How Much Does a Book Editor Cost?

If you're here, you fall into one of these two buckets: you've written your first book or plan on writing one soon. Either way, you'll need someone to edit your book to get it in good shape.

That begs the question: how much does a book editor cost?

We've sourced the data from industry associations like the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) and the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).

The rates are also adjusted for inflation in The United States of America (USA) based on when the data was last published.

Book editing cost ultimately varies based on the type of book and genre.

At a glance, here are typical costs for different types of book editing:

• Proofreading: $0.02 to $0.06 per word or $37 to $54 per hour

• Line editing: $0.05 to $0.06 per word or $54 to $59 per hour

• Copy editing: $0.03 to $0.08 per word or $43 to $59 per hour

• Developmental editing: $0.04 to $0.08 a word or $48 to $84 per hour

Whether you're self-publishing or going the traditional publishing route—we'll break down the typical costs for editing, the factors that influence the costs, and what to ask an editor before hiring them.

What are typical book editing services prices?

The costs of book editing varies based on the services you receive. Let’s break it down.

Proofreading

Hire a proofreader if you need a final check for surface-level errors like spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It's the last line of defense and ensures your manuscript is polished.

Here are the typical rates for proofreading:

• Per-word: $0.02 to $0.06 a word

• Per hour: $37 to $54 per hour

• Per page: $6 to $18 per page

As proofreading is the final step, you can choose a less experienced book editor to save costs unless it's a technical book.

Line editing

Line editing, or stylistic editing, focuses on the language and how it's phrased. For example, the line editor refines sentences for clarity or improves the author's writing style.

The goal is to ensure the text is as consistent as possible and clearly brings the narrative forward.

Here are the typical rates for line editing:

• Per-word: $0.05 to $0.06 a word

• Per hour: $55 to $59 per hour

• Per page: $15 to $18 per page

When it comes to line editing, the rates can be higher than the given range if the subject matter is pretty technical.

Also, if your manuscript has too many inconsistencies, you could pay up to $0.09 per word or $27 per page.

Copy editing

Copy editing is a much more extensive form of line editing. Here, editors take it up a notch and review things like:

• Spelling

• Grammar

• Syntax

• Formatting

• Facts

• Legalities

• Style guide adherence

Here's a list of industry-standard rates for copy editing:

• Per-word: $0.03 to $0.08 a word

• Per hour: $43 to $59 per hour

• Per page: $9 to $24 per page

In this case, the editor will take longer to return the manuscript due to the number of issues they need to check for.

Developmental editing

Developmental editing is the most intensive form of editing. It focuses on deeper aspects of the manuscript, such ast:

• Structure

• Organization

• Content

For example, if you're writing a fiction novel, the editor will review how the narrative develops, the story's pacing, and the character arcs. If you need a complete edit done, choose this service.

Here's a list of industry-standard rates for developmental editing:

• Per-word: $0.04 to $0.08 a word

• Per hour: $48 to $84 per hour

• Per page: $12 to $24 per page

You can expect to pay between $4,000 to $20,000 for a 250-page book, depending on the genre and additional work involved—for example, indexing, formatting, citations, etc.

Why is book editing so expensive?

There are many factors influencing the final cost of book editing. Some of them include the following:

• Editor's expertise and skill

• Time and effort involved

• Market rates and demand

• Service customization

Book editing seems expensive when you look at the upfront cost, but it saves a lot of time during the publishing process. You can either spend days or weeks editing your manuscript or get a quick turnaround from an experienced professional.

Also, you might not be aware of the nuances involved in professional editing. For instance, following MLA or APA style. Then if you're too close to the work, it's hard to find errors and inconsistencies.

When you take the long view, the math works out as it saves back and forth with the publishing house.

Which factors influence the cost of professional book editing?

Let's look at how book editors decide on their pricing:

1. Type of editing

The type of editing is the primary determinant of the final editing rates. Different levels of editing require varying levels of effort and skill from the editor.

For example, a simple proofread means that the editor has to review the entire document one last time for errors.

But a developmental edit? That type of in-the-weeds work requires a high level of attention and time commitment. You can't expect an editor to review it fast because that could waste time and money.

So, consider the type of edit you need before contacting a professional book editor.

2. Length of the manuscript

You can't expect an editor to turn in a 50,000-word book in three days. Especially if you need a copy edit or developmental edit.

The higher the word count and complexity of the edit, the higher the cost. There are many factors to account for, and a longer manuscript complicates the process.

3. Editor’s qualifications

Usually, a book editor has a Bachelor's degree in Communication, English, or Literature. Some have advanced degrees in specific subjects if they're catering to a more technical market, such as the sciences or business.

Plus, they may be a part of associations, such as EFA, The Editor's Association of Canada, or your country's equivalent. In some cases, they may have credentials to support their expertise, indicating the quality of their skill set.

If your book editor has such qualifications, they could demand a significantly higher rate. It’s worth it because they'll follow a higher editorial standard and showcase a deeper understanding of your industry/genre.

4. Editor’s experience

As with any job or freelance role, years of experience dictate how much editors can charge. An entry-level book editor with a Bachelor's degree commands a much lower rate than one with over a decade of experience.

So, if costs are a huge factor, decide how comfortable you are with a junior-level editor.

5. Genre of the book

If you're publishing a piece of fiction that's less demanding, like romance or teen stories, the editing cost will be lower.

However, genres like fantasy and science fiction need an editor familiar with the necessary conventions and story building, commanding a higher cost.

In this case, an editor will also offer an editorial assessment or manuscript critique before editing. It's a high-level review of aspects such as:

• Structure

• Plot holes

• Pacing

• Tone

• Characters

As for non-fiction, you should be prepared to pay higher rates. These editors typically have advanced degrees and industry expertise to justify those rates.

6. Book’s complexity

Academic texts or historical works are highly demanding. These books require:

• Footnotes

• Endnotes

• Citations

• Fact-checking

• Indexing

The editorial involvement is relatively high, increasing the cost of editing. The more complex the manuscript, the higher the price.

7. Delivery date

On Fiverr, freelance book editors set their own delivery timelines. However, if you need a quicker turnaround, there's a rush fee added to the final order.

It's best to contact an editor early to determine the costs and timeline. This prevents last-minute rushes and additional expenses.

Many in-demand editors have an existing queue of books to edit. If you're ready to jump the queue, they'll have to deprioritize another project for yours—which will be reflected in the final cost.

8. Author’s sample

Most editors ask for a sample of your manuscript before providing the final quote. It lets them review your writing style and the required editing level.

Plus, a potential editor can see how much time they’ll need to spend editing.

A manuscript with too many typos and structural issues would result in higher rates because it requires substantive editing. It reflects how much effort they'll put into bringing the manuscript to a publishable standard.

Can you reduce the cost of book editing?

If you have a reasonably low budget, self-editing is one way to prepare the manuscript for your editor.

Do one or two passes to edit common errors before sending it off. Check for the following issues:

• Redundancies

• Spelling errors

• Punctuation issues

• Parallelism errors

• Dialogue issues

• Style consistency

You can use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to catch grammatical errors easily.

Also, take over additional tasks like formatting and indexing to reduce the cost of editing. These tasks take time, but you'll be better off doing them to lower costs.

If you're writing a fiction book, consider hiring a beta reader to get feedback first. They'll offer insights at a lower cost so you can make adjustments before hiring an editor.

8 questions to ask a book editor before working with them

As someone who has been on the other end of the stick, this is what I recommend clients to ask before entering an editing engagement:

1. What type of editing do you do?

The final manuscript will not be up to par if you hire developmental editing from a copy editor.

Also, some editors excel at giving big-picture feedback and structural issues but don't have the skill to fact-check or cite using standard formats. So, ask them about their exact skill set before working with them.

2. What kind of books do you edit?

Experienced editors tend to stick to specific genres to provide consistent results.

A children's book editor would need editing skills different from those of an academic editor. And the genre dictates the conventions and audience expectations.

Clarify this beforehand and choose an editor who understands your industry well.

3. How long have you been working as an editor?

More experienced editors are familiar with industry standards and current market trends. They're also more likely to offer insights into your book's marketability.

So, if you need a high standard of editorial oversight, choose a veteran editor (5+ years of experience).

4. How long will it take for you to edit [specific page count]?

An editor's timeline can vary based on their bandwidth, editing speed, and level of editing required.

We recommend speaking to an editor first and telling them about your needs before placing an order. This avoids misunderstanding or scheduling conflicts.

5. What’s your per-word or hourly rate for editing?

Different editors have different pricing packages. Some charge by the hour, while others charge per word or by page.

Each pricing method has its pros and cons. For example, per-word pricing could be expensive if your manuscript is too long. At the same time, per-hour pricing could cost more if you're working with a relatively inexperienced editor who takes more time.

Discuss the pricing model before engaging the editor to prevent surprises when the invoice arrives. Compare it to average rates in the publishing industry to see if it’s worth the cost.

If you’ve done a sample edit and are confident in their abilities, consider paying a flat fee to the professional editor.

6. How much do you charge for revisions?

Many editors charge half their original rate for extra revisions. For more complex projects, the project could run longer than intended. So always factor in these costs early on.

If you’re unsure of their editing style, ask for a sample edit of one chapter for a small fee.

Asking this question upfront clarifies the actual cost of content editing. And if needed, ask the editor to cover another round of revisions.

7. Do you charge a rush fee? If so, how much?

Let's say you need a quicker turnaround for your manuscript. Ask the editor how much it’d cost to jump the queue.

It'll be mutually beneficial, and the editor will likely accept your request.

8. What level of complexity are you comfortable with?

If you want to take a more hands-off approach and get everything done by the editor, ask them if they'd be willing to do it. For example, they can handle everything from fact-checking to indexing and formatting.

This question is particularly relevant for academic works, technical manuals, and heavily researched non-fiction.

Access the best editors in the business with Fiverr

Hiring a book editor can be a time-consuming process. There's a lot you need to think about before hiring one.

Like whether you have time or budget constraints or the type of editing you need. And if you're fairly new in the publishing world, finding the right editor can feel daunting.

Consider hiring freelance editors from marketplaces such as Fiverr. At Fiverr, you can find a host of professional book editors using search criteria like:

• Language

• Genre

• Country

• Experience

• Pro vetted

• Budget Range

The process is as transparent as possible, as you can see what each service offers and how much it costs.

And if you have any questions, you can directly chat with our freelance talent before placing an order. This process lets you make informed decisions and leverage talent based on your needs.

Ready to hire your first book editing specialist? Sign up for Fiverr today.