Editing Fiction Versus Non-Fiction: The Indian Publishing Scenario

In India's rich and diverse publishing community, editors use their combined knowledge of language, culture, and content to enrich literature. They help create everything from an insightful memoir to a thriller, but editing is more than just correcting grammar and punctuation; it involves shaping the author's ideas into clear and concise sentences.

Fiction and non-fiction present significant editing challenges to editors in India. An editor must possess different skills, instincts, and sensitivities when editing fiction compared to editing non-fiction.

Table of Contents:

• Story Creation vs. Structure

• Fact-checking and the Degree of Research Required

• Language and Tone Responsiveness

• The Voice and the Authority

• The Expectations of the Audience and the Genre

• Cultural Sensitivities and Censorial Restrictions

• Key Takeaways

• Frequently Asked Questions

Let's take a look at the particular challenges in editing these two forms of writing:

1. Story Creation vs. Structure

The rhythm of the narrative, character development, and emotional connection characterize fiction editing in India. Indian fiction can be everything from mythological to romantic or literary; therefore, it is the job of editors to ensure the storyline retains its emotional arc and cultural context where appropriate.

For example: A novel that takes place in a small town in Bihar, India, where Hindi and English are spoken together but also in different, distinct patterns, will require the editor to recreate this authenticity without making it impossible to read for readers who do not know Hindi.

Non-fiction is different; it is primarily about information, argumentation, and clarity. Non-fiction books can either be in the form of business, self-help, spirituality, or memoirs. However, for readers of non-fiction, maintaining reader interest and logical progression is critical, as well as ensuring that the facts included are accurate.

For example: When editing an economic analysis of India's economy aimed at lay readers, the editor must simplify the data but, at the same time, not lose any subtlety associated with the message being conveyed.

2. Fact-checking and the Degree of Research Required

Due to the amount of scrutiny that accompanies fact-checking, editors in India need to be extremely accurate when conducting research for non-fiction writing and be aware of those instances where the subject spans the boundaries of history, politics, and spirituality. Editors are responsible for checking facts, cross-referencing quotes, and reviewing the legal ramifications (especially for political biographical works or religious texts).

Indian Context: Books containing references to religious leaders, politicians, and other religious or political figures should be carefully reviewed and must not serve as politically motivated statements. One misstep in editing can potentially damage a book's credibility and create significant divisions among readers. 

Conversely, although fiction is generally liberated from factual accuracy, it must adhere to a certain level of internal consistency within the narrative. Editors must ensure that the plot event sequences are reliable and match the reader's expectations of the fictional universe, while also maintaining cultural ties to the authenticity of the work. 

For historical fiction, editors should remain vigilant for anachronisms — including when a character uses a phrase from today’s vernacular to contrast events occurring 200 years ago.

3. Language and Tone Responsiveness

In fiction, authors have many creative outlets available to experiment with various styles of writing. The Indian author’s use of vernacular varies, but it is much greater in romantic or slice-of-life genres. The editor's job is to strike a balance between allowing for creative expression while still ensuring that the text is clear and easy to read.

In non-fiction, the tone is highly variable, anywhere from inspirational to academic. Editors, in particular, need to keep tone consistent when the author's voice swings between the personal, with anecdotes, and the impersonal, with generalizations.

Example: A spiritual book should always create a seamless flow while flipping metaphorically from poetry to clinical advice. 

4. The Voice and the Authority

In fiction, the voice of the author must be preserved in all styles of writing, i.e., lyrical, minimalist, sarcastic, etc. It is imperative to remember that no matter how many changes an editor makes to a writer's work, there will always be someone behind that manuscript.

One of the challenges of editing fiction is to not change or alter the author's natural voice/rhythm and/or characterization. The editor should maintain a balance between both.

A fiction editor should also consider the authority of the book as well as the voice of the writer. It is a common mistake for editors to misinterpret the tone of a book and make it sound preachy, shallow, or inconsistent.

The editor's struggle is to minimize the amount of jargon used in a book to respect an author's authority in their field and expertise.

5. The Expectations of the Audience and the Genre

The expectations of Indian readers will be different from many other subjective ideas that exist and the genre itself will play a significant role in how the book is perceived.

In terms of editing fiction, the romance genre typically requires a fast-paced, hot style of writing. Literary fiction readers expect greater depth and an appreciation of symbolism and poetic resonance. Readers of mythological fiction expect authenticity, homage, and high drama.

In contrast, when editing non-fiction, an editor needs to have a clear understanding of the audience:

Business readers require data-supported arguments; memoir readers require emotional honesty and insight.

Editors of spiritual literature have an obligation to provide you with clarity, warmth, and a respectful tone. Spiritual readers are likely to see similar themes in both genres, as Indian culture often dictates the reader's perception of the content.

6. Cultural Sensitivities and Censorial Restrictions

As both genres face cultural scrutiny in India, non-fiction requires more care in dealing with the themes of caste, religion, politics, and sexual orientation than does fiction. An example would be the life story of an LGBTQ+ individual living in a traditional/high-profile area may meet with many social and cultural issues; therefore, the editor needs to be careful when navigating the writer through those issues. The editor gives the writer the chance to be bold, as long as they maintain the courtesy of the public they operate in. When it comes to fiction, there is more flexibility within that genre; however, even within those areas, the editor must highlight what may be sensitive and provide guidance in how to appropriately handle those sensitive issues in the context of the story being told.

Editing in India is not simply about grammar and construction. If you have a manuscript that blends regional artistry, complex concepts, or culturally related stories, then having the appropriate level of editor will help your work reach its full potential.

Talk to us about your manuscript and discover how professional editing can elevate your book.

Key Takeaway

The role of editors in India is a cultural negotiation and is not just behind-the-scenes. Editors may help to shape the emotional climax of a love story, or they may fine-tune the reasoning of a historical argument. In much the same way as authors have different writing styles for fiction and non-fiction, so too do editors. An editor will work with an author to shape a manuscript into a powerful book. While the challenges of editing different genres vary, editors focus on the same goal: to honour the author's voice, clarify the author's message and create a better experience for the reader.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is fiction editing harder than non-fiction editing?

Neither editing genre is "harder" than the other. They present their own unique difficulties. Editing fiction will require a strong understanding of narrative pacing, character motivation and development, and emotional pacing; while editing non-fiction requires exactitude in terms of the argument and data presented. Additionally, non-fiction editing may also require legal, ethical, or general knowledge of the area of study. (In India, there often exist both legal and ethical concerns when editing non-fiction.)

2. Will an Indian author require a level of editing that considers the local culture and local language?

Yes, Indian authors usually write in multiple regional languages with many local customs, cultural references, language switching, and other factors that will be unique to each author's region of India. A good editor who is not familiar with these elements may inadvertently take something away from the author's authenticity or misinterpret the author's intention. It is important for editors to know about Indian culture and the different forms of language and communication in order to effectively edit both fiction and non-fiction.

3. Can an editor alter an author's unique style?

A good editor will never alter an author's unique style, but rather will work to improve, clarify and enhance it. In fiction, an editor will strive to keep the author's rhythm and character intact while still ensuring that the finished product is a polished piece of work. In non-fiction, an editor needs to balance the credibility and authority of the work with its readability.

Would you like to find an editor to help you develop your manuscript, be it fiction or non-fiction? 

At Rolling Authors, we specialize in editing for Indian authors and their unique voices, genres, and the markets they write for. Our editors possess a comprehensive knowledge of cultural nuance and narrative craft relative to India; thus, whether you are writing as a novelist or as a knowledge expert, we will assist you in developing your book to global standards.

Let's create an unforgettable book.

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