The big picture
Developmental editing
Structure, plot or argument, pacing, character arcs and what is missing or not working.
Best when: You have a complete draft but aren't sure the story or argument holds together.
3 to 6 weeksFrom $2,500
Manuscript Editing
Book Editing Services That Respect Your Voice
Every manuscript needs a second pair of trained eyes before readers see it. Our editors tighten the writing, fix what is broken and explain their changes so you learn from the process.
Chapter 3 · page 41
TheirThere was a long silence after she said it, and Martha who. Martha, who had been waiting for this moment for yearswaited years for this moment, suddenly didntdidn't know what she wanted to say. She looked down at her hands, which were shaking, and then she looked backshaking hands, then up at him again.
Editor's note: “Back” and “again” say the same thing. Cut one and the moment lands harder.
- US and UK English editors
- Every change tracked, you decide
- Free sample edit before you commit
Four levels of editing, matched to your draft
Most books need one or two of these, not all four. Our free sample edit tells you which.
Sentence by sentence
Line editing
Rhythm, clarity, tone and word choice, trimming repetition without flattening your voice.
Best when: The structure works, but the prose feels flat, wordy or uneven.
3 to 5 weeksFrom $2,500
Clean and consistent
Copyediting
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and consistency, checked against a style sheet for your book.
Best when: Your draft reads well and you want it correct before formatting.
2 to 4 weeksFrom $1,200
The final pass
Proofreading
Typos, missing words and layout errors on the formatted pages, right before publication.
Best when: Your book is edited and formatted, and you need a last check.
1 to 2 weeksFrom $650
Why authors choose our editors
Good editing is as much about the working relationship as the red pen.
An editor who knows your genre
Thrillers, memoirs, business books and children's stories each have their own rules. We match you with an editor who reads and edits in your category.
Changes you can see and question
Every edit arrives as tracked changes with margin notes that explain the why. You accept or reject each one, so the book stays yours.
One person to talk to
A dedicated editor and project manager answer your questions throughout, with a delivery date agreed before work begins.
Help all the way to print
When the edit is done, the same team can format, design and publish your book, so nothing is lost between hand-offs.
Who our editing is for
Whether you have a rough first draft or a near-final manuscript, there is a level of editing that fits where your book is right now.
- Authors with a complete first draft who are unsure whether the structure works
- Writers preparing to query literary agents who need the manuscript in top shape
- Self-publishers who want their book to read as cleanly as a traditionally published one
- Nonfiction authors who need facts, terms and references checked for consistency
- Non-native English writers who want natural, fluent prose
How editing works
Free sample edit
Send us your manuscript and we edit a short sample, so you can see the editor's approach before committing.
Edit plan and quote
We recommend the right level of editing, confirm the word count and set a delivery date.
The edit
Your editor works through the manuscript and is available for questions along the way.
Review and follow-up
You review the changes, then send any questions back. A follow-up call is included with developmental edits.
What you receive
- Edited manuscript in Word with tracked changes
- Clean copy with all changes accepted
- Editorial letter (developmental editing)
- Custom style sheet listing names, spellings and choices
- Margin comments explaining key changes
- Follow-up call or email round for your questions
Book editing rates
Editing is priced by word count and by the depth of the edit. These starting prices assume a manuscript of around 50,000 words.
Proofreading
From $650
A last check for books that have already been edited.
- Typos, punctuation and small errors
- Formatting consistency check
- One full pass
- Most popular
Copyediting
From $1,200
Clean, correct and consistent prose.
- Grammar, spelling and usage
- Consistency and fact flags
- Custom style sheet
Developmental + Line
From $2,500
Deep work for a draft that needs structural help.
- Editorial letter and margin notes
- Sentence-level line edit
- Follow-up call with your editor
Prices in USD for a manuscript of about 50,000 words.
Editing questions, answered
If you are unsure the story or argument works, start with developmental editing. If the structure is solid but the prose feels rough, line editing fits. Copyediting and proofreading come last. Our free sample edit helps us recommend the right level.
Get a free sample edit
Send a few pages and an editor will mark them up, so you can see their approach before you commit. Every manuscript is kept confidential.
Prefer to talk? +44 7366 843137