—BOOK EDITING SERVICES
Book Editing Services Across All Four EFA Editing Levels
Professional book editing services cover developmental, line, copy, and proofreading work, in that sequence. AuthorWings delivers any level individually or all four together, with a free sample edit before you commit, a single editor through the full project, and a style sheet at delivery on Standard and Comprehensive.
—WHAT YOU GET
What hiring AuthorWings book editing services actually buys you (and what cheap quotes hide)
The invoice says “editing.” The actual deliverable is five jobs done in order over 2 to 6 weeks: a free sample edit, tier diagnosis, a genre-matched editor, the edit itself with tracked changes and comments, and a style sheet that keeps future books consistent.
That last item is where cheap editing services get caught. The $0.008 per word freelance quote covers tracked changes only: no style sheet, no genre matching, no tier diagnosis, no revision rounds, no editorial letter. The manuscript comes back edited but unfinished, so making it publishable means hiring a second or third editor to cover the gaps, turning that $560 quote into $1,200 to $2,000 total across editors who never coordinate.
AuthorWings prices the full deliverable on day one: a free sample edit at every tier, one NDA-signed editor carrying it through all required levels, and revision rounds plus a style sheet in the contract on Standard and Comprehensive (Polish is a lighter single pass by design). One editor, one quote, one final file ready for cover and formatting, with no surprise invoices.
—INVESTMENT
Book editing services pricing across 3 tiers (and the per-word rate for individual services)
Tier price covers a complete editing pass at the level your manuscript needs. Three tiers map to three diagnostic answers: typos and inconsistencies (Polish), uneven prose plus grammar (Standard), or you genuinely cannot tell what is wrong (Comprehensive). All three include tracked changes, style sheets where applicable, and a final manuscript file you can publish from. Same editor pool across all tiers.
Prices below update as you drag.
| Feature |
Polish $299 per 20,000 words · $0.015 per word Choose Polish |
Most Popular
Standard $549 per 20,000 words · $0.027 per word Choose Standard |
Comprehensive $1,995 per 20,000 words · $0.10 per word Choose Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic fit | |||
| Best for | Near-finished or already copy edited manuscripts needing a final pre-publication pass | First drafts where structure is sound but prose and grammar need professional work | Manuscripts needing all four EFA levels, or where beta readers flagged structural concerns |
| Timeline | 5 to 10 business days | 10 to 15 business days | 21 to 30 business days |
| Payment options | Single payment | Single payment | Single / 50-50 |
| Editing levels included | |||
| Developmental editing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Line editing | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy editing | Basic grammar only | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deliverables | |||
| Editing rounds | 1 round | 2 rounds | 3 rounds |
| Tracked changes in Word | ✓ | ✓ + comment threads explaining rewrites | ✓ + comment threads explaining rewrites |
| Style sheet | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Editorial summary letter | ✗ | ✗ | 8 to 20 pages |
| Editor assignment | Single point of contact | Single point of contact | Dedicated lead editor across all four levels |
In every tier
- Final proofread
- Formatting consistency check
- Tracked changes in Word
- The same editor pool, whichever depth you choose
Per-Word Individual Editing Services
Four levels, ordered from deepest to lightest. Pick one when you need a single editing pass.
Deepest Editing ↓
Developmental Editing
Story structure, plot logic, pacing, character arcs
$600
$0.060/word beyond
15 to 25 days per 10K
Line Editing
Sentence flow, voice, rhythm, paragraph craft
$350
$0.035/word beyond
7 to 12 days per 10K
Copy Editing
Grammar, syntax, consistency, style guide adherence
$230
$0.023/word beyond
5 to 10 days per 10K
Proofreading
Final typo and formatting pass before publication
$140
$0.014/word beyond
3 to 7 days per 10K
Lightest Editing ↑
—BUNDLE OPTIONS
Author-Polished Bundles that pair editing with cover, formatting, and launch readiness
Three bundles. Editing leads. Save up to $3,885.
A polished manuscript is roughly half of what it takes to launch a book. The other half is cover design, interior formatting, distribution setup, and a marketing runway built before launch day, not scrambled together the week of. Most authors discover this after editing is done, when the budget is gone and the timeline is already pressed.
Author-Polished Bundles solve that by pricing the full path on day one. Editing is always the largest single component inside each bundle.
| Feature |
Author-Polished Starter $2,895 $3,591 individual Save $696 · 19.4% off Choose Starter |
Most Popular
Author-Polished Growth $5,795 $7,787 individual Save $1,992 · 25.6% off Choose Growth |
Author-Polished Authority $9,995 $13,880 individual Save $3,885 · 28% off Choose Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundle scope | |||
| Best for | Completed first drafts wanting editing plus everything to launch | Mid-budget authors wanting comprehensive editing plus a multi-platform launch | Premium authors wanting all editing levels plus a premium launch |
| Manuscript size, editing included | Up to 30,000 words | Up to 30,000 wordsBeyond: $0.10 per word, editing only | Up to 50,000 wordsBeyond: $0.10 per word, editing only |
| Total timeline | 6 to 9 weeks | 8 to 11 weeks | 12 to 16 weeks |
| Payment options | Single / 50-50 | Single / 50-50 / Milestone / 3 mo ($1,932/mo) | Single / 50-50 / Milestone / 3 mo ($3,332/mo) |
| Editing, the anchor service | |||
| Editing tier | Editing Standard ($549) | Editing Comprehensive ($2,995) | Editing Comprehensive ($4,988) |
| Editing levels | Line + copy editing, 2 rounds | Developmental + line + copy + proof, 3 rounds | All four levels in sequence, 3 rounds |
| Cover design | |||
| Cover tier | Cover Design Growth ($399) | Cover Design Growth ($399) | Cover Design Authority ($999) |
| Cover formats | Ebook + paperback | Ebook + paperback + hardcover | Custom illustrated, three formats |
| Interior formatting | |||
| Format coverage | Ebook + print | Ebook + print | Ebook + print, up to 50,000 words, no overage |
| Formatting overage waived | Included to 30,000 words | Included to 30,000 words | Up to $240 near 50,000 words |
| Publishing and distribution | |||
| Publishing tier | Publishing Growth ($549) | Publishing Authority ($1,299) | Publishing Authority ($1,299) |
| Audiobook setup, ACX or Findaway | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Library distribution and pre-order | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Author copies shipped | 5 paperback | 10 paperback + 2 hardcover | 25 paperback + 5 hardcover |
| Marketing runway | |||
| Marketing tier | Marketing Starter ($1,495) | Marketing Growth ($2,495) | Marketing Authority ($5,995) |
| Amazon Ads campaign | ✗ | 30-day | 60-day multi-platform |
| Sales page, paid review, PR wire | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Book trailer | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
In every bundle
- Standard bundle formatting, ebook and print
- Multi-platform distribution
- Marketing foundation: website, Amazon listing, email
- Every account set up in your name
- 100% of rights and royalties retained
—ADD-ONS
Three book editing add-ons that solve specific manuscript problems
Most editing engagements need only the tier itself. Some authors hit specific situations where a single add-on saves more time and money than a heavier tier upgrade. Three add-ons sit on top of the Polish, Standard, or Comprehensive tiers.
01
Sample Edit
Up to 1,000 words edited at any tier so you can preview the editor’s actual work before committing to a full project. The sample includes a brief diagnostic note explaining which tier we recommend and why. No charge, no contract, no obligation. Worth using on every editing engagement, regardless of tier. Skip it only if a previous editor has already done the diagnostic work and you know exactly what tier you need.
02
Beta Reader Coordination
We recruit 5 to 8 beta readers in your genre and manage feedback collection over a 4-week window. Beta readers receive a structured feedback questionnaire (pacing, character motivation, plot clarity, ending satisfaction), and we synthesize the responses into a single readable summary you can use to inform your final revisions before editing. Worth buying when you are between drafts and want reader feedback before committing to a developmental editor. Skip if you already have a beta reader network or are heading straight into Comprehensive editing.
03
Editorial Letter Only
Manuscript review with a detailed editorial letter (5 to 10 pages of structural and chapter-level notes) but no tracked changes inside the manuscript. Up to 30,000 words. Worth buying when you want a structural diagnosis without a full developmental edit, typically because you intend to revise based on the notes and then come back for Standard or Polish editing. Skip if you want hands-on rewriting (Comprehensive tier handles that) or if your manuscript is already structurally sound.
—HOW IT WORKS
How professional book editing actually works across 6 documented steps
Most editing horror stories trace to one root cause: the author and the editor never agreed on what level of editing the manuscript needed before work began. Six documented steps prevent that, with named deliverables and a free sample edit before you ever sign a contract.
I
Days 1 to 3
Free Sample Edit
You send a 1,000-word sample from any chapter. We return it edited at the level we recommend (Polish, Standard, or Comprehensive) plus a brief diagnostic note explaining why that level fits your manuscript. No charge, no obligation, no contract. The sample tells you two things at once: what your manuscript actually needs, and what our editing looks like in your prose.
II
Days 3 to 5
Tier Selection and Quote
Based on the sample, you choose a tier. We send a single-document quote with tier price, word-count math, timeline, payment plan, and the editor's name and credentials. If the recommended tier feels wrong, you can choose a lighter or heavier tier and the quote adjusts. Quote is valid for 30 days.
III
Week 1
Contract, NDA, and Editor Match
Once you sign, you are matched with an editor from the specialty pool that fits your genre. The editor signs a project NDA before receiving the manuscript. You see the editor's profile, edited samples, and finished project count before assignment is confirmed. If the chemistry feels off after the first round, we reassign at no cost.
IV
Days 5 to 25 depending on tier
Round 1 Edit
The first complete editing pass. Comprehensive tier starts with developmental, then line, then copy, then proofread, in sequence. Standard tier covers line + copy together. Polish tier is a single clean-up pass. Tracked changes returned in Word. For Comprehensive, you also receive an editorial summary letter (8 to 20 pages) explaining structural recommendations and chapter-level notes.
V
inside the tier timeline
Author Review and Subsequent Rounds
You read the edited manuscript, accept or reject changes, respond to comment threads, and flag anything that still needs work. The editor then runs the next round on your revisions, repeating through the rounds your tier includes (Comprehensive finishes with a final proofread on the post-revision file).
VI
end of the tier's quoted timeline
Final Delivery and Style Sheet
Final manuscript delivered as a clean Word file plus a tracked-changes version. Standard and Comprehensive include a style sheet documenting all editorial decisions (treatment of numbers, capitalization choices, hyphenation rules, character spelling, factual continuity). The style sheet is yours to use for future books in the series, future editions, or future editors. Editing complete. Manuscript ready for cover, formatting, and publication.
—WHO WE WORK WITH
Six author scenarios that decide which book editor you need
The wrong editing level is more expensive than the right one. Comprehensive on a manuscript that only needed copy + proof wastes $3,000. Polish on a manuscript with structural problems wastes the editing entirely. These six scenarios cover roughly 90% of the authors who land on this page, mapped to the tier that actually fits.
01
First-Time Novelist
You finished your first novel, and beta readers gave mixed feedback: pacing dragged in the middle, character motivation felt unclear in chapter eight. By the eleventh re-read, every sentence looks both perfect and broken depending on the hour. You cannot tell if the problems are real or if you are simply too close to the manuscript to judge.
Tier: Comprehensive. First books almost always need developmental work, and the editorial letter alone is worth the tier price. Skip to Polish only if a previous editor has already handled the developmental pass.
02
Second or Third Book Author
You have published before, so you know your structure works because the last book sold and reviewed well. The new manuscript follows your established style, and you know it needs grammar, syntax, and consistency work, but the architecture underneath is solid and proven.
Tier: Standard. Line and copy editing is the right level when the structural muscle memory is already in place.
03
Already Edited Manuscript
You worked with a developmental editor 18 months ago and revised on their notes. You hired a copy editor six months ago and revised again. Now you need one final clean pass before the manuscript goes to a designer for layout.
Tier: Polish. This is exactly what Polish was built for: a near-publication manuscript that needs a fresh second set of eyes catching whatever survived the earlier rounds.
04
Memoir Author
Memoirs need editors comfortable with sensitive personal material, factual accuracy across decades of recall, and the structural call of whether the timeline should run chronological or thematic, which the author rarely sees clearly.
Tier: Comprehensive recommended. Memoir manuscripts almost always benefit from developmental editing because the author knows the material too intimately. Standard works only if a developmental editor has already passed through.
05
Business or Authority Book
Your manuscript teaches a framework, methodology, or area of expertise. The challenge is the opposite of fiction: you understand the material so completely that you cannot see what readers still need explained, defined, or proven to them.
Tier: Comprehensive recommended. Developmental editing on business books usually finds three to five chapters where the reader loses the thread, and fixes those before publication.
06
Tight Deadline Project
You have a launch date locked eight weeks out, the manuscript is finished, and you need editing to fit inside that window without cutting corners on quality.
Tier: Standard when structure is already sound, Comprehensive if developmental work is also needed. Polish is too light for an unedited manuscript. Standard runs line, copy, and proofread in 10 to 15 business days, leaving roughly five weeks for design, formatting, and launch prep. Comprehensive delivers all four levels in 21 to 30 business days, leaving two to four weeks for the same downstream work.
—Compare
AuthorWings vs other book editing companies on price, scope, and editor experience
Most editing companies hide scope behind price-per-word quotes. The chart below shows what each tier actually delivers at AuthorWings versus what you typically get elsewhere at the same price point.
AuthorWings vs Other Book Editing Companies
Five places to hire a book editor. Price ranges plotted against editing scope. Hover any row for the full breakdown.
Freelance Platforms
Marketplace listings, lowest price tier
Price Per Word
Includes
Score: 0 / 6
NDA Signed
Not included
Genre Match
Not included
Revision Rounds
Not included
Style Sheet
Not included
Project Manager
Not included
Reassignment
Not included
Solo Freelance Editors
Independent editors quoted directly
Price Per Word
Includes
Score: 2 / 6
NDA Signed
Informal only
Genre Match
Variable
Revision Rounds
Variable
Style Sheet
Variable
Project Manager
Not included
Reassignment
Not included
Online Editing Marketplaces
Vetted editors, marketplace structure
Price Per Word
Includes
Score: 4 / 6
NDA Signed
Included
Genre Match
Included
Revision Rounds
Included
Style Sheet
Included
Project Manager
Not included
Reassignment
Not included
Traditional Editorial Agencies
Premium-priced full-service agencies
Price Per Word
Includes
Score: 5.5 / 6
NDA Signed
Included
Genre Match
Included
Revision Rounds
Included
Style Sheet
Included
Project Manager
Included
Reassignment
Variable
AuthorWings
Three tiers. EFA-aligned rates. Free sample edit.
Price Per Word
Includes
Score: 6 / 6
NDA Signed
Included
Genre Match
Included
Revision Rounds
Included
Style Sheet
Included
Project Manager
Included
Reassignment
Included
The Six Scope Dimensions, In Order Left to Right
—Frequently Asked Questions
Book editing services questions authors ask before sending the manuscript
The questions below come up on nearly every discovery call. If yours is not here, the contact options at the bottom of the page reach a real human.
What's the difference between line editing and copy editing?
Line editing works on how your prose reads; copy editing works on whether it is correct. A line editor rewrites sentences for rhythm, clarity, voice, and word choice, so a clunky passage reads smoothly in your own voice. A copy editor comes after and fixes grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency, and style-guide adherence, and catches continuity slips like a character whose eye color changes between chapters. Most manuscripts need both, in that order: line first, then copy. Our Standard tier includes both; Comprehensive adds developmental editing before them and a proofread after.
How do I know which tier I actually need without paying for a sample edit first?
You do not need to. The sample edit is free. Send 1,000 words from any chapter, we return it edited at the level we recommend, plus a brief note on why that tier fits. If you disagree with the recommendation, you can request a sample at a different tier, also free. The point of the sample is for you to see your own prose under each level of edit before committing.
How much does professional book editing cost?
At AuthorWings, editing starts at $299 per 20,000 words for the Polish tier, $549 for Standard (line plus copy editing), and $1,995 for Comprehensive (all four levels in sequence). Individual levels are also available per word: proofreading from $0.014, copy editing from $0.023, line editing from $0.035, and developmental editing from $0.060. A 70,000-word novel runs about $1,047 at Polish, $1,922 at Standard, or $6,983 at Comprehensive. Every rate sits inside the Editorial Freelancers Association published median ranges, and the free sample edit tells you which tier your manuscript actually needs before you pay.
What if I send the manuscript and the editor recommends a heavier tier than I purchased?
You are never charged more without approving it first. This happens occasionally on projects where the sample chapter was the strongest part of the manuscript. The editor flags the mismatch before starting Round 1, with a written note explaining what the manuscript actually needs. You then choose: keep the original tier (the editor does what was contracted, knowing the manuscript needs more) or upgrade to the heavier tier with the price difference quoted transparently. No surprise upgrades mid-project.
Can I send the manuscript in chunks as I finish it?
Generally no. Editing requires the whole manuscript to evaluate pacing, structure, and through-line. The exception is Polish tier, where the manuscript should already be near-final, in which case chunked delivery is fine. For Standard and Comprehensive, send the complete manuscript. If you want craft guidance while writing, → book coaching is the better fit.
What file format should I send my manuscript in for editing?
Microsoft Word (.docx) is the default. Tracked changes work natively in Word, which is the format we return the edit in. Google Docs is acceptable, we will convert to Word for the edit and return both versions. Scrivener, Pages, plain text, or PDF need to be converted to Word before editing begins, ideally by you so the formatting matches your intended structure.
What if I disagree with the editor's changes?
You accept or reject every tracked change. The editor cannot override your decisions. If you reject a change the editor strongly recommends, the comment thread explains the editorial reasoning, and you can decide based on that. The author has final authority on every line. Round 2 (and Round 3 in Comprehensive) is where rejected changes get re-discussed if needed.
Do you offer editing in genres outside fiction and nonfiction?
Yes. We have editor specialists for memoir, business and authority books, academic and technical writing, romance, thriller, fantasy, sci-fi, literary fiction, children's middle grade and YA, poetry collections, and screenplays. The intake form asks for your genre, and we match accordingly. If your manuscript is in a niche outside the standard pool, we tell you on the consultation call rather than guessing.
Can the editor work to a specific style guide?
Yes. Default is Chicago Manual of Style for fiction and nonfiction in the US, AP Stylebook for journalism-adjacent nonfiction, Modern Humanities Research Association for academic, and house style for trade publishers if you have one. If you have a custom style sheet from a previous editor or publisher, send it with the manuscript and we will follow it. The editor will document any deviations.
Can you edit in British (UK) English, not just US English?
Yes. We work with authors across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, and the editor follows the English variant and style guide you specify, whether that is US spelling with Chicago, UK spelling with New Hart's Rules or your house style, or Canadian or Australian conventions. Tell us your preferred variant on the intake form, or send an existing style sheet, and the editor documents every choice so spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary stay consistent throughout. If you are unsure which convention fits your market, we will flag it during the sample edit.
What happens if my editor becomes unavailable mid-project?
The reassignment clause activates. The new editor inherits the existing tracked-changes file, comment threads, style sheet (if started), and editorial letter (Comprehensive tier). You do not start over. The existing edit work continues from where it left off, with the new editor maintaining consistency with the tone and decisions already made. No additional cost.
Will the edited manuscript look like my voice or like the editor's voice?
Like yours. A good editor strengthens your existing voice rather than replacing it. Line edits that read like the editor wrote them are a sign the editor is overstepping, and that is grounds for round-2 pushback or editor reassignment. The sample edit is your first checkpoint: if the sample feels like your prose, only sharper, the editor is doing the job correctly. If it feels like a different writer, request a sample from a different editor.
Can the same editor edit my next book?
Yes. The style sheet from book one transfers automatically. The voice work is already calibrated. Editor-author continuity is the single fastest way to bring future projects to publication efficiently. We track editor-author pairings and prioritize continuity on repeat engagements. Pricing on book two follows the same tier structure, with no loyalty penalty for coming back.
Do your editors use AI on my manuscript?
No. Every editing pass is done by a human editor. Your manuscript is not uploaded to any AI training pipeline, not pasted into ChatGPT for "first-pass" work, and not shared with any third-party tool that retains text. The only tools an editor may use during the copy edit pass are deterministic consistency checkers (PerfectIt for style sheet enforcement, the Word grammar checker), and any decisions those tools surface are reviewed and accepted or rejected by the editor before they land in your file. The full position is documented in our AI Policy.
Can you deliver editing faster than the standard timeline?
Sometimes, yes. Rush availability depends on current editor capacity in your genre. Polish compresses most easily because it is a single light pass. Standard compresses moderately. Comprehensive resists compression because the four levels run in sequence and revision quality drops if forced. Rush engagements carry a priority surcharge that we quote on the consultation call once we see the manuscript word count and your target delivery date. If we cannot meet your timeline at quality, we will tell you on the call rather than accept and miss.
Do you offer sensitivity reads?
Sensitivity reads are not bundled into the standard editing tiers because they are a different job done by specialists with lived experience of the identity, culture, or subject being represented. When a manuscript would benefit from one (memoir touching on race, faith, disability, or trauma; fiction with characters outside the author's lived experience; non-fiction making claims about a specific community), we will flag it during the sample edit and connect you with a sensitivity reader before or during developmental editing. The sensitivity read is quoted separately and runs in parallel with editing where possible.
Does editing guarantee my book will be completely error-free?
No honest editor can promise a 100% error-free manuscript, and anyone who does is overselling. What layered editing does is catch the overwhelming majority of errors before publication. Copy editing fixes grammar, punctuation, and consistency; the final proofread is the last line of defense against typos introduced during revision. Across Standard and Comprehensive, your manuscript gets multiple passes plus revision rounds, which is how professional editing gets a book to publication-clean. A small number of stray errors can survive any human process, which is exactly why the proofread runs last, on the post-revision file.
What happens if I am not satisfied with the edit?
Three mechanisms protect you. First, the free sample edit lets you see the editor's actual work in your prose before you sign anything; if the sample is not the right fit, you walk away at zero cost. Second, every tier includes revision rounds (1 for Polish, 2 for Standard, 3 for Comprehensive) where you can flag concerns from each round and the editor responds in the next. Third, editor reassignment is available at no cost if the chemistry feels wrong after round 1; the replacement editor inherits the existing tracked-changes file, comment threads, and any style sheet already started. If a more fundamental remedy is needed, the full refund position is in our Refund Policy.
Next Steps
❦See exactly what your editing will cost
Build your quote in 60 seconds. Pick your services, see real pricing with no hidden fees, no forms, no waiting for a sales email. When you are ready, book a call with an editor who will tell you honestly which of three things is true: this is the right fit, a different service serves you better, or now is not the time.
Mutual NDA available before the call on request. 100% rights retention guaranteed. No contracts until you decide.
AuthorWings· Transparent Pricing · 100% Your Rights
Last updated: July 2026