Should you send an unfinished manuscript to a copyeditor?

I tend to work with book publishers, so the non-fiction books I work on are finished. In other words, they’ve been through a developmental edit (or two) and all the chapters and elements I need are there.

But sometimes I’m approached by self-publishing authors who want to get a copyeditor’s input before the book is finished. I get it. They want feedback that can guide the rest of the writing and ease the burden of a full edit. Plus, it allows them to get a head start on editing before the book is complete.

But is this a good approach? Or should your manuscript be finished before you send it to a copyeditor?

Some copyeditors may disagree, but in this article, I’ll explain why you should finish your manuscript – and when it may be acceptable to send an unfinished manuscript to a copyeditor.

Why you should wait until the manuscript is finished

 

It can be tempting to get your manuscript copyedited as soon as you’ve got a few chapters in the bag, but it’s not always a great idea. Here’s why a finished manuscript is preferable:

 

Avoids redundant or conflicting edits 

If you’re still working on certain chapters, either at the start or at the end, a copyedit may recommend changes that are no longer relevant when you’ve submitted those chapters. Certain ideas may be rewritten, rearranged or deleted altogether. This can create confusion or inconsistency, which usually needs to be addressed in another pass, prolonging the editing process.

 

Ensures structural flow

Before editors do anything, they look at the structure and flow of the book to ensure chapters follow seamlessly, internal references are correct and all illustrated material has been supplied. If the manuscript is incomplete, it’s hard to see gaps, repetition or inconsistencies, which can compromise the edit and result in pacing or structural issues.

Ensures consistency

Having a complete manuscript means that editors can conduct a consistency check across the whole manuscript, not just the first 12 chapters. This will ensure all names, terminology and spellings are correct and align with the style sheet. Sure, we can consolidate the manuscript later and do those checks again, but this takes extra time, which brings me to the next point …

 

Reduces editing time and costs

Working on an incomplete manuscript means that some chapters may need to be revised, updated or re-edited, adding to the time commitment and cost. For example, if the editor quoted a certain fee for a 50,000-word manuscript and your outstanding chapters have increased the word count, you may need to pay an additional fee to cover the extra word count and additional consistency checks. For more on what goes into copyediting fees, see Why are book editors so expensive?

Allows time for self-editing

If you submit your last two or three chapters right after you finish them (to meet your deadlines), you won’t have a chance to revise or self-edit them. This means those chapters may require more intervention, such as fact-checking or removing wordiness, leading to back-and-forth edits that can slow down the editing process and increase the fee.

Avoids disrupting the creative process

If your book is copyedited too early, it may interfere with the writing process, particularly if you’re still generating ideas or shaping the book’s structure. Editing and writing are different skills, so doing them together can disrupt your creative flow and slow you down. At worst, you may not finish the book at all, making all that editorial work – and expense – pointless.

Writing and editing at the same time can disrupt your creative flow.

Aligns with proven publishing workflows

In general, publishers supply finished manuscripts to copyeditors. There’s a strong reason for this: it aligns with publishing workflows. After a manuscript has undergone developmental editing, it moves on to copyediting, then proofreading. Each stage sets clear parameters, ensures quality and accuracy, and keeps the editorial wheels turning – so publishers can meet print and sales deadlines.

While self-publishing authors don’t have these constraints, a similar workflow ensures an accurate, consistent and error-free manuscript. After all, publishers have these processes in place because they work! If this flow is disrupted, timelines can slip, fees can increase and errors can creep in. For more on what happens during a copyedit, see What to expect when you work with an editor.

When can you submit an unfinished manuscript?

There are a couple of instances when you can submit an unfinished manuscript to a copyeditor. For example, if the bulk of the book is written and you only need to supply the foreword, conclusion, acknowledgements or picture section. Those elements don’t usually affect the structure or content too much, so they can be supplied later.

You can also submit an unfinished manuscript when you’re shopping around for an editor (FYI, they need to be booked weeks or months in advance!). Editors don’t need to see the whole manuscript to provide a sample edit or quote. A chapter or two (as well as the estimated word count) is usually sufficient. Sample edits are also a great way of identifying common errors you can avoid in later chapters.

Top tip: If you want feedback on early chapters to guide your writing (either because you’re stuck or lack confidence), you’re better off approaching a book coach or developmental editor. They can help you outline the next steps and get your book back on track.

Final thoughts: Should you send an unfinished manuscript to a copyeditor?

Many self-publishing authors want to start the copyediting process as soon as possible, but it’s best to wait until you’ve got a finished manuscript. In addition to minimising unnecessary corrections and stylistic inconsistencies, it can also save time and money.

That said, if you still need to write a conclusion or acknowledgements, these can come later without affecting the integrity of the edit. Just make sure they’re included in the initial word count – and expect additional fees if they go over. However, some editors may want these components before they begin, so always check!

If your manuscript is ready for editing, I’d love to help. Get in touch through my contact form or request a sample edit.