Editing 101: How to Take Your Manuscript from Good to Great

You’ve got a book (or the makings of one). Maybe you’re staring at a finished draft, wondering What’s next? Or maybe you’re still deep in the writing process, but a little voice in your head is already whispering, Will this even make sense to readers?

Here’s the thing: every author’s journey looks different, and so does the editing process. Some writers come to us with a polished manuscript ready for final proofing, while others need help shaping their ideas from the ground up. Wherever you are, we’re here to meet you there.

At Hasmark, we guide authors through every phase of editing, making sure their words shine. So, let’s break it down:

The Three Key Phases of Editing

Phase 1: Developmental Editing – The Big Picture

This is the “deep dive” stage. A developmental editor looks at:

? Structure, theme, and flow

? Plot consistency and character arcs (for fiction)

? Clarity, engagement, and effectiveness (for non-fiction)

We’re asking the big questions:

?? Does the story flow smoothly?

?? Do the ideas connect and make sense?

?? Is your message strong enough to resonate with readers?

Think of this as the “structural” stage—if something isn’t quite working, we tweak, refine, and sometimes even rearrange sections to make everything click. It’s like a home renovation for your book!

Phase 2: Copy Editing – Let’s Make It Shine

Once the structure is set, we go in with a fine-tooth comb:

??? Every sentence is clear, polished, and flows smoothly

??? Grammar, syntax, and word choice are optimized

??? Trim the fluff and tighten things up.

At this stage, our editors make sure your unique voice shines through while ensuring the writing is polished and professional.

Phase 3: Proofreading – The Final Polish

This is the last stage before publishing, where a fresh pair of eyes catches any lingering:

? Typos (because even the best writers miss them!)

? Punctuation and spelling mistakes

? Formatting consistency

At Hasmark, we never have the same editor proofread a manuscript they already worked on. Fresh eyes = better results!

Your name is on the cover, and you want your book to be the best it can be. Readers notice when a book is well-edited—and they definitely notice when it’s not. Editing is what takes your book from “good” to “WOW.”

Not sure which stage your book is in? That’s okay—figuring that out is part of our job! Whether you’re just getting started or almost ready to publish, we can help you take the next step with confidence.

Click below, and let’s chat about where your book fits in. No pressure, just guidance. ??

?? Let’s Talk about Publishing your Book!

You’ve already done the hard part—writing your book. Now, let’s make sure it’s the best version of itself before it reaches your readers.

Happy writing (and editing ??).