Having your book edited by a professional can be an invaluable part of the process. But how much does it cost to have your book edited? Before we look at that, let’s consider why you should include this as part of your author journey. Many first-time authors make the mistake of finishing their book and sending it off to an agent without having had any editing help. Then they wonder why they get a rejection.

Why have your book edited?

If you’re looking to get an agent, you are competing against so many other authors. Your manuscript has to stand out. It may get picked apart or you may even be asked to rewrite it once you get an agent, but that’s not the point. You need to get an agent to notice your story in the first place. And an agent is not your editor. A stronger book manuscript means a higher chance of being picked out from the slush pile.

Do I still need to get my book edited if I’m planning to self-publish?

If you’re going down the road of self-publishing, as many authors choose to do these days to have control over their work, then it goes without saying that you should have a book editor as part of your team.

Is book editing an investment worth making?

It’s not just about the cost to have your book edited, it’s about the worth. You want your book to be the best it can be, right? Hiring a professional book editor, therefore, can be invaluable. It’s like anything in life that you build or make, you get out of it what you put in. Investment in the right tools will help you ultimately build the best product.

What do you charge for book editing?

You will see that if you go to the website of the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders, there are recommendations for suggested minimum rates for editors. There are also rates and fees suggested by the Society of Authors. The cost to have your book edited will vary according to the level of experience of the editor. However, these recommended rates also take into account time as well as living costs for those providing writing services.

I am a member of the CIEP and have proofreading qualifications as well as editing experience. I have been providing writing and editing services for over fifteen years, and I am the author of five children’s books (middle grade to early YA).

What is does the book editing process look like?

I tend to offer a combination of developmental and line editing to my book editing clients. This is because I focus mainly on children’s books and YA, which tend to be shorter than adult books. I will point out any major spelling and grammar errors as I come across them, but will not focus specifically on this aspect until the manuscript has reached the next stage.

For stories up to 10,000 words long, I charge £24 per 1000 words. Beyond that, there is a slight reduction to £22 per 1000 for up to 20,000, £20 per 1000 for up to 30,000 and £18 for over 40,000 words.

If having your book edited seems like an investment too far, talk to your editor. They may be able to offer a payment plan to make it more affordable. Don’t skip this if you can possibly help it. For more information, refer to my Book Editing Services page.