These two terms get used loosely, and the confusion is not the author’s fault, publishers and freelance editors do not always use identical labels either. But the underlying distinction is consistent: one stage is about whether the book works as a whole, and the other is about whether the sentences carry it well.
This guide compares them directly, with fiction, memoir and non-fiction examples, so you can work out which one your manuscript actually needs first.
Developmental editing vs copy editing: a side-by-side comparison
| Area | Developmental editing | Copy editing |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Structure, plot, argument, pacing, character | Sentences, grammar, consistency, style |
| When it happens | Before the manuscript is considered final | Once structure is largely settled |
| Typical output | An editorial letter and/or annotated manuscript with big-picture feedback | A line-edited manuscript and a style sheet |
| Changes involved | Can mean cutting, reordering or rewriting whole sections | Sentence-level rewording, not restructuring |
| Risk of skipping | Structural problems reach readers unaddressed | Clunky, inconsistent or unclear prose reaches readers |
What does developmental editing actually cover?
Developmental editing looks at whether the book works at the level readers experience first: does the plot hold together, does the argument build logically, do characters behave consistently, does pacing keep momentum, and does the structure serve the story or argument rather than fighting it. It usually results in an editorial letter, sometimes alongside annotated notes in the manuscript itself. See what is developmental editing? for a fuller explanation.
What does copy editing actually cover?
Copy editing works sentence by sentence and paragraph by paragraph, correcting grammar and punctuation, tightening unclear phrasing, and enforcing consistency in spelling, hyphenation, numbers and style. It also typically produces a style sheet recording the decisions made, so proofreading and any later work stays consistent. See what is copy editing? for more detail.
When does each stage happen?
Developmental editing comes first, ideally once you have a complete draft you believe works, but before you have polished the prose. Copy editing follows, once the structure has been revised in response to developmental feedback and you are confident the book is not going to change shape again.
What does this look like in fiction?
Example
For example, a debut novelist submitted a thriller with a strong voice but a subplot involving the protagonist’s sister that never paid off. A developmental edit flagged this and suggested either cutting the subplot or resolving it properly. Once she had rewritten around that decision, a copy edit then tightened her sometimes over-long sentences and fixed an inconsistent character name that had drifted from "Marissa" to "Marisa" partway through.
What does this look like in memoir?
In memoir, developmental editing often addresses chronology (whether a non-linear structure actually serves the story or just confuses it) and emotional pacing (whether difficult material is given enough space, and whether lighter sections balance it). Copy editing then addresses tense consistency, clarity and the sentence-level rhythm that carries a reader through personal material.
What does this look like in non-fiction?
In non-fiction, developmental editing usually checks whether the argument builds logically chapter to chapter, whether examples support the claims being made, and whether the structure matches how a reader will actually use the book. Copy editing then checks clarity, consistent terminology, and whether jargon is explained the first time it appears.
Can one editor do both developmental editing and copy editing?
Some editors offer both, and it can work well, particularly for shorter or less complex manuscripts. But even when the same person does both, they are usually run as two distinct passes with separate scope and separate deliverables, rather than blended into one read. Doing both at once risks the editor getting distracted by sentence-level issues while trying to assess structure, which tends to produce weaker feedback on both fronts.
Do I need both developmental editing and copy editing?
Most manuscripts intended for professional publication benefit from both, but not necessarily to the same depth. A manuscript that has already had thorough structural feedback and revision may need only a lighter developmental check, or none at all, before moving to copy editing. See does my book need an editor? for how to judge where yours currently stands.
Which should come first?
Developmental editing should always come before copy editing, because it can change so much of the manuscript that any earlier sentence-level polish would be wasted or invalidated. There is no version of this order that runs the other way round without creating extra cost and rework.
What happens if you copy edit too early?
If developmental issues are still unresolved when copy editing happens, cuts, reordering or rewriting driven by later developmental feedback will undo much of the sentence-level work, meaning some or all of the copy edit has to be repeated. This is one of the most common and avoidable ways authors overspend on editing.
Common mistakes
- Ordering copy editing before structural issues are resolved. Structural changes made later will overwrite sentence-level polish, wasting the earlier spend.
- Assuming a copy editor will also fix plot or argument problems. That is outside a copy edit’s scope; it needs to go back to a developmental stage.
- Treating an editorial letter as optional reading. The letter contains the reasoning behind developmental feedback; skimming it risks missing why a change matters.
- Combining both stages to save time on a complex manuscript. It can work for simple manuscripts, but complex ones usually need two distinct, focused passes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a line edit the same as a copy edit?
Not quite. Line editing sits between the two, focusing on style, flow and voice at the sentence level, sometimes offered as a separate service from copy editing.
How do I know if my manuscript needs developmental editing?
If you still have doubts about plot, structure, argument or pacing, or beta readers have flagged confusion at that level, developmental editing is likely the right next step.
Can I skip developmental editing if I am confident in my structure?
You can, particularly if the structure has already had thorough outside feedback, but it is worth an honest check first, since authors often underestimate structural blind spots in their own work.
Does copy editing include proofreading?
No. Proofreading is a separate, later stage that checks a near-final text for remaining errors. See [copy editing vs proofreading](/resources/editing-manuscripts/copy-editing-vs-proofreading).