Hero
EDITING
Book editing that makes your book more yours
From big-picture structure to the last comma, our editors help your book say what you meant, in your voice. Choose the level of edit your manuscript needs.
Get an editing quote /contact?topic=services Which edit do I need? #levels
The Four Levels
Which edit do you need?
Edit What it fixes When you need it Industry median (EFA 2026)
Developmental Structure, plot, pacing,
character, argument
After a complete draft, before
polishing sentences
3.0–3.5¢/word fiction · 4.0– 5.0¢/word nonfiction
Line Voice, rhythm, clarity, paragraph
by paragraph
When the structure works but the
prose doesn't sing yet
2.7–3.5¢/word fiction · 3.5– 5.0¢/word nonfiction
Copyedit Grammar, consistency, word
choice, facts, style
When the book is nearly final 2.0–2.7¢/word fiction · 3.0– 4.0¢/word nonfiction
Proofread Typos and formatting errors in
the laid-out pages
The very last step, after formatting 1.2–2.0¢/word fiction · 2.0– 3.0¢/word nonfiction Footnote Industry figures are the Editorial Freelancers Association's 2026 median rate ranges (survey of rates charged in 2025). The EFA doesn't set rates; individual editors vary.
What that means for an 80,000-word novel
At the EFA's fiction medians, a copyedit of an 80,000-word novel runs roughly $1,600–$2,160 and a developmental edit roughly $2,400–$2,800. Proofreading runs roughly $960–$1,600. Most authors don't need every level; a strong self-edit plus a copyedit and a proofread is a common budget path.
What'S Included
What every edit includes
Edits tracked in Word, so you accept or reject every change
An editorial letter (developmental) or style sheet (copyedit), so your choices stay consistent through the
Genres
Editors who know your genre
Romance readers expect different beats from thriller readers, and a memoir needs a different touch from a
Ai And Editing
Our approach to AI
example a grammar checker, it never rewrites your text, and we tell you what was used so you can disclose accurately under our content guidelines/publish/content-guidelines.
Self-Edit First
Before you hire an editor
Save money by fixing what you can first: read the book aloud, cut repeated words, check names and timelines, and let it rest for two weeks. The cleaner the draft, the more an editor can focus on what you can't see yourself.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to edit a book?
It depends on length, genre and the level of edit. Industry medians run from about 1.2¢ per word for fiction proofreading to 5¢ per word for nonfiction developmental editing. See what self-publishing costs/academy/cost-to-self-publish-a-book.
Will an editor change my voice?
A good editor protects your voice. Every change is tracked, so you decide what stays.
Do I need a developmental edit?
If beta readers or your own instincts say something big isn't working, such as pacing, a character or the ending, yes. If the story works, start with a copyedit. Get an editing quote /contact?topic=services