​There are a number of editing categories, and a myriad of definitions for each one. Each editor or publishing house may describe the process in different ways, and all are correct—after all,the process is quite subjective. At Inky Paw, I like to subdivide the services I offer as follows: ​

​​

• Developmental Editing or Reviewing​
• Substantive Editing​
• Copyediting​
• Proofreading​

​Because editing is a fluid and organic process, not all projects fit neatly in a categorized box—a copyedit may include many aspects of a substantive edit, or a proofread will require some copyediting. Hence, just as the author's approach to the written word is unique, so is the editor's approach to helping the author achieve a polished, well-balanced work.