What Does a Book Editor Do?
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
When writers first start investigating the publishing landscape, they might be curious about the role of the book editor in the industry. Even though a book editor is crucial to the success of any manuscript, there’s some confusion about what a book editor actually does. If you ask a group of non-publishing people what a book editor does, chances are good that at least one of them will say “editors fix prose for people who can’t write.” And while there’s some truth to that, a book editor isn’t just a fixer for bad writing. Far from it.
What Does a Book Editor Do?
A book editor is a crucial partner for well-published, award-winning authors who have no problem with knowing how to write. What’s the difference between a debut novel, a self-published smash hit, and a Pulitzer-prize winning bestseller? Well, they’ve all been worked on by a book editor.
So what does a book editor really do? It depends on the project. A book editor might be hired just to give feedback on an outline or concept for a book (or even a single chapter). They might be hired directly by a writer who is struggling with something or hoping to make a great impression when they submit to literary agents. A book editor might dive into full developmental editing to help a concept reach its ultimate potential. Or a book editor might be brought in at the very end of the process to proofread and polish the manuscript before it goes to print. The level of involvement varies from project to project and writer to writer. Some writers and authors rely on a book editor throughout their process, and some will only call one if they hit a roadblock.
How Much Does a Book Editor Cost?
This is perhaps the most common question people have when they start thinking about hiring a book editor—how much is this going to cost me? The answer, unfortunately, is “it depends.” There are so many factors that go into pricing an editing project (the length of the finished product, the level of editing required, the type of editing provided, etc.), that it’s impossible to give a definitive answer without knowing more about your specific project. That said, I can give you some general guidelines for when you’re looking to hire an editor.
There are different levels of editing that different editors can perform, or that can be performed by a full-service book editor. A basic proofreading service of your manuscript usually costs between $.01 and $.02 per word. Some proofreaders charge by manuscript page, in the range of $1.50 to $3.50 per page.
Copy editing is one step up in terms of comprehensiveness, and copy editing rates for your manuscript usually cost between $.02 and $.04 per word. Some copy editors charge by manuscript page, in the range of $2.50 to $5.
Book Editor Line Editing Cost
Line editing is one step up from copy editing and involves creative feedback on your project, that’s why it often costs more. Experience and talent varies much more widely here, with a book editor can charge a considerable amount of money for this service. You will see a broader range of prices here, and these figures are usually commensurate with experience. Line editing rates for your manuscript usually cost between $.04 and $.09 per word. Some copy editors charge by manuscript page, in the range of $5 to $15 per page. A good average for editorial service rates here is $.06 per word or $12 per page.
Book Editor Developmental Editing Cost
Developmental editing is the cream of the crop. It’s the most detailed, comprehensive, and thoughtful editing you can buy, and it usually costs the most. When writers consider hiring a book editor, they often imagine receiving this type of editing. Your potential editor’s qualifications matter a lot when providing this type of service, and that is why you can find prices all over the map. How much does a book editor cost? Developmental editing rates for your manuscript usually cost between $.07 and $.12 per word. Some developmental editors charge by manuscript page, in the range of $7.50 to $20 per page. A good average for developmental editorial service rates here is $.09 per word or $15 per page.
Where Can I Find A Book Editor?
If you’ve decided that working with a book editor is right for you, then your next step is finding one! If you have any writer friends or colleagues, see if they have any recommendations for editors who have proven effective for them. If that doesn’t yield any results, your next best bet is searching online using terms like “professional writer” or “freelance editor.” Just make sure to vet anyone you're considering working with carefully.
Check out their website and blog (if they have one), read some of their previous work (if possible), and make sure they seem like someone you could realistically work with on a long-term basis before making any commitments. A book editor should be able to furnish a sample edit, or provide references. Ideally, the book editor you consider hiring will have experience that’s relevant to your category.
Hiring a professional book editor can be a great way to polish your manuscript and to get feedback on issues you can’t see yourself—but it's important to understand what they do and how much they cost before getting started. By following these guidelines, you should be able to find a great book editor who will help you make your manuscript shine.
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