still the author.
Line editing is often combined with copyediting. This is especially common in nonfiction, where line editing as a standalone service isn’t always offered. It’s usually called “heavy copyediting.”
I combine both in my own services too because they operate on the same level: the sentence. And there’s a lot of overlap.
What Does a Line Editor Actually Look At?
Here are a few key areas I (and most line editors) focus on:
word choice: is the word clear, specific, and emotionally resonant?
rhythm: do the sentences flow naturally or feel clunky or repetitive?
point of view consistency: are we staying grounded in the right character’s experience?
pacing: are fast scenes bogged down by internal monologue or filler?
dialogue: do characters sound distinct? Do beats and tags enhance or clutter?
clarity & logic: do actions, thoughts, and descriptions follow a logical order?
There’s more, of course, but these are the most common.
In a recent romantasy novel, the author used good, evocative descriptions, but they were removed from her POV choice. Especially words like “try” nullified her prose. A few quick adjustments made all the difference, drawing the reader deeper into the POVs experience and world.
I tend to focus more on the emotional cadence of the story as well as the imagery, especially in genres like fantasy where we want to draw readers into the world and create that sense of wonder.
How Does a Line Editor Work?
Every editor has their own process, but here’s a general idea of what it looks like behind the scenes:
Cold read: we read your manuscript through to understand the story, tone, and characters.
Assessment of your voice: we assess your writing voice: punchy or poetic? Metaphorical or minimalist? Does it align with your genre?
Assessment of character voices: each main character should sound distinct. We pay attention to dialogue tone, emotional beats, and consistency. What kind of background shines through? Are they sincere when they talk? Casual or formal?
The edit: each editor has a different workflow. This may happen in one or two passes. Some tackle global issues first, then fix the smaller errors. Others go line by line. It doesn’t really matter for you, as the end result will still be visibly revised sentences with comments.
Finalizing the manuscript and deliverables: you’ll often receive a summary explaining the most common changes and suggestions for ongoing improvement.
We may also email questions along the way for clarification or to give an update on the progress. So keep an eye on your inbox!
What Will You Get From a Line Editor?
Deliverables can vary, so always confirm before you book. Here’s what I personally include in my line editing service (Curious? Learn more here!):
Tracked-changes document with all edits and comments. Every editor will give you this, of course. You can review the edits and address any comments.
Clean version with changes accepted. This can be helpful in reading the document.
Editorial letter that summarizes the changes and provides you with next-step advice. Usually, you’ll also get some recommended resources to build your skills further.
Style sheet containing the style rules, character details, timeline, spelling rules, and more. These are more common when the edit is combined with copyediting.
Additional pass for small tweaks or new material (within limits). Not all editors will offer this.
Some editors may not offer all of these, and that’s okay! The goal is to find someone whose process fits your needs.
When you receive your edits, it can feel overwhelming. You’ll see a lot of red and blue from the tracked edits.
It might even make you feel like you’re a “bad” writer. This is absolutely not the case!
These edits are mere suggestions to help you refine the story you’ve already worked so hard on. See it as a learning opportunity: a masterclass in writing better prose.
I always advise clients to view the edits, then leave it for a day or two to let it sit. This lets most of the emotion drop so you can look at the suggestions again with a clear mind.
You don’t have to agree with everything the editor suggests. You might even come up with better alternatives!
Line Editing in Action: Real Examples
So far we’ve talked about what a line editor does. But what does a line edit look like in practice?
If you prefer to watch, I walk through a full example in this video.
Otherwise, here is the screenshot of the line edit with some of the explanations below (you will get more if you watch the video).
Tip: Read for Voice and Point of View
Before touching a single word, I always read the scene through with fresh eyes. This helps me get a feel for the author’s voice, the POV (point of view), and any patterns in tone, phrasing, or pacing.
In this example, the story is written in third person limited, which means the narrator closely follows one character’s thoughts and feelings but is still separate from them.
It’s not quite as close as deep POV, but it still requires a certain consistency in voice and perspective.
Example 1: Replace Weak Verbs With Specific Ones
Original:
“Aelena moved through the grove…”
Edited:
“Aelena trudged through the grove…”
Why? “Moved” is vague; it doesn’t show us how she’s moving. Is she creeping? Stumbling? Striding with purpose?
Swapping it for a stronger verb like “trudged” adds meaning and tone based on context (icy morning, slow pace).
Example 2: Clarify Vague Phrasing
Original:
“She felt the pull of the stone hidden in her pocket, warm against the bite and cold.”
This raises questions: Is the pull magical? Emotional? Literal?
So I queried the author for clarification. They can then revise with intent, and I can check their revision in the additional pass.
When phrases are fuzzy, readers can’t connect. In this case, it’s up to the author to provide more clarity so that I can check it again.
Example 3: Reorder for Logic and Flow
Sometimes editing is about rearranging rather than rewriting. This is often the case with stage direction and clarifying the flow of movement and senses.
If this doesn’t make sense, it’s a POV issue.
Original:
Description of the trees comes before the character scans the grove.
Edited:
She scanned the grove. The surrounding trees creaked with the weight of the snow, their bare limbs tangled together above her like the fingers of sleeping giants. Nothing looked different.
Now the scan comes first. Then we describe what she sees. This respects POV logic and flow.
Example 4: Show, Don’t Tell
Original:
“She hesitated before touching it.”
Edited suggestion:
“She reached out her hand, let it hover above the stone.”
“Hesitated” tells us something without showing how it looks or feels. The revised version shows hesitation through action. Of course, I queried the editor in case they want to go with a different phrasing.
Tip: read Janice Hardy's Understanding Show, Don't Tell book.
Do You Need a Line Editor?
If you’ve already handled your developmental revisions and your structure is solid, then yes—a line edit is one of the most valuable steps you can invest in.
I believe that having a quality product is still important. It’ll lead to better reviews and more readers (so more money for you).
A good line edit will transform your book. Your prose becomes emotionally powerful. Your voice sharpens. Your story feels real.
If a full edit isn’t in your budget, you can absolutely self-edit with the right tools (and I’ve got posts to help!). Or take advantage of my line writing assessment to self-edit like a pro!
But if you do have the means? Hiring a skilled freelance line editor can take your book from “good” to unforgettable.
Because even if you’re great at revising, you’re still close to your work. A line editor sees what you can’t.
FAQ: Line Editing for New Authors
1. When should I get a line edit?
After developmental edits (or structural revisions) are complete. This means your plot and pacing should already be set. Check out my article here for more guidance on when your manuscript is ready.
2. Will a line editor change my writing voice?
A good one won’t: preserving your voice is key in line editing. Always check a sample edit to see if an editor overedits your voice or not.
3. I’ve self-edited my work. Do I still need a line editor?
Self-editing is a great start, and you definitely should revise your own work. However, you’re often too close to catch everything. Professional editors see what you can’t and have the skills to improve your language.
4. How much does a line edit cost?
This varies based on your manuscript length and complexity, and every editor prices their services differently. You can get a sense of the cost in this article. Most editors offer free samples and give you a quote so you know what you’re in for before you commit.