Author Resource · Revision
Editing & Revision Checklist
The pass-by-pass system pro editors use to sharpen a draft.
First drafts are about finishing. Revision is where books are made. This resource gives you the four-pass system professional editors use.
Practical checklist
What a finished pass looks like
Work through each item before you call this phase done.
Pass 1 — Structural read
Read the whole book without editing. Take notes on what's missing or out of order.
Pass 2 — Scene logic
Every scene has a goal, a conflict and a change. Cut or fix the ones that don't.
Pass 3 — Line edit
Tighten prose, vary sentence rhythm, kill filler words. Read aloud.
Pass 4 — Copyedit
Grammar, punctuation, consistency. Use a tool but don't trust it blindly.
Pass 5 — Proofread
Final pass on the formatted file. Mark typos only — no rewriting.
Beta reader feedback
Five readers, structured questions. Look for patterns, not individual opinions.
Step by step
The full walkthrough
- 01
Step 1 — Put the draft in a drawer
Take two to four weeks off. When you come back, you'll read what you actually wrote.
- 02
Step 2 — Do a structural read
Read the whole book in a few sittings. No editing. Take notes on a separate doc.
- 03
Step 3 — Cut and reorder before you polish
Make the big moves first: delete chapters that don't earn their place.
- 04
Step 4 — Line edit for rhythm
Go sentence by sentence. Read aloud. Vary sentence length. Kill filler words.
- 05
Step 5 — Get five beta readers
Send the same five questions to each. Look for patterns across responses.
In this resource pack
Templates & worksheets
Bundled with every StoryMaster.ai project — open them inside the app or export to your tool of choice.
Four-Pass Revision Checklist
3 pages
Every check, in order, with space to tick off each chapter.
Get this resourceFiller Words Cheat Sheet
1 page
The 40 words and phrases to search-and-destroy in a line edit.
Get this resource
