Proofreading
Proofreading generally entails reading through a text to find small, careless errors: omitted or repeated words, subject–verb disagreement, homonym substitutions, and the like. It includes correcting word choice—persuade versus convince, say—but and pointing out (but not fixing) errors of logic.
If I am the first editor seeing your piece, unless you are an experienced editor yourself, you probably need more than proofreading.
Light copy editing
Light copy editing involves reading through a piece of writing and correcting errors of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage. There may well be multiple queries for you to answer so that I can ensure that your words convey your meaning precisely. If you hire me for this sort of work, you can count on me to make your writing clear and almost entirely free from error.
In some instances, I may find that a piece of writing on which I am hired to do light editing requires more intensive treatment. In such cases, I will contact you to initiate a frank discussion, with examples, to determine how to proceed.
Heavy copy editing
In addition to cleaning up errors, a heavier copy edit includes scrutiny of a piece of writing’s logical structure, flow, and persuasiveness. If I am doing a heavy edit on your piece, I will offer explanations as well as comments about my corrections. An edit at this level will often include suggestions for moving or eliminating paragraphs (or longer passages); you may want to consider my propositions, counteroffer, and send the rewrite back for a second go-round.
This is the stage at which I address global concerns. Is your writing appropriately engaging? (Or is it condescending, off-puttingly quirky, overly stiff, or simply inelegant?) Does it make its points succinctly? (Or does it ramble, or drag, or wander off topic?) Is your piece optimally organized? Are there points that are hammered too hard, while others need expansion? Does it match the level of expertise of its intended audience?
Occasionally, a heavy copy edit becomes more of a substantive edit; this progression usually happens organically.
Developmental/substantive editing
A developmental edit involves a higher level of interaction and a process in which I draw things out of you to flesh out your text. I may comment, for example, “Set the scene here. Is this out of the ordinary?” I may say that entire pages or chapters should be saved for another endeavor. I may suggest that you completely restructure a piece, or I may spend a lot of time talking about your tone and whether it’s right for your audience.
Developmental editing entails as many back-and-forths as a piece of writing requires. I may ask for a paragraph of context, only to have you push back and say that it would be insulting to your readers. I may think there is too much explanation, only to have you come back and make the case for its necessity. I may think your tone too tentative, or too naïve, or otherwise not trustworthy-sounding, and ask for more self-assurance. (I often scold authors for starting out talking about what they don’t know! Why write about a topic about which you’re ignorant?) Conversely, I may point out words or phrases that make you sound arrogant.
Editing is an act of assertion, as an old boss of mine often said. Sometimes authors counterassert; sometimes they concede. I trust that if you engage my services you do so in the knowledge that I am a person with opinions and expertise.