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Editing Checklist for Fiction and Nonfiction – Structure, Line and Proof Passes
Two 12-page editions that take a book manuscript through three passes in order, big-picture structure first, then sentences, then proofreading, with a chapter tracker, an action log and a final proof check to finish. The fiction edition watches plot, viewpoint and timeline; the nonfiction one watches claims, quotes and sources.
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Written for authors revising their own book, this editing checklist sets a fixed order: fix the shape of the manuscript before the sentences, and the sentences before the commas. Both editions follow the same three passes over twelve pages; what changes is the questions, which are written for storytelling in one and for argument and evidence in the other.
How the checklist pages work
Most pages hold eight questions in a table. Beside each one is a Done box, a Location column for the chapter or page where you found something, and a Revision note column for what to change. These pages start with project, reviewer and draft-date lines and end with a “next priority” box, so you can stop mid-pass and pick up where you left off.
Pass by pass
Structure (pages 2 to 4). The fiction edition asks whether the central conflict escalates in a way a reader can follow, whether the stakes are personal to the main character, and whether turning points are planted early enough. The nonfiction edition asks instead whether each central claim is narrow enough for its evidence, whether the argument moves from premise to conclusion, and where counterpoints are answered. Page 3 in both looks at chapter or section order and pacing. Page 4 swaps the table for three focus boxes: characters, point of view and timeline in fiction; facts, quotations and references in nonfiction.
Line (pages 5 and 6). Sentence clarity, rhythm, pronouns and paragraph focus, then voice and repetition. In fiction that means whether dialogue sounds distinct enough to tell speakers apart without tags; in nonfiction, whether specialized terms are defined once and used the same way throughout.
Proof (pages 7 and 8). Quotation marks, apostrophes, hyphens, homophones, then capitals, numerals, date formats, units and section-break markers. The questions ask whether you apply your chosen style consistently rather than pointing to a particular style manual.
Tracking the revision
Page 9 is a ledger with seven rows: a continuity ledger in fiction, for details whose first and later mentions conflict, and an evidence and source ledger in nonfiction, for each claim, where it appears, its source and whether you have verified it. The chapter revision tracker has twelve rows with a box for each pass and a next action. The revision action log takes seven numbered changes with location, planned change, owner or due date and a verified mark. The final proof check has six questions, such as whether you proofread the exported file you plan to share, then boxes for open issues and hand-off notes for a second reader.
The Color files use muted red and plum headings; Ink-Saver keeps to grayscale lines. In the fillable PDFs every Done box, column and note box can be filled on screen. The Start Here note suggests saving a fresh copy for each book before you begin.
