Structural editing focuses on the overall organisation and flow of your manuscript. I work with you to strengthen the foundation of your writing by examining how all the pieces fit together.
What happens during structural editing?
During this stage, I’ll help reshape your work by addressing elements like:
- plot development and pacing
- character arcs and consistency
- chapter organisation and transitions
- argument logic and evidence placement
- theme development and coherence.
This is often the first hands-on editing stage after a manuscript assessment. I’ll make suggestions for reorganising content, expanding underdeveloped sections and trimming excess material to create a stronger, more cohesive work.
Structural editing is ideal when you’re confident about your core ideas but need help arranging them effectively to engage your readers. Unlike later editing stages, we’re still working on the big picture rather than fine details. There will often be redrafting work to be done after a structural edit, which is why a copy edit can’t be done at the same time.
After a structural edit, the next stage is a copy edit.
If you have questions about a structural edit or if you’d like to arrange to have your manuscript structurally edited, please send me a message with the Contact page.