What Is Structural Editing? Meaning, Examples & Costs

• Jul 24, 2024
• 6 min read

• Tags: Book Editing, Editing, Fiction Editing, Language

Just as a building requires a good foundation, a proper structure is crucial for written works. This is what structural editing ensures!  In this article, learn everything, from the structural editing definition to the costs involved. 

We’ve also answered many questions you might have such as: How much time does structural editing take? When to seek structural editing?  How should I choose a structural editor? So without any delay, let’s explore structural editing in detail!

Let’s start with the structural editing meaning. 

What is structural editing? 

Structural editing is the process of reorganizing and restructuring text to improve its overall flow, coherence, and readability. This process is usually performed for longer works, such as books, academic papers, technical documents, or any complex written material. 

Following are the aspects that editors review during structural editing: 

1. Content arrangement 
2. A logical progression of ideas
3. Chapter/section structure and transitions
4. Character arcs and character development 
5. Narrative pacing and storyline development
6. Redundancies and repetitions
7. Plot structure and plot holes
8. Consistency and continuity
9. Readability and audience engagement
10. Overall cohesion and unity

The following examples accurately explain the structural editing definition! 

Structural editing examples 

1. A self-help book: The original manuscript contains a lot of valuable information but lacks a clear structure and progression. The structural editor suggests organizing the self-help book’s content into distinct sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of personal growth or development.
2. A romance novel: The structural editor notices that the pacing of the relationship between the two main characters feels underdeveloped. They suggest adding scenes that show the characters’ back stories, and conflict. The editor also recommends restructuring the climax of the story. 

After seeing structural editing examples, let’s understand the steps involved in structural editing! 

6 steps of structural editing 

Following are the 6 steps of structural editing: 

1. First reading: The structural editor reads the entire manuscript. 
2. Structural analysis: The editor reviews the work structure and identifies areas for development. 
3. Feedback: The editor provides detailed feedback and recommendations for improvement. 
4. Restructuring: Based on the feedback, the author or the editor restructures the content. 
5. Continuity check: This involves a continuity check to ensure that the restructured content maintains consistency in terms of character development, plot points, structure, and factual information.
6. Final review: The editor performs a final review, verifying that all structural issues have been addressed.

What is the cost of structural editing? 

Typically, structural editors charge between $0.01 to $0.15 per word for their services. The actual price can vary, depending on the editor’s location, the project’s complexity, the turnaround time, and any additional services. Some structural editors may also offer project-based pricing instead of per-word rates, particularly for shorter works or specific genres. 

Now let’s quickly understand when a person should hire structural editing services. 

When do you need a structural editor? 

The following are the different scenarios when hiring a structural editor is beneficial: 

1. After completing your first draft: A fresh perspective from a professional editor can help identify areas that need improvement in terms of organization, pacing, and overall narrative structure. 
2. After receiving feedback from beta readers: Structural editors can help you address the concerns raised by beta readers and provide expert guidance on how to refine your manuscript based on the feedback received.
3. Before submitting to literary agents or publishers: Seeking structural editing before submission can increase your chances of success by making your manuscript more compelling and competitive in the marketplace. 
4. When you’re writing for a different medium or audience: If you are considering adapting your manuscript for a different medium, such as a screenplay or a graphic novel, or targeting a new audience, structural editing can be invaluable. 
5. When you’re unsure about your manuscript’s direction: If you find yourself questioning the flow, coherence, or effectiveness of your story, a structural editor can provide valuable insights and suggestions.

Now let us answer a question that many readers have: How to choose a structural editor? 

Important pointers while selecting a structural editor

1. Experience and expertise 

First up, years of experience. How long has this editor been doing structural edits professionally? Five years? Ten? The more experience, the better. 

Also, ask about their area of specialization. If you’re working on a novel, you’ll want someone who has edited a ton of fiction, maybe even in your specific genre like fantasy, mystery, or other. 

Once you’ve zeroed in on candidates with relevant experience, analyze. Are they an active member of any professional editorial associations? Have they received training or certifications in structural editing or story analysis? 

With this, you can also request samples of their previous work. This will help you evaluate their true mastery of the craft

2. Understanding of your genre and target audience

A great structural editor needs to intimately understand the conventions and reader expectations for your specific type of book. They will also have good knowledge about all the tropes and archetypes readers are looking for in your genre. 

So how can you gauge this? A good idea is to look for editors who are genuine fans and students of your genre themselves. Maybe they’re active in a writing community related to your genre or frequently teach workshops on narrative structure for the genre you love. 

You can understand this from their online presence on social media platforms and their website. This will also give you an idea of whether they are a part of book review clubs related to your genre. 

3. Communication and Collaboration 

To understand their communication style, set up a phone or video call with them and discuss your project. Observe: do they listen attentively and ask insightful questions? 

Notice their responsiveness too. Do they reply to your emails or calls promptly? Or do they leave you hanging for days without a response? 

You also need to analyze: Do they explain their approach and editorial process in a way that makes sense to you? Are they able to give you concrete examples to illustrate how they would provide feedback? This will help you understand whether the editor is a good fit for your project. 

4. Availability and turnaround time 

After being upfront with them about completion deadlines, evaluate their response. If they seem overbooked, hesitate, or don’t give a clear response, you may want to keep looking. 

It’s essential to ask about the time taken for different types of editing like structural editing, line editing, copy editing, etc. 

Pay attention to how book editors discuss scheduling as well. Do they seem enthusiastic and agree to set aside dedicated time blocks for your project? Or do they give wishy-washy answers about fitting your book in “when they can”? Choose an editor who prioritizes your deadlines.

5. Pricing and contract terms 

Reach out to 3-5 potential candidates and get detailed quotes from each of them. This allows you to get a sense of the normal pricing range. 

During the quoting process, provide all the key details like your manuscript’s word count, genre, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, and your ideal turnaround time. The more context you give, the more accurate the quotes will be. 

Before signing anything, carefully go through the contract’s details like quoted pricing, services included, billing schedule, revision terms, copyright clauses, deadlines, etc. Openly communicate, negotiate (if required), and hire legal services to understand all contract details. 

6. The X factor 

This X factor is personal fit and rapport. At the end of the day, you’re going to be working really closely with the editor you select. Hence, it’s important to choose an editor you genuinely vibe with. 

When you first chat with potential editors, observe: Do they make you feel at ease just casually talking about your ideas? Or is there this awkward stiffness where you can’t quite open up? Do they actually seem engaged and excited by your concepts? Or are they just kind of nodding along? This will help you analyze whether they are a good personal fit. 

Many people also get confused with structural editing vs. developmental editing. Let’s clear the difference between these terms once and for all! 

Structural editing vs. developmental editing 

While structural editing focuses on the text’s organization, flow, and coherence, developmental editing typically involves a more comprehensive and in-depth content analysis. This includes character development, plot structure, and themes, while also providing detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement. 

This concludes our guide about what is structural editing! After understanding the structural editing meaning, you can decide if your text requires this in-depth editing. At PaperTrue, our trained structural editors improve your text’s overall structure and organization.

If you’ve written a book, our expert editors also give further suggestions to develop the plot, character, and setting. Feel free to reach out if you require expert editing and proofreading services! 

Here are some other useful resources for you: 

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Priya

Priya has a talent for academic research and enjoys simplifying complex topics. When she's not helping students improve their writing, she can be seen reading poetry, playing the harmonium, or learning classical dance.