Dreaming of writing will give you a lot of joy, but there’s an important step- editing.
For many first-time authors, questions arise such as, “How much does book editing cost?“ and “What do editors even do for a book?”
If you’ve been pondering these questions, you are not alone. That is to say, one of the biggest areas of book preparation for readers has to do with understanding book editing, the costs involved, and its critical importance.
In this guide, we’re going to break everything down in layman’s terms-nothing fancy or publishing-like, just sound, helpful advice.
Let’s get started!
What Does a Book Editor Actually Do?
Let’s get that out of the way first before we discuss prices. What is a book editor, anyway?.
An editor’s job is to improve your book. They help with grammar mistakes, but that is only a small part of it. A good editor goes through your entire story, making sure it makes sense, is smooth, reads well, and is interesting.
Here’s what editors can help you with:
- Verify that your story, along with its message, maintains clear simplicity for readers to understand.
- The service detects errors in both grammar and spelling, together with punctuation mistakes.
- The professional editing service provides assistance to enhance both professional delivery and smooth writing.
- Fixing confusing parts or ideas that aren’t clear.
- Making sure everything fits together nicely, from start to finish.
In short, Editors help your book shine.
Types of Book Editing (And Why It Matters)
Not all editing is the same.
There are a few types of book editing, and each one helps your book in different ways. Knowing the difference is important because it affects how much you’ll pay.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
1. Developmental Editing
This is the biggest and deepest kind of editing. A developmental editor has a broad perspective on the story-these include the plot, the characters, and structure-and how all those elements fit together. They might recommend drastic alterations, such as moving chapters, deleting sections, or writing new materials.
Good for: Writers who want strong storytelling and structure.
2. Line Editing
Line editing involves analysing and editing the rhythm and sound of sentences. It improves flow, makes your writing feel more natural, and makes it more enjoyable to read. A line editor does not change your story; he fine-tunes your voice and writing style.
Good for: Writers who want smoother, clearer writing.
3. Copyediting
Copyediting involves correcting a text in terms of grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, spelling problems, and making sure it is consistent (like character names or dates).
Good for: Writers who usually have a good, effective draft and need their polish
4. Proofreading
Proofreading is the very last step. It’s a final check for small mistakes like typos or missing commas. Proofreaders make sure the book is clean and ready for printing.
Good for: Writers who have already gone through editing and just need a final polish.
How Much Does It Cost to Edit a Book?
Now, the big question: How much does book editing cost?
The price depends on:
- The type of editing you need.
- How long is your book (how many words or pages)?
- How much work your book needs (a rough draft will cost more than a clean one).
- How experienced the editor is.
Here’s a rough idea of book editing rates you might see:
| Type of Editing | Cost Per Word | Cost Per Page (250 words) | Hourly Rate |
| Developmental Editing | $0.08–$0.12 | $20–$35 | $50–$90 |
| Line Editing | $0.05–$0.08 | $15–$25 | $40–$75 |
| Copyediting | $0.03–$0.05 | $10–$20 | $35–$60 |
| Proofreading | $0.01–$0.02 | $5–$10 | $25–$45 |
A Quick Example:
If your book is 70,000 words, you might pay:
- Developmental Editing (Big Picture Help): Costs between $5,600 and $8,400. This is when an editor looks at your whole book — story, characters, flow — and suggests big improvements.
- Line Editing (Making Sentences Smoother): Costs between $3,500 and $5,600. The editor polishes your writing so it sounds better and reads more naturally.
- Copyediting (Correcting Grammar and Spelling): Costs on the higher side, anywhere between $2,100 and $3,500. This stage investigates your work for grammatical mistakes, typos, or small errors.
- Proofreading (Final Quick Check): Costs between $700 and $1,400. This is the last step, just fixing any small mistakes before publishing.
Editing is an actual investment and worthwhile if you wish for your book to look professional and be taken seriously.
Editing Rates Per Page: Is That a Better Option?
Sometimes editors charge by the page instead of by the word or hour.
Editing rates per page usually mean they’re counting about 250 words as one page.
For example:
- If the rate is $10 per page and your book is 280 pages (70,000 words), the total would be $2,800.
Always check how the editor defines a “page,” and ask for a quote before you start. Some editors will even give you a custom price after seeing a sample of your writing.
Proofreading vs Editing: What’s the Real Difference?
It’s easy to confuse proofreading and editing, but they are different. Here’s a simple way to think about it:
| Editing | Proofreading | |
| When it happens | Early to middle stages | Final stage |
| What it fixes | Big problems (story, flow, style, grammar) | Small errors (typos, missing commas) |
| Goal | Make the book stronger | Make the book error-free |
If you skip editing and only get proofreading, your book might still have bigger problems that readers notice.
Editing + proofreading = a polished, professional book.
How Much Do Book Editors Make?
Another question authors often ask is: How much do book editors make?
The answer depends on where they work and how much experience they have.
- Freelance book editors usually earn between $25,000 and $75,000 per year.
- Editors who work for publishing companies often make $45,000 to $80,000 a year.
The very top copy editors- and those who work with bestseller authors- can earn even more than that. Editors working at a ghostwriting agency may also handle full book projects, and their pay can be higher because they take care of bigger, more complicated work.
Should You Hire a Ghostwriting Agency?
The idea of seeking out an editor, proofreader, designer, and formatter can be overwhelming, so a ghostwriting agency can provide all those services under one roof. These agencies usually offer everything in one package:
- Writing support (if you need it)
- Full editing services
- Book cover design
- Formatting for Kindle, paperback, or hardcover
- Publishing help
It’s more expensive than hiring one editor, but you get a full team to make your book ready for the world. It’s a good option if you want help with the whole process and don’t want to manage different freelancers.
How to Choose the Right Book Editor
Choosing the right editor is a big decision. Here are some tips to help:
- Ask for a sample edit. Most editors will edit a few pages for free or a small fee, so you can see if you like their style.
- Look at their experience. Make sure they have worked with your genre (romance, mystery, nonfiction, etc.).
- Read reviews and testimonials. See what other authors say about them.
- Talk about deadlines and communication. It is crucial to ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding the timing of this work and the means of communication between the two of them.
An editor is much more than a mere proofreader; an editor is an ally in turning your book into the best possible material.
Editing is an Investment in Your Success
So, how much does it cost to edit a book?
It depends — but expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for basic proofreading to several thousand for full editing.
Editing is an investment, not just an expense. A well-edited book earns readers’ trust, gets better reviews, and can open doors you might not even expect, like speaking opportunities, more book sales, or a stronger personal brand.
Remember: behind every successful book is a team that believed in making it the best it could be.
And your book? It deserves nothing less.