Types of Editors in Publishing

22 January 2019

In the publishing industry, there are several types of editors that might be unfamiliar to prospective and first-time authors. When you get your first publishing deal, you get a crash course in what every member of your team does, but here's a quick rundown from the author's perspective.

Type	Responsibilities
Acquisitions Editor	First point of contact for new authors Scouts and vets authors Does not participate in the editing process Similar to an account executive
Coordinating Editor	Second point of contact for advances, invoices, taxes, and contracts Manages workflow and schedule Performs quality control but does not otherwise participate in the editing process Similar to a producer
Lead Editor	Daily point of contact for all editorial issues May also be point of contact for business issues Edits content substantively, including recommending cuts and major changes Participates in the editing process throughout the project life cycle Internally responsible for quality and shipping books on time Also called a developmental editor
Copy Editor	Edits spelling, grammar, style, tone, voice, and word choice Participates in the editing process toward end of production
Editorial Board	Comprised of all types of editors and business personnel Evaluates book proposals Dealmaking authority

The most important editor is the Author. The author must be:

completely invested in quality;
quick to address feedback;
reasonably detached from content;
willing to make necessary cuts;
willing to fight for their own book; and
professional, courteous, and respectful.

Ultimately, the author should be carrying the majority of the editorial workload, working in concert with the lead editor to transform their manuscript into a high-quality, saleable product.