Line Editing

Updated June 2025

What Is Line Editing?

Line editing is a sentence-level craft that refines voice, rhythm, and clarity. Your editor moves through the manuscript line by line, tightening language, smoothing transitions, and heightening emotional impact while preserving the tone that makes the story yours. If you need help shaping plot and structure before refining prose, developmental editing is often the best starting point.

Why This Stage Matters

A well-structured plot can still stumble if prose wanders, repeats, or distracts. Readers notice awkward phrasing long before they spot a misplaced comma. Line editing removes redundancies, sharpens imagery, and aligns pacing with the mood of each scene, turning a competent draft into an engaging reading experience. Earlier in the process, a manuscript critique provides high-level feedback on story and structure before sentence-level refinement begins.

What a Line Editor Looks For

During a pass, the editor weighs diction, sentence variety, paragraph flow, and point-of-view consistency. They flag moments where description overpowers action, rework dialogue tags for natural cadence, and ensure every paragraph pushes the story forward. Technical corrections—such as tightening passive constructions or resolving unintended head-hops—come with notes that explain the reasoning behind each change.

What You Take Away

After line editing, you receive a manuscript filled with tracked revisions that clarify language, elevate imagery, and maintain character voice from first page to last. Margin comments highlight stylistic patterns so you can apply the insights to future work. A short style sheet summarizes spelling preferences, formatting choices, and recurring craft notes, giving you a reference for copyediting and proofreading.

How the Process Works at Authors’ HQ

Browse our roster and select a line editor whose sample projects or genre expertise resonate with your manuscript. If you prefer guidance, ask us to recommend several professionals. You may request short sample edits before deciding. Each interested editor contacts you directly, discusses scope, timeline, and expectations, and provides a clear quotation. Once you and the editor agree on terms, the two of you work one-on-one, exchanging files and feedback on your agreed schedule. Communication, milestones, and payment flow transparently between you and the editor you have chosen. Learn more about our complete range of book editing services to find the right fit for your manuscript.

Editors You Can Trust

Our line editors are masters of sentence-level craft—experienced trade-book editors, magazine feature specialists, and published authors known for finely tuned prose.

They focus on rhythm, word choice, and narrative flow, ensuring every paragraph is vivid and every transition seamless while preserving the unique voice that defines your work.

Collectively, they have polished best-selling novels, memoirs that earned starred reviews, and nonfiction titles praised for their clarity and elegance.

Their years in the editing chair mean they can spot repetition, tighten pacing, and elevate imagery with a light but confident touch.

When you choose line editing at Authors’ HQ, you collaborate with professionals dedicated to transforming solid drafts into engaging, unforgettable reading experiences.

Quick Answers

Does line editing replace copyediting?

Line editing improves flow and style but does not perform a full grammar and consistency check. Most authors schedule copyediting once line revisions are complete.

Will my voice change?

No. The aim is to enhance clarity and impact while preserving the tone and cadence that make the work uniquely yours. You review and approve every suggested change.

Do you follow specific style guides?

Yes. Editors are comfortable working with Chicago, AP, New Hart’s Rules, or a custom in-house guide. You can specify your preference when booking.