—Book editing
Hire a book editor across all four EFA editing levels
A book editor works at one of four Editorial Freelancers Association levels: developmental, line, copy, and proofreading, in that order. AuthorWings delivers any level individually or all four together, from $0.015 per word, with a free sample edit before you commit and a style sheet at delivery on Standard and Comprehensive.
—WHAT YOU GET
What hiring AuthorWings professional book editing services actually buys you (and what cheap quotes hide)
An invoice that reads “editing” hides five separate deliverables, and they only arrive in order: a free sample edit, a tier diagnosis, a genre-matched editor assignment, the edit itself with tracked changes and comments, and a style sheet that keeps your next book consistent with this one. Timelines run per tier, from 5 to 10 business days on Polish to 21 to 30 on Comprehensive, and those windows hold to 60,000 words.
The gap between those five and a bare tracked-changes file is where cheap book editing services get caught. The $0.008 per word freelance quote, $560 on a 70,000-word manuscript, 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 and usually a third editor to cover the gaps. Two more passes at ordinary solo freelance rates take that $560 quote to $3,000 to $6,000 total, spread across editors who never coordinate, against $3,150 for the same 70,000 words at Standard with one editor, one final file, and a style sheet.
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). The result is a single final file, ready for cover design and formatting, with no follow-up invoice from a second editor.
The cheapest real option here is buying one level rather than a tier. A proofread on a 70,000-word manuscript is $980, and copy editing is $1,610, which covers what most near-final manuscripts actually need. Free editing does not exist at a professional standard, and the free tools that advertise it are grammar checkers rather than editors. What is free here is the sample edit and the tier diagnosis that comes with it, so the decision about where to spend is made on evidence rather than a guess.
—INVESTMENT
Book editing services pricing across 3 tiers (and the per-word rate for individual services)
Book editing rates work two ways here. Buy a single level at the individual per-word rates below, or buy a tier package when your manuscript needs several levels in sequence. Three tiers answer three diagnoses: typos and inconsistencies only (Polish), uneven prose plus grammar (Standard), or structural problems sitting under the prose (Comprehensive). Polish runs $0.015 per word, Standard $0.045, and Comprehensive $0.10. Set the slider to your word count to see how much a book editor costs for your manuscript. Every route includes tracked changes and a final manuscript file you can publish from.
Tier prices update as you drag. The per-word rates further down are fixed. Over 120,000 words? The per-word rate holds, so ask for a quote on the call.
| Feature |
Polish $750 for 50,000 words · $0.015 per word Choose Polish |
Most Popular
Standard $2,250 for 50,000 words · $0.045 per word Choose Standard |
Comprehensive $5,000 for 50,000 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, to 60,000 words | 5 to 10 business days | 10 to 15 business days | 21 to 30 business days |
| Editing levels included | |||
| Developmental editing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Line editing | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy editing | Basic grammar only | ✓ | ✓ |
| Proofreading | ✓ | ✓ | Final pass, post-revision |
| Deliverables | |||
| Editing rounds | 1 round | 2 rounds | 3 rounds |
| 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
- Formatting consistency check
- Tracked changes in Word
- The same editor pool, whichever depth you choose
- Timeline holds to 60,000 words. Past that, each tier adds a stated number of days per 20,000, quoted before you sign.
- Payment: one payment below $1,000. From $1,000 up, a 50-50 plan. From $5,000 up, milestone or 3-month plans.
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
$400
$0.040/word beyond
15 to 25 business days
Line Editing
Sentence flow, voice, rhythm, paragraph craft
$350
$0.035/word beyond
7 to 12 business days
Copy Editing
Grammar, syntax, consistency, style guide adherence
$230
$0.023/word beyond
5 to 10 business days
Proofreading
Final typo and formatting pass before publication
$140
$0.014/word beyond
3 to 7 business days
Lightest Editing ↑
—BUNDLE OPTIONS
Author-Polished Bundles that pair book editing services with cover, formatting, and launch readiness
Three bundles. Editing leads. Save up to $1,792.
A polished manuscript is roughly half of what it takes to launch a book, which is why most authors end up buying book editing and publishing services separately, months apart, at full price each time. The other half is cover design, interior formatting, and distribution setup, handled properly rather than scrambled together the week of launch. 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: book editing services, cover, interior formatting, and distribution quoted as one number. Editing is the first service in every bundle and sets the tier the rest of the path is built around. Marketing is priced separately, so you are not buying a campaign to get a good edit.
| Feature |
Author-Polished Starter $2,375 $2,897 individual Save $522 · 18% off Choose Starter |
Most Popular
Author-Polished Growth $4,235 $5,297 individual Save $1,062 · 20% off Choose Growth |
Author-Polished Authority $6,345 $8,137 individual Save $1,792 · 22% off Choose Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundle scope | |||
| Best for | Short books and novellas where structure is already sound | Full-length manuscripts needing all four editing levels | Long manuscripts wanting an illustrated cover and post-launch support |
| Manuscript size, editing included | Up to 30,000 wordsBeyond: $0.045 per word, editing only | Up to 30,000 wordsBeyond: $0.10 per word, editing only | Up to 50,000 wordsBeyond: $0.10 per word, editing only |
| Typical 70,000-word total | $4,175$2,375 plus 40,000 words at $0.045 | $8,235$4,235 plus 40,000 words at $0.10 | $8,345$6,345 plus 20,000 words at $0.10 |
| Total timeline | 5 to 7 weeks | 7 to 10 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
| Payment options | Single / 50-50 / Milestone / 3 mo | Single / 50-50 / Milestone / 3 mo | Single / 50-50 / Milestone / 3 mo |
| Editing, the anchor service | |||
| Editing tier | Editing Standard ($1,350) | Editing Comprehensive ($3,000) | Editing Comprehensive ($5,000) |
| Editing levels | Line, copy, and proofread, 2 rounds | Developmental, line, copy, and proofread, 3 rounds | Developmental, line, copy, and proofread, 3 rounds |
| Style sheet and editorial letter | Style sheet | Style sheet and editorial letter | Style sheet and editorial letter |
| Cover design | |||
| Cover tier | Cover Print-Ready ($399) | Cover Print-Ready ($399) | Cover Illustrated ($999) |
| Cover formats | Ebook, paperback, hardcover files | Ebook, paperback, hardcover files | Ebook, paperback, hardcover files |
| Design directions and revisions | Two directions, 3 rounds | Two directions, 3 rounds | Two directions, 3 rounds |
| Interior formatting | |||
| Formatting tier | Standard Complete ($599) | Standard Complete ($599) | Standard Complete ($599) |
| Formatting beyond the cap | $0.012 per word beyond 30,000 | $0.012 per word beyond 30,000 | Waived to 50,000 words, worth $240, then $0.012 per word |
| Format coverage | Ebook, paperback, and hardcover interiors | Ebook, paperback, and hardcover interiors | Ebook, paperback, and hardcover interiors |
| Three-page sample before full typeset | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Publishing and distribution | |||
| Publishing tier | Publishing Global ($549) | Publishing Premium ($1,299) | Publishing Premium ($1,299) |
| Ebook and paperback distribution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hardcover distribution | Add later, $199 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audiobook setup, ACX or Findaway | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Library distribution and pre-order | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Owned ISBNs across all formats | Free Amazon or Bowker | ✓ | ✓ |
| Author copies shipped | 5 paperback | 10 paperback | 25 paperback + 5 hardcover |
| Post-launch monitoring | ✗ | ✗ | 30 days |
In every bundle
- Free sample edit before you commit
- One editor carrying the manuscript through every level
- Standard Complete formatting: ebook, paperback, and hardcover
- Multi-platform distribution across seven retailers
- Amazon Author Central profile
- Every account set up in your name
- 100% of rights and royalties retained
- Source files delivered, yours to keep
—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. One is free and runs before you buy. Two 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 before 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 that runs before editing starts, so it sits outside your tier timeline. 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) and no tracked changes inside the manuscript. Up to 30,000 words, which is why the letter runs shorter than the 8 to 20 page letter inside a full developmental edit on a full-length manuscript. 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 services 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, so book editing services arrive with named deliverables and a free sample edit before you ever sign a contract. The tier timelines quoted on this page start the day the contract is signed, not the day you send the sample.
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 4 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, after signature
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
The largest block inside the tier timeline
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 editing and copy editing together, with the final proofread on the revised file. 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.
—HOW TO HIRE
How to hire a book editor without guessing which level you need
Most authors hire the same way. Search, compare per-word rates, pick the cheapest editor whose samples look competent, and find out three chapters in that the manuscript needed structural work nobody diagnosed. The quote was for copy editing. The problem was never grammar.
Four things worth establishing before money changes hands, whoever you hire.
Ask which level they are quoting, and why. Developmental, line, copy, and proofreading are four different jobs at four different prices. An editor who quotes a rate without telling you which level it covers, and what evidence in your manuscript points to that level, is quoting a number rather than diagnosing a book.
Ask for an edited sample of your own prose, not their portfolio. A portfolio shows what an editor did to somebody else’s writing. A sample shows what they do to yours, which is the only thing that predicts whether the finished manuscript still sounds like you. Any editor confident in their work will do a short sample. Ours is free at every tier.
Ask what arrives besides the tracked-changes file. A style sheet documents every decision made about numbers, hyphenation, capitalisation, and character spellings, and it is what keeps book two consistent with book one. Revision rounds decide whether you get to push back. An editorial letter explains the structural reasoning. Cheap quotes usually cover the tracked changes and nothing else.
Ask what happens if the pairing does not work. Editor and author fit is real and not always predictable from a sample. Ask whether reassignment is available, whether it costs anything, and whether the replacement editor inherits the existing file or starts over.
AuthorWings answers all four the same way on every project. A written tier diagnosis with the sample, a free sample edit in your own prose, a style sheet and revision rounds in the contract on Standard and Comprehensive, and editor reassignment at no cost with the existing tracked-changes file carried across.
—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. On a 50,000-word manuscript that needed only copy editing and a proofread, Comprehensive runs about $3,100 more than the two levels the manuscript actually needed. Polish on a manuscript with structural problems wastes the editing entirely. These six scenarios cover most of the authors who land on this page, each mapped to the book editing services 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. Novel editing on a first book almost always needs developmental work, and the editorial letter alone is worth the tier price. Drop to Standard only if a previous editor has already handled the developmental pass.
02
Second or Third Book Author
You have published before, and the last book sold and reviewed well, so you know your structure works. 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 chronologically or thematically, which the author rarely sees clearly from the inside.
Tier: Comprehensive recommended. Memoir editing almost always benefits from a developmental pass, 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. Business book editing at the developmental level 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. Both windows assume a manuscript up to 60,000 words.
—Compare
AuthorWings vs other book editing companies on price, scope, and editor experience
Most book editing companies hide scope behind price-per-word quotes, which is why “best book editing services” lists rank providers on price alone. The chart below shows what each tier actually delivers at AuthorWings versus what you typically get elsewhere at the same price point.
Where AuthorWings sits against the other five ways to hire a book editor
Five places to hire book editors, from freelance marketplaces to online book editing services to full agencies. Price ranges plotted against editing scope. Hover or tap 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 before I pay anything?
You do not need to. The sample edit is free. Send 1,000 words from any chapter and 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 do I find and hire a book editor?
Start with work, not a directory. Ask any editor for a sample edit on your own pages rather than a portfolio of other people’s books, because a portfolio shows what a finished manuscript looks like and a sample shows what happens to yours. Check three things before you pay: whether they have edited in your genre, what happens if the first round misses, and whether the quoted level is the level your draft actually needs. Most authors find editors through the Editorial Freelancers Association directory, referrals from other authors in their genre, or agencies that match rather than list. At AuthorWings the sample edit is free at every tier, the editor is matched to your subgenre before assignment, and reassignment costs nothing if the fit is wrong after round one.
What is the turnaround time for book editing, and does a longer manuscript take longer?
Polish runs 5 to 10 business days, Standard 10 to 15, and Comprehensive 21 to 30, counted from the day the contract is signed. Those windows hold to 60,000 words, which covers most manuscripts. Past 60,000, Polish adds 2 to 3 business days per additional 20,000 words, Standard adds 4 to 5, and Comprehensive adds 7 to 10, because the four levels run in sequence and the proofread waits for your revisions. Your exact delivery date is in the quote before you pay anything. If you have a launch date, say so on the call and we will tell you whether it fits.
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 the 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 convert it 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. Rejected changes get discussed again in Round 2, and in Round 3 on Comprehensive, if needed.
Which genres do your editors specialize in?
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, APA, MLA, or Modern Humanities Research Association for academic work depending on your field, 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 and author continuity is what makes the second book move faster than the first. 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 raise concerns after 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.
How much does a book editor cost?
Across the market, book editing runs roughly $0.005 to $0.12 per word depending on the level and who does the work. At AuthorWings a final polish is $0.015 per word, line plus copy editing plus a proofread is $0.045, and all four levels in sequence is $0.10. On a 70,000-word manuscript that is $1,050, $3,150, or $7,000. Single levels bought on their own are priced separately, from $0.014 per word for proofreading up to $0.040 for developmental editing. The free sample edit tells you which level your manuscript needs before you pay, which matters more than the rate itself, because paying for the wrong level is the expensive mistake.
Where can I find a book editor near me?
Authors searching for book editing services near me are usually looking for accountability rather than proximity. Editing is remote work by nature, and a tracked-changes file is the same whether the editor sits in your city or another timezone. AuthorWings is registered in Brooklyn, New York, with editors across United States time zones, and works with authors in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Manuscripts, samples, and revision rounds move by email. The practical questions are time-zone overlap and response time rather than distance.
What is the difference between a book editor and a proofreader?
A proofreader is one kind of book editor, working at the lightest of the four levels. Proofreading is the final read before publication, catching typos, dropped words, and formatting glitches that survived earlier rounds. It is not a substitute for the levels above it. A manuscript that has never been copy edited will still be full of grammar and consistency problems after a proofread, because a proofreader is not looking for them.
Do I need an editor if I am self-publishing?
Self-publishing removes the gatekeeper, not the standard. Traditional publishers run developmental, line, copy, and proofreading passes on every book they release, so a self-published title competes on the same shelf against manuscripts that had all four. The minimum most books need before publication is copy editing and a proofread. Whether developmental or line editing is also needed depends on the draft, which is what the free sample edit is for.
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 sign-up, 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: September 2026