Congrats! You’ve just finished the first draft of your book and now you might be considering getting it professionally edited. Some may consider a professional editor before they query (though there is an industry-wide debate on whether that’s a good idea or not) or you’re determined to be self-published, and hiring a skilled editor is key to transforming your draft into a polished and publishable book. The only remaining questions are how much is a professional editor and how can you find the right one for your specific project? 

Understanding Different Types of Editors 

Before diving into the costs of an editor, it is important to understand that there are multiple types of editing. Different editors perform different roles in the development of a manuscript.

  • Developmental Editing: This is the most in-depth type of editing. It focuses on the structure, content, and overall pacing of your draft. Getting a developmental editor will help you refine the plot, characters, and story. They may suggest rewrites and restructuring to improve the smoothness and flow of your writing. 
  • Line Editing: Line editors work to edit your draft on a sentence-by-sentence level. They focus on tone, flow, and writing style to make sure that your language is clear and consistent throughout the entirety of your manuscript. 
  • Copy Editing: A copy editor focuses on grammar, punctuation, syntax, and consistency in your writing. They will correct any typos, grammatical issues, or spelling errors to ensure that your draft is polished and reader-friendly. 
  • Proofreading: Proofreading is the final editing step before publishing. A proofreader catches any lingering typos, formatting errors, and overlooked mistakes. Proofreaders typically do not edit anything regarding style or structure, but make sure that the manuscript is ready for publication. 

You can read more in-depth about the different types of editing here. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Editor?

The cost of hiring an editor varies depending on the type of editing, the experience level of the editor, and the length and content within your manuscript. Here are some of the general cost ranges based on the 2024 editing industry standards:

  • Developmental Editing: This is usually the most expensive type of editing because of the amount of work that goes into developmental editing. For a 70,000-word manuscript, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000. Some editors may charge by the hour, which can be between $45 to $75 per hour. While other editors charge by the word, which can typically range from $0.08 to $0.15 per word. 
  • Line Editing: Line editing tends to cost less than developmental editing but is still more expensive than simple copy editing. You can expect to pay between $0.04 and $0.09 per word. For a 70,000-word manuscript, this would range from $1,000 to $2,000. 
  • Copy Editing: This is one of the cheapest editing services and is typically priced between $0.02 and $0.05 per word, or $700 to $3,000 depending on the length of the manuscript. Some editors charge per hour, typically between $30 to $60 per hour. 
  • Proofreading: Proofreading is the most simple and most affordable type of editing, often ranging from $0.01 to $0.02 per word. For a 70,000 word document proofreading might cost between $700 and $1,400. 

It is also important to note that some editors offer package deals for combining multiple types of editing. These package deals can help reduce the overall cost of editing, rather than paying for each of these separately. 

Factors That Influence Editing Costs

  • Editor’s Experience: Editors with more experience in the industry and a track record of working with successful authors often charge higher rates. If editors have credentials from prestigious organizations or have edited best-selling books, their rates are going to be higher than the average editing rate. 
  • Genre: You’d be surprised, but the genre of your book does affect the editing price. Some genres, such as academic or technical books, can be more expensive to edit because of the specialized knowledge that is required to edit them. Fiction and nonfiction prices can vary as well, with memoirs often requiring more intensive editing compared to other types of nonfiction. 
  • Length and Complexity of the Draft: The longer the draft, the more it will cost to edit because of the amount of time that it will take. Additionally, if your draft requires multiple revisions or is very complicated it will be an increased cost. 
  • Turnaround Time: If you need your manuscript edited on a tight deadline, you will most likely have to pay extra for rushed services. 

Ways to Find and Hire an Editor

There are multiple outlets through which to find and hire an editor. Here are the most common: 

  • Freelance Editors: Hiring a freelance editor can be one of the most flexible and cost-effective options. There are many amazing platforms for finding freelance editors:
  • Reedsy is a marketplace for vetted professionals in the publishing industry. On Reedsy you can find experienced editors who offer a wide variety of editing services.
  • Upwork and Fiverr are freelance sites that allow you to hire editors, often at more competitive prices. However, it is important to vet and check your freelancers carefully on these platforms to make sure that they have the skills and experience needed to edit your draft. 
  • Publishing Services Companies: Some companies offer editing as a part of their services for self-publishing authors. Companies like BookBaby and Kirkus Editorial provide professional editing packages that cover many types of editing. However, these packages are typically more expensive than hiring a freelance editor directly. 
  • Editing Agencies: There are editing agencies that exist specifically to provide writers with editors. These agencies offer agents who specialize in all different genres and types of editing. NY Book Editors and FirstEditing are examples of agencies that can match you with an editor based on your manuscript’s needs.
  • Referrals from Other Authors: Networking within writing communities (both online and offline) is an excellent way to find a trusted editor. Many authors find their editors through recommendations from other authors or through social media platforms like X or LinkedIn. 

Important Questions to Ask an Editor Before Hiring

One of the most important, but often most forgotten, parts of hiring an editor is to ask them questions to ensure that they are the right fit for your project. Here are some great questions to ask:

  • What types of books have you edited before?
    • Make sure that you hire an editor who is familiar with your genre of writing. Editing a science fiction novel requires different skills than editing a memoir or business book.
  • Can you provide samples of your work?
    • Many editors can either send you a sample of their previous works with a document containing a before and after sample of their editing. Or they will offer to edit a small piece of your writing, often a few pages so that you can see their editing style. 
  • What is your turnaround time?
    • Always make sure that your editors’ turnaround time aligns with your publishing goals and deadlines. 
  • How do you charge for your services?
    • See how your desired charges are and make sure that their rates are within your budget. Editors can charge hourly, per word, or page and base their pay on the length of your manuscript.
  • Do you have references from other authors?
    • Ask for reviews or statements from past clients to ensure the editor is professional and produces quality work.

Hiring a professional editor is one of the best investments you can make in your writing career. While costs do vary widely depending on the type of writing, a professional editor will leave you with a clean and ready-to-publish manuscript.