It’s a truly exciting moment when you finish the final word in the manuscript that you’ve worked so hard to write. Most authors realize that the next major step involves getting that much-loved manuscript edited, but one question tends to loom above all others when it comes to paying for an editor: How much does it cost? The answer, of course, is: It depends on the service you are interested in. Here at Kirkus, the minimum cost of an edit is $500 and increases depending on the word count and the service.

But don’t worry! I’ve included a complete breakdown of all the information you need to come up with an accurate cost estimate to get your book edited and in shape for publishing. Armed with this guide, you’ll be able to make decisions based on both your needs and your budget.

Types of Edits

First things first, here is a quick rundown of the most common types of book editing for your reference. If you’d like to take a deep dive into what different editors do, you can check out this blog post.

Developmental editing (called collaborative editing here at Kirkus): Zeroes in on big-picture issues like structure, pacing, style, and tone. In fiction, these editors focus on major factors such as plot, characterization, and dialogue. In nonfiction, the focus is more on thesis, how clear the message is throughout, issues of repetition, and if references are used appropriately.

Copyediting: Mainly a manuscript “cleanup” that focuses on language mechanics like correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and typos. Copyeditors can also do a basic review for continuity, timeline, factual accuracy, and consistency.

Proofreading (called final polish here at Kirkus): Proofreading is intended to catch any errors made when correcting issues from the copyedit round, as well as any lingering errors that might have been missed during that round. It strictly sticks to error correction, so it’s truly the last line of defense on spelling, punctuation, and formatting issues.

How Much Editing Costs

Different types of editing will vary in costs. For example, Kirkus charges 2 cents per word ($500 minimum) for basic copyediting and a fifteen business day turnaround, which is great for those needing a basic manuscript cleanup or if there’s a looming deadline; $99 for a phone call with the editor plus 3 cents per word ($500 minimum) for collaborative editing and a twenty business day turnaround, which is ideal for authors concerned about high-level issues; or $99 plus 6.5 cents per word for the Pro package, which combines a collaborative edit, a copyedit, and a final polish with a custom timeline. This one’s ideal for those who want the closest possible experience to a major publishing house process.

Note that a final polish can only be completed if a manuscript has already been through both a collaborative edit and a copyedit.

Factors That Impact Cost

These varying costs are largely because certain types of editing involve more work (in other words, they take up more of the editor’s time and expertise). There are a few other factors, however, that might affect how much you’re expected to pay for different types of editing.

The first major consideration is, as mentioned above, the level of editing that you decide to get. Collaborative editing tends to be the most expensive, as it requires the editor to take a more in-depth look and hands-on approach to your manuscript. Copyediting would be less expensive since it tackles more straightforward issues with the text, and final polish is typically the least expensive since that requires the editor to look purely at mechanics.

You also might find that editing for children’s books, which tend to be much shorter in length than a typical novel, will either cost more per word (since each sentence carries so much weight) or will charge you a flat fee in place of the typical per-word price due to that aforementioned shorter length.

Since these varying costs may seem confusing at first, I’ve included an example below for an easy breakdown of the different editing packages that Kirkus offers, along with what the final cost would look like for manuscripts of varying word lengths.

When Editing Is Worth the Investment

So how do you know when you should spend your hard-earned money on a professional edit? The answer is: almost always. The truth is that, no matter how good we think we are at correcting our mistakes, it’s almost impossible to catch them when looking at our own manuscript—we’re simply too close and too emotionally invested to consider it objectively.

And while beta readers are great, they’re usually not formally trained. Getting your work looked over by a professional editor means you have access to someone who likely has years of experience working on published books and can recognize the common (and not so common) mistakes that authors make. Their sole job is to make your book the absolute best it can be, and they can help you navigate your book within the larger market by using their knowledge of areas like your chosen genre and intended audience.

When You May Not Be Ready for an Editor Yet

While hiring a professional editor is almost always the right call, there are some instances when it would be better to put off that step. First, you need to have a completed manuscript. Don’t plan on sending in the first part and finishing it up later. The editor needs to see the entire picture (or in this case, book) before they can even begin to help you.

Secondly, the manuscript that you send to your editor should not be your rough draft. In other words, you should already have spent plenty of time rereading and reworking your first draft in order to fix any obvious plot holes, spelling errors, etc.

Writing is drafting, and redrafting, and then drafting again—if you hand your rough draft over to an editor, they will likely either tell you that your manuscript isn’t ready for editing yet or charge you an exorbitant amount for multiple rounds of editing to get it into decent shape. Either outcome isn’t ideal, so save yourself the headache and make sure you have a serviceable version of your manuscript on hand. 

FAQ

How do I choose an editor or editing service?
At Kirkus, we do all the hard work for you: We’ll match you to an editor with experience and passion in your manuscript’s genre. Each editor undergoes a battery of editing tests, and many have experience working for a top national publisher or an esteemed academic or independent press—or equivalent experience.

To choose the editing service best for you, think about what type of feedback would be most valuable to you at the particular stage you are in. You can read more about each level of service below to help you decide.

What can I expect from each level of Kirkus’s editing services?
Different types of editing produce different types of feedback. For Basic Copyediting, you will receive a detailed memo from your editor with both general feedback and specific notes; the edited manuscript with corrections that focus on the mechanics of language; all edits and queries tracked in the document using MS Word’s track-changes function.

For Collaborative Editing, you will receive a detailed memo with both general feedback and specific notes; the edited manuscript with line edits as well as comments and suggestions that focus on big-picture issues; all edits and queries tracked in the document using MS Word’s track-changes function; and a one-hour consultation call with your editor to discuss the feedback and how to approach revisions.

For the Professional Editing Package, you will receive a full collaborative edit with a one-hour phone consultation with your editor; a second round of copyediting focused on the mechanics of language, including another editorial memo and fully edited manuscript; and a third round of editing to correct lingering errors and create a clean manuscript ready for pitching or formatting.

How do I start my edit with Kirkus?
Check out our free quote tool here. Enter your word count (without commas) and other relevant info, and you’ll receive a free quote. If you choose to continue, you can check out right away. Upload your document, then fill out a questionnaire noting your book’s description and any concerns you have. We’ll make sure everything is all set, then we’ll assign an editor who’s an expert in your genre.

Andrea Moran lives outside of Nashville with her husband and two kids. She’s a professional copywriter and editor who loves all things books. Find her on LinkedIn.