Note: I did not write or edit this content. It was a difficult decision, but as a one-person business, It's essential that I focus on the core work of editing for clients and leave some of the marketing work to others. --MJB
If you’ve ever written a story with a solid premise, engaging plot, and relatable characters—at least in your head—you know the challenge: getting those words on the page to truly resonate with readers. That’s where a skilled copyeditor comes in. Through expert copyediting, your book can reach its full potential, captivating readers with every detail.
Here are the four most common issues a novel editor or fiction editor encounters in fiction, and how professional novel editing or fiction editing can fix them:
1. Spatial Continuity
Picture yourself curled up with a novel, immersed in a dramatic scene. Suddenly, a continuity error yanks you out of the story—a character’s purse vanishes and reappears, or someone is hit by a brick thrown through a window that shouldn’t exist. These lapses disrupt the narrative flow and break reader immersion. A sharp-eyed book editor or copyeditor visualizes every scene, ensuring objects and characters move logically and consistently.
2. Point of View
A well-edited novel lets readers experience the story through the eyes of its characters. But if the point of view shifts unexpectedly, readers can feel lost or dizzy. Maintaining a steady perspective is crucial, and a professional fiction editor or novel editor will catch slips—details the viewpoint character couldn’t possibly know—and keep your narrative lens focused.
3. Verb Tense
Confusing verb tenses can leave readers wondering if your characters exist in multiple realities at once. Maybe James is relieved his mother-in-law left, but he’s also talking to her and anticipating their first meeting—all in the same paragraph! Effective book editing uses verb tense to clarify timelines, helping readers follow the story without confusion. If verb tense feels tricky, a copyeditor or novel editor can untangle it for you.
4. Characterization
Readers crave authentic characters. If your protagonist suddenly acts out of character or speaks in a way that doesn’t fit, the magic is lost. Poor characterization—whether “bobble-head” imitations or indistinguishable “blank” personalities—can ruin a book’s appeal. A skilled fiction editor or book editor helps you develop characters who feel real and consistent, whether you’re writing original fiction or working within a beloved franchise.
No matter where you are in your writing journey, partnering with a professional copyeditor, novel editor, or book editor can transform your manuscript. Through expert copyediting, novel editing, and fiction editing, your story will shine—captivating readers and standing out in the crowded world of books.