Book Editing Services From Experienced Editors Who Care About Your Manuscript
Our book editing services cover every stage of polishing a manuscript: developmental editing, line editing, copyediting and proofreading. You can book one level or all four, and you can start with a free sample edit so you see the quality before you commit.
- 250+
- Books published
- 170+
- Authors served
- 50+
- Bestsellers achieved
- 100%
- Author ownership
Every project is quoted in writing before work starts, with revision rounds at each key stage. Maybe you have a finished first draft and no idea what is wrong with it. Maybe you only need a last check before print. Either way, one editor reads your pages with care and tells you plainly what to fix. If you still need a draft, our ghostwriting services can help with that too. Ready to begin? Submit your manuscript or get a free consultation.
What Are Book Editing Services?
Book editing services are professional reviews of your manuscript that improve its structure, language and accuracy before readers see it. A book editor reads the way your audience will, then marks what slows them down, confuses them or pulls them out of the story.
Self-edited books usually fail for a simple reason: you know what you meant, so your eyes fill in what is missing. Typos hide, scenes drag, and arguments skip steps. A fresh professional editor sees the page as it actually is.
Editing is also not the same as ghost-writing or rewriting. Your editor works with the words you already have, and the decisions stay yours. The goal is a book that sounds like you on a very good day, with nothing standing between you and the reader.
Most authors benefit from more than one pass, because each level catches problems the others cannot.
There are four levels, and each one does a different job:
- Developmental editing looks at the big picture: structure, plot, pacing and argument.
- Line editing improves voice, rhythm and sentence flow.
- Copyediting fixes grammar, consistency and style.
- Proofreading catches the last errors on typeset pages.
Developmental Editing Services
Developmental editing, sometimes called a structural or substantive edit, examines whether your book works as a whole. For fiction, that means plot holes, character arc, point of view and pacing. For nonfiction and memoir, it means narrative structure, the order of your ideas and whether each chapter earns its place.
You receive an editorial letter, usually several pages long, that explains what is working and what is not. It is written in plain language, with specific examples from your chapters and a clear list of priorities. Many editors also add margin comments so you can see each issue where it happens.
On a memoir, for example, your editor might notice that the strongest chapter sits in the middle and should open the book. On a business title, they might see that three chapters make the same point and suggest merging them. These are the changes that decide whether a book holds together, and they are much harder to spot from the inside.
If you plan to query agents, a developmental edit also helps your book proposal and query letter, since you will understand your own book far better afterward.
This is a manuscript critique, not a rewrite. Your editor shows you the problems and suggests ways to solve them, and you stay in charge of the pen. The best time to book it is after your first full draft, when big changes are still easy and cheap. Developmental editing starts from $0.030 per word.
Line Editing Services
Line editing works sentence by sentence on voice and tone, rhythm, clarity and readability. Your editor trims clutter, strengthens weak verbs, fixes awkward transitions and helps you show instead of tell, all while keeping your voice intact.
Here is a small example of what that looks like.
Before: "She was feeling very nervous about the meeting that was going to happen later on in the afternoon."
After: "Her stomach tightened every time she thought about the afternoon meeting."
The meaning is the same, but the second version is shorter, more physical and easier to read. A good line edit does this hundreds of times without making your book sound like someone else wrote it. Expect to see a lot of small, confident changes rather than a few dramatic ones.
Your editor also watches for repeated words, filler phrases and sentences that all start the same way, which quietly tire a reader out. Dialogue gets the same attention, so characters sound like different people. Line editing fits best after the developmental work is done, because there is no point polishing a chapter you may cut.
Copyediting Services
Copyediting is the technical clean-up. Your copyeditor corrects grammar, punctuation, spelling and usage, and checks that everything stays consistent: character names, timelines, hyphenation, capitalization and number style.
Most trade books follow the Chicago Manual of Style, while journalism and some business titles use AP style. Your editor builds a style sheet that records every decision, so the choices stay consistent from page one to the end. Hyphenation, serial commas, numerals and capitalization all get one answer and stay that way. Spelling questions get settled against a reference such as the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Copyeditors also flag facts that need checking, such as dates, quotations, place names and statistics. They do not research everything for you, but they will point to anything that looks shaky, so you can verify it before it reaches print. Because consistency is the whole point, one person usually handles the entire manuscript. Copyediting starts from $0.045 per word when combined with line editing and proofreading as a complete edit.
Proofreading Services
Proofreading is the final pass, done on typeset pages after your book has been laid out. The proofreader hunts for the small things that slip through: leftover typos, doubled words, widows and orphans, bad line breaks, inconsistent running heads and page number errors.
Proofreaders also read for small layout problems, such as a heading stranded at the bottom of a page. It is not an edit. A proofreader does not rework sentences or question your structure, because by this stage the text should be settled. Think of it as a last look in the mirror before you walk out the door.
Skipping this step is one of the most common regrets authors report, since errors feel much bigger once a book is in print. The proofreader also compares your pages against the final copyedited text, so nothing gets lost in layout. Proofreading starts from $0.012 per word. When it is done, your next step is typesetting, so see our book formatting services for print-ready interiors.
Which Type of Editing Does Your Book Need?
The right level depends on where your manuscript is today. This table gives you a quick comparison.
| Edit type | Best stage | Main focus | Typical time | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developmental | After the first draft | Structure, plot, pacing, argument | Longest | Highest per word |
| Line edit | After revisions | Voice, rhythm, clarity | Moderate | Moderate |
| Copyedit | Before layout | Grammar, consistency, style | Moderate | Moderate |
| Proofread | After typesetting | Final typos and layout errors | Shortest | Lowest per word |
A simple rule of thumb: if you are unsure the story or argument works, start with developmental editing. If it works but reads clumsily, choose a line edit. If it reads well but needs cleaning, go with copyediting. If it is already laid out, proofread.
Many first-time authors assume they only need a proofread, then discover the manuscript needs more. A short sample edit settles the question quickly. It costs you nothing, and you will see exactly what an editor would change.
Budget matters too. If you cannot afford every level, put your money into the earliest stage that still applies, because fixing structure late is the most expensive mistake in publishing.
Not sure which applies? That is what the free sample edit is for.
Editors for Every Genre
A thriller and a business book need different editorial instincts. That is why we match you with an editor who works in your category rather than assigning whoever is free. Genre conventions are real, and an editor who knows them can tell the difference between a rule worth following and one worth breaking.
- Fiction editing: novels, series, romance, thrillers, fantasy and more.
- Memoir editing: personal stories where voice and honesty matter most.
- Nonfiction and business editing: clear arguments, tidy frameworks and credible claims.
- Children's books: language pitched at the right age, with attention to rhythm and read-aloud flow.
- Academic and technical writing: citation consistency, terminology and clarity.
Whatever you write, we match tone and conventions to your readers. We also work with self-published authors who want the same polish a traditional house would give. To see everything we cover, explore all genres.
Editing Turnaround Times and Pricing
We charge by the word, so the cost is easy to estimate. Starting prices are listed below, and they apply to the whole manuscript, with no extra charge for chapters that happen to be cleaner than others:
- Proofreading: from $0.012 per word
- Developmental editing: from $0.030 per word
- Complete edit (line edit, copyedit and proofread together): from $0.045 per word
As an example, a 60,000-word manuscript would start around $720 for a proofread, $1,800 for developmental editing and $2,700 for a complete edit. The final fixed quote depends on scope, including word count, genre, how clean the draft is and how many passes you want. For an independent benchmark, the Editorial Freelancers Association publishes an editorial rate chart you can compare against.
You can also mix levels. Some authors book a developmental edit first, revise on their own, and return for a complete edit later. Because every stage has its own quote, you only pay for the work you choose, and you can pause between stages to revise at your own pace.
Why do prices vary? A clean, well-revised draft takes less time than one with heavy problems on every page. Technical subjects, many citations or a dense academic voice also add effort. Rather than guess, we read a sample and quote the real work.
Turnaround depends on length and edit level, and on how quickly you return your review of each round, since the editor cannot move on until you do. As a guide, a manuscript of up to 5,000 words takes 3 to 5 business days for copyediting and proofreading and 5 to 7 business days for developmental editing. At 20,000 to 40,000 words, expect 1 to 2 weeks for copyediting and 2 to 3 weeks for developmental editing. A 60,000 to 90,000 word book takes 2 to 3 weeks for copyediting or line editing and 3 to 5 weeks for developmental editing. If you are not sure which level you need, we send a recommendation and a sample edit within 3 to 5 business days of your request. Your schedule is set out in writing before work begins, and we tell you early if anything might change it. Rush timelines are available for an additional fee, quoted up front. For a full breakdown, see our editing and publishing pricing.
Why Authors Trust Our Editors
Small Press Distribution has published more than 250 books and served more than 170 authors, and editing sits at the center of that work. Our editors are experienced professionals who treat every manuscript as confidential and every author as a partner.
You always keep 100% ownership of your book, including copyright, credit and royalties. We never take a cut. Editing is also only one part of what we offer. Writing, design, publishing and marketing happen under one roof, so your editor can talk with the rest of the team when it helps your book. Our quotes are fixed in writing, and a project manager answers your questions. Read what authors say in our author success stories.
Free consultation
Tell us about your book. We'll tell you what it needs.
Every enquiry is read by a publishing consultant, not a sales script. You'll get an honest view of your project, a recommended route and a fixed written quote.
- 01Reply within one business day
- 02Fixed quote with milestone payments
- 03100% ownership, credit and royalties
- 04Confidential from the first message
Get your free quote
Our Book Editing Process
We keep the process simple, so you always know what happens next. Nothing is hidden, and you can ask questions at any step.
Editing packages
Priced per word by level of edit. A free sample edit of the first 1,000 words is available before you commit. See pricing
- ✓Typos and layout errors
- ✓Separate proofreader
- ✓Marked-up PDF
- ✓One round
- ✓Line edit for flow
- ✓Copyedit and style sheet
- ✓Proofread after layout
- ✓Editor call
- ✓Full manuscript read
- ✓Editorial letter
- ✓Margin notes
- ✓One-hour call
What people say
All testimonials →“It existed to help writers and readers find each other.”
“SPD's service makes it possible for independents, as well as chains, to have a vital contemporary poetry section.”
“Critical to making independent books accessible to readers.”
“A critical partner for hundreds of independent literary publishers.”
“It looked like they were bringing SPD into the 21st century.”
“SPD will be deeply missed by publishers and authors throughout the literary community.”
What does a book editor do?
A book editor reviews your manuscript and improves it at one or more levels. That can mean fixing structure and pacing, polishing sentences, correcting grammar and consistency, or catching final typos. Good editors explain their changes, so you learn as you go, and they protect your voice instead of replacing it with their own.
How much do book editing services cost?
Pricing is per word. Proofreading starts from $0.012, developmental editing from $0.030, and a complete edit from $0.045. Your final fixed quote depends on scope, including length, genre and the condition of your draft. We put it in writing before work starts, split into milestones, with no hidden fees.
What is the difference between copyediting and proofreading?
Copyediting happens before layout and corrects grammar, usage and consistency across the whole text. Proofreading happens after layout and checks the typeset pages for leftover typos and formatting slips. A copyeditor changes the manuscript, while a proofreader only catches mistakes. Most books benefit from both, in that order. They are separate skills, and skipping either one usually shows in the finished book.
Do I need developmental editing or line editing?
Choose developmental editing if you doubt your structure, plot or argument, usually after a first draft. Choose line editing if the structure holds but the prose feels clumsy. If you are unsure, send us a sample. We will tell you honestly which level will help most and which you can skip.
How long does it take to edit a book?
It depends on word count and the level of editing. A 60,000 to 90,000 word book typically takes 2 to 3 weeks for copyediting or line editing and 3 to 5 weeks for developmental editing. Proofreading is the fastest, and developmental editing takes the longest because of the detailed editorial letter. We agree on a schedule before work starts, so you know when to expect each stage. Longer or messier manuscripts need more time, and we flag that early. Rush timelines are available for an additional fee, quoted up front.
Do you edit self-published books?
Yes. Many of our clients are self-published authors who want a professional finish. We edit books at any stage, whether you plan to publish through us or on your own. You keep full ownership of your work either way, and the edit does not obligate you to anything else. We can also advise on the next steps if you plan to publish independently.
Will my editor change my writing style?
No. A good editor sharpens your style without replacing it. Every change appears as a tracked edit or comment, so you can accept, reject or discuss each one. If something does not sound like you, say so, and we will adjust. Your name is on the cover, and your voice should be on every page.
Ready for a Professional Edit?
Strong book editing services turn a good manuscript into one readers finish and recommend. Send us the first 1,000 words and we will edit them for free if you are a first-time client, so you can see the difference before you decide. There is no pressure and no obligation, and our team replies within one business day. Then, when your manuscript is ready for the world, our book publishing services can carry it through to launch.
Send your manuscript for a sample edit or get a free consultation today.
Call or email and our experts will walk you through the process, requirements and packages.