19 Best Book Editing Services

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Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Are you ready to bring your book to the public but want to ensure the quality is top-notch? You’ll need professional book editing services. As an author of over twenty books, I’ve worked with tons of online editors, service providers, and even apps. So, I’ll break down some of the top book editor companies money can buy.

Choosing a Book Editor

Book editors are a dime a dozen but not all of them are a good choice for you. The best book editing services will offer several price packages, various services related to book editing, and transparency regarding their editors’ backgrounds and expertise.

You can find professional freelance editors who can do the job for a lot less than the larger companies. They offer everything from basic proofreading to minor editing and even the heaviest editing on your manuscript. 

Heavier line editing is probably one of the most common services used by authors like me. But if you’re new to the field and have a debut piece of work, consider finding freelance book editing services that will work with you to evaluate your manuscript and let you know exactly what you need with a firm price quote.

How Much Does It Cost for an Editor to Edit Your Book?

Costs for a novel editor vary widely, as they do for any self-publishing business. However, the average cost of copyediting and proofreading a book is between $1,500 and $3,000. The cost of professional editing, known as developmental editing, ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 per book.

Several writers use the Editorial Freelancers Association rates website as a reference for editorial rates. Editing and writing jobs and the hourly prices freelancers report charging for those jobs may be found on the EFA rates page. They divide editing into five distinct subfields and provide a separate section for proofreading.

How Do I Get My Book Edited?

If there is a book you really enjoyed but couldn’t put down, look in the acknowledgments to see if the author mentioned their editor. That’s actually how I found an editor I used to work with! You can readily locate professional book editors once you know where to look; many have websites, publish papers, and appear on podcasts.

Find out if the editor is familiar with and appreciates working with your chosen genre. Because people have varying standards of what constitutes a satisfactory experience, this is crucial information. You wouldn’t want an editor specializing in literary works to help you with a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller.

Verify the editor has references from satisfied authors, and if you wish to move forward, contact the customer by name. Some editors offer a free sample edit of a single chapter to help authors and editors figure out if they are a good fit to work together.

How Much Should I Pay to Have My Book Edited?

Sorry, but there are no concrete rules with this; it will depend on the length of your work, your level of experience, and the type of editing you need. When researching, you can easily compare charges because every editor lists them on their website.

Do I Need an Editor for My Book?

Revising your book before releasing it as a self-published work is essential. Investing in an editor to help you submit your finest work in pursuit of a formal publishing deal is a good idea.

The role of an editor is to make the text better than before. This can be done in several ways, including but not limited to: making structural modifications, doing line edits, suggesting new material, or refining sentences.

But it also depends on what type of editor you need. A developmental editor will focus on the story and your voice. A line editor will scan for typos and grammar mistakes. A proofreader performs the lightest editing and mostly acts as a last line of defense. 

A trained editor can spot your many flaws and provide constructive feedback on how to improve the document. While stuck in the weeds, they can see the big picture and advise you on enhancing your work.

The greatest method to make your book the best it can be is to collaborate with an editor. Take it from me; once I secured a good editor, my quality of writing took off. 

A competent editor will help you grow as a writer and improve the quality of your work; you can then use these insights for your next project.

How Can I Get My Book Edited for Free?

Having your books completely edited by a professional for free is unlikely. However, here are some tips for those short on cash and looking for affordable book editors:

  • Sell the book right to a publishing house. They have their own army of editors.
  • Ask a student to do it for you. Some future editors would be happy to add this to their portfolio.
  • Some high-quality editing services offer samples. They will, however, edit a tiny portion of your book.
  • Barter with an editor.

Several online editing services might offer free editing for the first few pages. This is a great way to test it out and see the range of editing services you require. If your manuscript needs substantial, heavy editing, many companies offer a professional editing package with everything you need.

How Long Does It Take to Edit a Book?

The time it takes to edit a book is often underestimated by authors who are under pressure to get their novels published quickly.

Although the amount of time needed to edit a book varies from one work to the next, it is recommended that at least one calendar month be set aside for the edit, with more time for rewrites and research. Consider allocating extra time for tasks that must be completed before a book can be released to the public.

Many online book editors claim they can edit a book in 24 hours. Don’t trust that; it’s literally impossible. You don’t need to look for award-winning editors or anything, but you do need a detail-oriented editor with experience who you can trust to do the job.

19 Top Book Editing Companies

I’ve worked with several of these fiction editors. Each one offers things that would appeal to different writers at various stages, so keep reading to find one that works for you.

Ebook Launch

Ebook Launch 1

Ebook Launch was founded in 2011, and they have expanded its business. They are working toward becoming one of the most successful book editing organizations in the sector. They are happy to provide editing that is of excellent quality and adheres to professional standards at pricing that are reasonable. They provide a free sample edit to determine whether or not the two of you can work together. This lets you to test out their services without taking any risks.

The Book Butchers

Book Butchers

Book Butchers is a team of experienced editors dedicated to fine-tuning manuscripts. They offer a range of editing services, from basic proofreading to thorough content analysis, they cater to the distinct needs of each manuscript. Their team comprises published authors and professional editors.

The Blue Garrett

The Blue Garret

The Blue Garrett is an editing company willing to edit works in various fiction subgenres. In terms of non-fiction, they are interested in receiving autobiographies, cookbooks, works on self-help, and general non-fiction. At the moment, they have three different editing packages available. You can get a free sample edit from The Blue Garrett by filling out their new client form and letting them know you are interested in using their services. You can contact them by e-mail if you have any questions or issues.

Edit911

Edit 911

Edit911 is a global editing company that operates out of locations in Los Angeles, California, and Oviedo, Florida. Their editors all hold PhDs in a variety of fields, thus setting the company apart from its competition. They can work on a wide variety of manuscripts, including works of fiction and non-fiction. Edit911 suggests their Premier package to authors who only need very light editing done on their work.

Kirkus Editorial

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews was initially established in 1933 as a book review magazine, and it is now also a provider of editorial services. The company only recruits editors who have previously edited works published by reputable publishing houses, and they hold all of their editors to the greatest standards possible.

I’ve used their manuscript editor once before, but here’s my experience. They’re extremely hard to secure, and the editors are relentless. They don’t hold back. So, if you’ve yet to develop a thick skin as an author, I would maybe hold off.

First Editing

First Editing 1

First Editing was established by JoEllen Taylor in 1994 and is currently based in Florida. Since the company was founded, they have assisted over 40,000 authors from all over the world with the transformation of their manuscripts into works of art. The editors that make up their team have been thoroughly screened and selected because of their passion for assisting authors in this endeavor.

Editage

Editage 1

Editage is an editing company that was established in 2002. Even though most of their clients are academics and researchers, they provide editing services to authors of both fictional and non-fictional works. They offer a regular book editing package, with a starting price of $170. In addition, they offer a consulting book editing package that begins at $250 that includes feedback on pacing, narrative, and character development.

DLA Editors & Proofers

DLA

David Lombardino established DLA Editors & Proofers in 2008 as a copyediting business and is now a Houston-based editing company. Their editors have a total experience of more than 50 years, and they can work on any form of content, including novels. You can also turn to their non-fiction editing services for proofreading, copyediting, and more.

The Artful Editor

Artful Editor 1

The Artful Editor is a company specializing in editing books headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2010, this company offers a wide range of services for book writers, including manuscript review and critique, line editing, and developmental editing. Aside from the manuscripts for full-length books, they also work on anthologies of essays, graphic novels, collections of short tales, and picture books for children.

Kevin Anderson & Associates

Kevin Anderson

Kevin Anderson & Associates is a company that operates out of New York that specializes in ghostwriting and editing. They have an amazing customer roster, including numerous first-time authors, the Big Five publishing firms, authors who have books that are bestsellers in the New York Times, and even celebrities.

The Literary Consultancy

Literary Consultancy

Rebecca Swift and Hannah Griffiths established The Literary Consultancy in 1996. This London-based editing company has expertise in evaluating manuscripts and can work on novels, children’s stories, short stories, screenplays, and others. They also offer basic editing services, such as proofreading and copyediting.

The History Quill

History Quill

The History Quill is an editing company focusing on historical fiction headquartered in the United Kingdom. They offer content editing, which focuses on the big-picture aspects of the book, such as the historical validity of the story, the narrative, character development, structure, and setting. You can receive either a structural report, which will cost you £9 per 1000 words, or an editor’s report, which will cost you £6 per 1000.

Jericho Writers

Jericho Writers

Jericho Writers dates back to 2004. They provide authors of fiction and non-fiction with a variety of editing services, as well as writing classes, editorial guidance, and editorial assistance. Their services include reading and evaluating manuscripts, editing, and proofreading text, reading and evaluating agency submission packages, and reading and evaluating the beginning sections of manuscripts.

West Coast Editorial Associates

West Coast Editorial

Editing services are also provided by West Coast Editorial Associates, a Canadian company that has been in business continuously since 1992. They have collaborated with various clients throughout their careers, including enterprises, publishers, authors, and government agencies. They provide editing services of an exceptionally high level. In addition to that, they provide one-on-one mentoring. Their prices change depending on the particulars of the project that they are working on.

The Darling Axe

Darling Axe

The Darling Axe is a Canadian editing company. It offers professional book editing services and comprises industry specialists and writers who have won awards for their work. Their fees change depending on the amount of work that needs to be done on the manuscript; however, if you provide them a sample of 5,000 words, they will provide you with a quote in addition to a free sample edit of 1,000 words.

The Editing Company

Editing Company

Beth McAuley established The Editing Company in 2007 and has provided various editorial services to clients since then. These services include layout, design, publishing consulting, indexing, and others. They do not edit fiction because that is not their area of expertise. Their areas of interest include autobiographies, physical fitness and nutrition, art historical research, life coaching, and others.

Invisible Ink Editing

Invinsible Ink

Liam Carnahan established Invisible Ink Editing as a professional Australian editing company. They take great delight in providing input that is both truthful and useful while at the same time preserving the author’s voice and vision. They provide editing packages for authors that desire a more in-depth edit of their work. The quality of editing that is necessary and the length of the document both have an impact on the price that is charged.

The Expert Editor

Expert Editor

The Expert Editor is a quality and trusted proofreading and editing company based in Australia and established in 2012. They provide authors of fiction and non-fiction with a variety of services, such as manuscript assessment, proofreading, and editing. You may receive an estimate of how much it will cost to edit your book using the price calculator on their website.

Zero Alchemy

Zero Alchemy 1

It doesn’t take much convincing of Zero Alchemy’s professionalism and expertise; just visit their team page to see. The astonishing editors on that team are USA Today bestselling authors who have worked with Wall Street Journal, indie authors, book festival founders, former healthcare professionals, and more!

I use them regularly, not just for editing services but for help crafting blurbs, query letters, and even career coaching. I can’t recommend them enough; they’re amazing.

Where to Find Quality Freelance Book Editors

Facebook

Online writing communities are a goldmine of information that can be helpful at any stage of the writing process, which may surprise some. This was actually the first place I looked when first looking for an editor to work with.

There are many editorial-related Facebook groups, such as EAE Ad Space, whose stated goal is to connect editors with clients. Or Beta Readers and Critique Partners, where you can find editing assistance. It’s always worth asking your online writing communities for recommendations on reliable editors.

Ebook Launch

When you need some help editing your book and feel like a freelance editor is the right approach, Ebook Launch can help. Get your book professionally edited for rates starting at $0.007 per word for proofreading and $0.016 for copy editing. Those are great rates if you ask me.

Editorial Freelancers Association

Even if downloading an app or signing up for an all-inclusive program can save you time and effort, working directly with a professional freelancer or consultant can often result in a more affordable and individualized solution. The Editorial Freelancers Association is not only one of the largest collectives of experienced freelance editors but also an excellent resource for people who require their assistance.

ACES: The Society for Editing

ACES is a wonderful resource for finding freelance book editors. The Editors for Hire Directory on this website provides a listing of professional editors from all around the world, along with information regarding their particular services, areas of expertise, and contact information.

Manuscript Wish List

However, if you already have a polished manuscript, you can use it to discover freelance book editors. Manuscript Wish List is a resource for locating agencies once you have a completed manuscript. The directory provides a search tool that includes many filters and offers a list of book editors in alphabetical order by their first name. In addition, the profiles include information on the editors’ areas of expertise in the content.

Pro Tip: This is also the hub for finding agents to query if you want to go the traditional publishing route.

NY Book Editors

Manuscript Wish List is a solution for locating agencies once you have a manuscript that has been edited to a satisfactory level; however, you can also use it to discover freelance book editors.

The directory provides a search tool that includes various applicable filters. It lists editor profiles in alphabetical order according to the first name of each editor. Additionally, the directory describes the types of content that each editor specializes in.

BookBaby

BookBaby is geared exclusively toward those who intend to self-publish their work. The company can assist with all aspects of the publishing process. The services are sold on an à la carte basis, and the total price you will be responsible for paying is determined by the specific type of assistance you require.

Upwork

Upwork is the kind of finding just about any type of freelancer you need. Whether it’s a book editor, a graphic designer, a virtual personal assistant, or a ghostwriter, Upwork has it all. You post a job offer and have different freelance editors bid with a proposal and editing samples of their work. You have access to past reviews that tell you how good a particular editor is and make a choice based on the information in front of you.

Wrap Up

Before you turn to any of these best book editing services, you must ensure your editor is familiar with and appreciates your chosen genre. This is vitally important since people have varying standards of a satisfactory outcome. There are different levels of editing; determine which one is for you.