Do I need an editor for my book?

Having an experienced editor pass a critical eye over your work is a crucial part of the process. Why? Because it isn’t enough that your friends and family think your work is great. You’re serious about publishing your book, right? So, it’s time to get serious about editing and make sure your manuscript is in the best possible state before you start submitting to agents and publishers, or before you self publish.

That’s where I come in. I have been offering book editing services, to help people craft carefully chosen words, for over ten years. I’m also an author, so I know what it’s like to be on both sides of the process.

I want to bring my experience writing for middle-grade and young adults to help you craft your words and polish your story.

Do you need someone who is experienced in MG and YA to edit your children’s book?

No, not necessarily, but as well as writing for this age group, I also provide English and writing support to children aged 7-16 years, so I have plenty of experience working among the age group that you are particularly looking to target.

How can a book editor help you?

• As part of the book editing services I provide, I can work with you chapter-by-chapter as a mentor, guiding you through the process.
• I can assess your book manuscript in its entirety, providing constructive feedback.
• I can edit your work: there are various levels of book editing, from checking line-by-line for spelling and grammar mistakes to full developmental editing that looks at structure, plot, sense and characterisation etc.

How much do book editors charge in the UK?

The cost of book editing services varies. However, there are guidelines set out by the Society of Authors and the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proof Reading to ensure fair pay for these services.

I offer set fees for shorter texts, and this includes a full edit. Depending on the number of words, you can choose from a one-off payment or a monthly package:

£36 for up to 1500 words
£72 for up to 3000 words
£120 for up to 5000 words
£240 for up to 10,000 words

For book manuscripts over 10,000 words, please contact me for pricing. We will discuss whether you need a full developmental edit, a copy edit, or a read through.

Prices vary according to the level of work required. I have written a blog to explain more about the different types of book editing services available. Please take a look so that you can form a clearer idea of what it is you might need. A developmental edit looks at the story as a whole, checking for plot, structure and characterisation. In contrast, a copy edit will look at grammar, punctuation, spelling and sense on a sentence by sentence level.

Please take a look at my books to get a clearer idea of what I do. The Time School series is an Amazon Bestseller.

Contact me at storymakers@nikkiyoung.co.uk to arrange.