Affordable Book Editing :
Find the Best Edit For Less

There are basically two kinds of book editing services –- those that are commercially experienced and those who are not. Online searches are dominated by the inexperienced, who try everything to get your business, including paid placement at the top of search results, impressive website development and sample edits. The real professionals don’t resort to these tactics.

Finding affordable book editing without compromising quality begins with making your manuscript edit-worthy by eliminating all possible errors yourself. Many of the best book editors won’t accept every manuscript submitted to them. Beware of any who seem to work too hard to get your business.

Prepare Your Manuscript For Book Editing

• Use software to help clear up minor errors: Software such as Grammarly will help improve grammar and readability. ProWritingAid provides style, grammar, and readability checks. Hemingway Editor highlights overly complex sentences.

Note that software alone, however, cannot replace the services of a professional book editor. It’s imperative to do your best to improve your manuscript because the most skilled and reputable book editors don’t accept every manuscript presented to them. They require an element of professionalism in the books they choose to edit.

• Use beta readers or critique groups for feedback: Beware, however. Keep in mind that beta readers and critique groups are unlikely to know anymore than you about what constitutes a publishable manuscript; otherwise, they would be further along in their own pursuits.

Start Your Search

 The best book editing is neither the least expensive nor the most costly; it’s somewhere in between.

• Research Editors with Experience in Your Genre: An editor familiar with your genre will better understand its conventions and audience expectations. Look at their portfolio or past work, and read testimonials or reviews from previous clients. For example, an editor heavily experienced in the romance genre will be of little assistance to a writer of science fiction.

• Look for Freelance Book Editing Services: Freelance editors often offer more reasonable rates than larger editing firms and can be more experienced. These editors are not likely to be associated with platforms like Reedsy, Upwork or Fiverr, and maintain their own independent web sites.

• Look Deeper Into Search Results: Search engines are not as smart as you think. Read Don't Trust Online Searches! for cost-saving, realistic advice.

• Don’t Fall For Sample Edits: Universal advice tells you to get a sample edit before hiring an editor.

Sounds practical, huh?

Sample edits supposedly provide an example of what you can expect from a full scale edit, but do they really?

Not hardly.

Major manuscript problems, such as poor pacing, point of view violations, faulty characterization, etc. can't be evaluated through a small sample. In fact, only insignificant issues that don't really matter are detectable in a few pages.

Do you really want to choose book editing services on the basis of how effectively the small stuff is detected?

Sample edits are worth what they cost. Nothing.

• Ask for recommendations from other writers: Members of your critique group and Facebook groups like The Write Life Community or Reddit communities like r/writing may volunteer their experiences with authors to contact or avoid.

• Don't be flattered by inflated praise of your manuscript: When you initiate contact with editors and submit your manuscript, don't be fooled by advance sugar-coated praise of their first sight of your work.

Some editors will say virtually anything to get your business, so pause to consider if their accolades are genuine.

Book editing is an honored profession. The best editors don’t beg for business. In fact, they often reject more submissions than they accept.

If you detect even the slightest level of come-ons or false encouragement, look elsewhere.

• Don’t be fooled by “Best Editors” or “Top Ten Editors” lists: While they may appear authoritative, they’re far from it.

Read "Best Book Editors?" Says Who? for the truth.

Compare Competitive Rates

• Editing costs are often charged per word, page, or hour. Average rates range from $0.01 to $0.06 per word: My fee, for instance, should you qualify, is $0.025 per word, near the bottom of this range.

You can spend a lot of money for a poor edit or far less money for a great edit, but be wary of rates that seem too low—they usually indicate inexperience or a come-on to higher charges. For some eye-opening observations, read The World's Worst Book Editors!

Never enter an open-ended agreement such as an hourly rate unless a cap guarantees a maximum fee.

Assess Editor Credentials:

• Industry experience trumps everything else: Editors who have worked for major publishers know what publishers want (and don’t want) more than anyone else. A cheap edit by an inexperienced editor is not only useless; it can also damage your career path.