The manuscript will be read, evaluated, polished, and perfected. Content changes will be made as needed to improve setting, imagery, symbolism, foreshadowing, characterization, and plot. If the manuscript is nonfiction, the layout, clarity, headings, tone, documentation, and accuracy will be focused on.

Much of substantive editing requires working with the client and the author to develop the manuscript to a fully comprehensible text. Suggestions are made about content, organization, and presentation. Rewriting, writing, and researching are completed as necessary, or suggestions are made for places where these should be done. Paragraphs, sections, or chapters may be reorganized to ensure clarity.

Experience in substantive editing include, books, such as memoirs, self-help, nonfiction, fiction, professional development, training, and human development; magazines, such as engineering and carpentry; and shorter pieces, such as theses, entrance essays, and poems.

Fees for substantive editing are generally $30-$40 per hour.