Non-Fiction Editing Services for Expert Books, at Every EFA Level
Non-fiction editing with AuthorWings is priced by level and word count. Proofreading starts at $250 and developmental editing at $450 for the first 10,000 words, then a per-word rate. A 60,000-word book costs $1,500 to proofread or $8,880 for all four levels. Start with a $49 sample edit.
- $49 sample edit
- Editors matched to your subject
- Chicago, APA, MLA or AP style
One lead editor who knows your subject, a fixed price in line with EFA rates, and a fresh proofreader for the final check.
Non-fiction editing prices
Non-fiction editing prices by book length
Drag the slider to your word count. Each card prices one editing level for your book: a set price up to 10,000 words, then a per-word rate. Every edit comes back as tracked changes in Word, done by a human editor.
Level 1 · Deepest
Developmental editing
Argument, structure and chapter order
$2,700
$450 up to 10,000 words, then $0.045 a word
An 8 to 20 page editorial letter, plus chapter notes in the manuscript
15 to 25 business days
Choose developmentalLevel 2
Line editing
Clarity, flow and your expert voice
$2,580
$430 up to 10,000 words, then $0.043 a word
Tracked changes, with comments explaining each rewrite
7 to 12 business days
Choose line editingLevel 3
Copy editing
Grammar, consistency and citation style
$2,100
$350 up to 10,000 words, then $0.035 a word
Tracked changes, plus a style sheet of every term and decision
5 to 10 business days
Choose copy editingLevel 4 · Final
Proofreading
The final typo and layout pass
$1,500
$250 up to 10,000 words, then $0.025 a word
Corrections marked on your final file or typeset pages
3 to 7 business days
Choose proofreadingMany non-fiction books need more than one level, in this order. Not sure which? Start with a $49 sample edit and we’ll tell you.
Need it sooner? Rush delivery is +15%, subject to availability.
Flexible, milestone-based payments, set out in your agreement before work starts.
Over 150,000 words? Quoted on your call.
All prices in USD, excluding tax.
| Editing level | 40,000 words | 60,000 words | 80,000 words | 90,000 words | 120,000 words |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developmental editing | $1,800 | $2,700 | $3,600 | $4,050 | $5,400 |
| Line editing | $1,720 | $2,580 | $3,440 | $3,870 | $5,160 |
| Copy editing | $1,400 | $2,100 | $2,800 | $3,150 | $4,200 |
| Proofreading | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,250 | $3,000 |
| Line, copy and proofreading | $4,120 | $6,180 | $8,240 | $9,270 | $12,360 |
| All four levels | $5,920 | $8,880 | $11,840 | $13,320 | $17,760 |
Copy editing comes with a style sheet, and developmental editing with an 8 to 20 page editorial letter. Novels use our fiction editing rates, and memoir rates are on the book editing services page.
The AuthorWings Specialist Network
Editors and proofreaders.
Showing 18 professionals
EditorDawn M. BarclayVetted EditorSuspense, Romance
United StatesEnglish (US)Beyond editing, as of October, 2026, I’ve written seven novels, three nonfiction books, and edited nine crime fiction anthologies. My work has won the Agatha, Macavity, Chanticleer, Maxy, and Lowell Thomas Gold Awards, and I have been a finalist for the Anthony and Silver Falchion…Manuscript assessmentCopy editingQuery letter and synopsis review+8 more30 yrs20+ booksView profile →
EditorCortni MerrittVetted EditorHistorical fiction, Self-helpUnited StatesEnglish (US)I began freelance editing in 2010 and launched SRD Editing Services in 2018, where I work mostly with self-publishing writers. I also provide white-label editing services to traditional imprints. I hold an MA in English literature, editing certificates from Florida State University and Poytner Institute,…Copy editingDevelopmental editingProofreading+1 more16 yrs200+ booksView profile →
EditorJudith ArnoldVetted EditorMemoir, Fiction
CanadaEnglish (US)I’m a ghostwriter, editor, author coach and author. I enjoy writing and editing memoir, literary and women’s fiction, romance of all heat levels, romantasy, fantasy and speculative fiction, mysteries and cozies. I’m particularly drawn to true-life stories and mixed-genre mashups told with strong and interesting…Manuscript assessmentDevelopmental editingLine editing+11 more20 yrs50 booksView profile →
EditorKerry AbermanVetted EditorFiction, NonfictionUnited StatesEnglish (US)I am a full-time book editor with nine years’ experience specializing in developmental and line edits. Books I’ve edited have won numerous awards and reached New York Times best seller status. I also offer professional proofreads, manuscript evaluations, and query and synopsis packages. When I…Manuscript assessmentDevelopmental editingLine editing+13 more9 yrs117 booksView profile →
EditorJenny BowmanVetted EditorMiddle Grade, Children's BooksUnited StatesEnglish (US and UK)Jenny Bowman is Children’s Book Editor with over fifteen years experience providing developmental editing and children’s book coaching for Picture Books, Chapter Books and Middle Grade Novels. She works with authors from around the world, and has edited books on the New York Times bestselling…Developmental editingQuery letter and synopsis reviewChildren's book coaching16 yrs100+ booksView profile →
EditorGinny RuthsVetted EditorMemoir, Narrative nonfictionUnited StatesEnglish (US)As a substantive, developmental, and line editor for 30+ years, I’ve collaborated with clients around the world in both fiction and nonfiction, from memoir and spirituality to fantasy and thriller to children’s picture books. Business clients include Paralyzed Veterans of America, Infinity Foundation, US Soccer,…Manuscript assessmentCopy editingQuery letter and synopsis review+15 more36 yrs30+ booksView profile →
EditorKayinat KashifThriller, Mystery
PakistanEnglish (US and UK)I am an editorial specialist with experience supporting authors, publishing imprints, and academic clients through manuscript development, structural and line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and academic writing support. I work with a client-focused approach to editorial planning, style-guide consistency, project coordination, and preparing clear, polished work…Manuscript assessmentDevelopmental editingLine editing+4 more5 yrs20 booksView profile →
EditorDana AlsamsamVetted EditorLiterary Fiction, PoetryUnited StatesEnglish (US)I help authors bring their vision to life! ❤️🔥 I'm a professional book editor, published poet and writer, and MFA graduate with experience working with authors across a wide range of genres, including literary fiction, genre fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and poetry. I offer developmental…Manuscript assessmentCopy editingQuery letter and synopsis review+4 more10 yrs500+ booksView profile →
EditorMark GardnerVetted EditorChristian Fiction/Fantasy, Science FictionUnited StatesEnglish (US and UK)I am an editor and proofreader with more than nine years of experience working with independent authors, small presses, and self-publishing professionals. I have edited 40 books and 200 academic papers. My projects have included fiction and nonfiction books, memoirs, self-help titles, business books, true…Line editingCopy editingProofreading+3 more9 yrs40 booksView profile →
EditorScarlett R. AlgeeVetted EditorHorror, Science FictionUnited StatesEnglish (US)I hold a B.A. in English, with honors, from Lambuth University and have extensive professional experience as a freelance editor, including work for JournalStone Publishing, Stars and Sabers, and Sley House, as well as maintaining my own independent imprint, Cold War Radio Press. I specialize…Developmental editingLine editingCopy editing+5 more13 yrs200 booksView profile →
EditorTaylor MelendyVetted EditorFiction, FantasyUnited StatesEnglish (US)I’m an editor with 11 years of experience and have worked on 165 books for independent authors and hybrid publishers, including MindStir Media, Manhattan Book Group, and Seacoast Press. I edit fiction and fantasy, memoir, nonfiction, and children’s books, with a special interest in projects…Manuscript assessmentDevelopmental editingLine editing+2 more11 yrs165 booksView profile →
EditorSue TothVetted EditorFiction, MemoirUnited StatesI am a developmental editor and book coach. My specialty is working with fiction authors in the genres of romance, mystery, thriller, psychological thriller, and suspense. When you work with me, we will look at the big picture of your book together. I'll help you…Manuscript assessmentDevelopmental editingBook coaching20 yrs500 booksView profile →
EditorLorraine WhiteleyVetted EditorNon-fiction, Academic
South AfricaAfrikaans, English (US and UK)As a lifelong avid reader with a sharp eye for detail, I am a certified Copyeditor and Proofreader dedicated to delivering flawless, high-quality content. I recently formalised my lifelong passion by earning my certification from SA Writers' College in April 2026. However, my editorial roots…Copy editingManuscript assessmentFact-checking+5 more15 yrs100 booksView profile →
EditorPaul MartinVetted EditorHistory, Education
United KingdomEnglish (UK, US) +1I am a passionate and meticulous education resource developer and History specialist editor (fiction/non-fiction; trade, academic), with over 20 years’ experience across a range of subjects and audiences. I worked first in-house for UK education publishers and for the last 10 years as a full-time…Manuscript assessmentCopy editingFact-checking+2 more24 yrs100s booksView profile →
EditorJoelle NanulaRomance, FantasyUnited StatesEnglish (US)I am a professional proofreader and copy editor with over six years of experience in the field of editing. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, I worked as both a creative copywriter and academic editor before falling in love with the world…Copy editingProofreading6 yrs25+ booksView profile →
EditorVicky HaygoodVetted EditorScience Fiction, FantasyUnited StatesEnglish (US)I am a freelance editor and publishing professional with 7+ years of experience providing developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and book production support. I specialize in fiction and author services, with experience across romance, romantasy, fantasy, science fiction, horror, speculative fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, literary/upmarket…Copy editingProofreadingDevelopmental editing+6 more7 yrs40 booksView profile →
EditorTenesha L. CurtisVetted EditorFiction, Self-HelpUnited StatesEnglish (US)I have an academic and professional background in psychotherapy for addictive diseases, and currently work full-time as the publishing manager at Get Book Help. As an indie author myself, I have real-world, first-hand experience with exactly what my clients are experiencing—no theories, no hearsay, I…Manuscript assessmentQuery letter and synopsis reviewDevelopmental editing+25 more26 yrs300 booksView profile →
EditorBlessing Oluebube OguwikeVetted EditorWriting, Editing
NigeriaEnglish (US)Results-oriented Editor, Author Support Specialist on Webnovel Platforms, Acquisitions Editor, Cleva U.S. Bank Ambassador, and Certified AI Specialist with over five years of experience supporting authors, improving manuscript quality, managing publishing operations, and promoting brands across leading digital publishing platforms. Demonstrated expertise in manuscript acquisition,…Manuscript assessmentDevelopmental editingLine editing+16 more5 yrs35 booksView profile →No one matches these filters.
Choosing your editor: Standard pricing assigns the best available editor for your genre. Named Specialists, including professionals with bestselling titles to their name, work to their own schedules, so their pricing and start dates are confirmed on your consultation call.
Choosing a level
Which edit does your non-fiction book need? Start with what a reader would trip over
Pick the level that fixes the biggest problem a reader would hit first. Moving chapters after a copy edit means paying for the copy edit twice, so structure comes before sentences.
Early readers get lost, or the chapters don’t build toward your main point
Developmental editing
You’re not sure the draft needs a full edit yet
Editorial assessment, $180 then $0.018 a word
The ideas are sound, but paragraphs are dense, repetitive or full of jargon
Line editing
Terms, figures, headings or citations change from chapter to chapter
Copy editing
The book is formatted and ready to upload
Proofreading
A developmental editor reads for argument, structure and what the reader still needs explained; our developmental editing page shows what the letter holds. The editorial assessment fee is credited toward a full edit booked within 60 days.
For the difference between the levels, see what a book editor does, line editing vs copy editing and copy editing vs proofreading.
What we check
What a non-fiction editor checks beyond grammar
A non-fiction editor checks whether a reader can follow, trust and use what you know, as well as your sentences. These six checks matter most in a non-fiction book.
Argument and chapter order
Each chapter builds on the last, and nothing the reader needs arrives too late. Chapters that repeat each other get flagged.
The promise to the reader
The introduction says what the reader will be able to do or understand, and every chapter delivers part of it.
Jargon and definitions
Every term is defined the first time it appears and used the same way after that. Shop talk a general reader won’t know gets marked.
Claims and sources
Names, dates, figures and quotes match everywhere they appear. A claim that needs a source, or reads as out of date, gets a comment.
Headings, lists and tables
Heading levels stay consistent, steps are numbered in order, and every table and figure is referred to correctly in the text.
The style sheet
The copy editor records every term, capitalization, number style and citation rule, so the proofreader and your next book follow the same rules.
Checks by book type
Readers of each kind of non-fiction expect different things, and your editor checks for them. Your lead editor is matched to your subject, so these checks are part of the edit at no extra cost.
Business and leadership
Frameworks are named once and used the same way, and every chapter ties back to the problem the reader brought to the book.
Self-help and personal development
Each step is clear enough to act on, and exercises and examples sit where the reader needs them.
How-to and practical guides
Steps are in the right order, nothing is skipped, and cross-references point to the right chapter.
Health and wellness
Claims are worded no stronger than their sources, and anything a reader might act on gets a note for your review.
History and narrative non-fiction
Dates, names and quotes stay consistent, and the story reads like a story without losing the record.
Science and technology
Hard ideas are explained in order, numbers and units follow one style, and figures match their captions.
Faith and spirituality
Scripture quotations follow one translation and one reference style, and every citation can be found.
Academic books for general readers
The rigor stays and the dissertation voice goes, so a reader outside your field can follow the argument.
A non-fiction edit, up close
One passage, before and after
Here’s a short passage from a book on back pain for desk workers by our example author Daniel, a physical therapist. His readers sit at a desk all day, and most have no medical training.
BeforeChapter 4
Studies show that sitting causes back pain. The average office worker sits for ten hours a day. As we saw in Chapter 2, the 30-minute rule fixes this. Every half hour, stand up and utilize a lumbar extension to offload the discs.
AfterTracked changes
Studies show that sitting causes back pain. Long stretches of sitting are linked to lower back pain. The average office worker sits for ten hours a day. Many office workers sit for most of the working day. As we saw in Chapter 2 chapter 3, the 30-minute rule fixes this 30-minute reset helps. Every half hour, stand up and utilize a lumbar extension to offload the discs lean back gently with your hands on your hips.
| Line | Problem | Caught at |
|---|---|---|
| “Studies show that sitting causes back pain.” | A cause claim with no source, worded more strongly than the evidence. Reworded and flagged for a citation | Copy edit (claims and sources) |
| “ten hours a day” | A figure with no source. Softened until Daniel adds one | Copy edit (claims and sources) |
| “As we saw in Chapter 2” | The reset is introduced in chapter 3 | Copy edit (cross-reference, logged in the style sheet) |
| “the 30-minute rule” | Called the “30-minute reset” everywhere else in the book | Copy edit (terms) |
| “utilize a lumbar extension to offload the discs” | Clinical jargon a desk worker won’t follow | Line edit |
Style sheet entryTerm: 30-minute reset (lowercase, hyphenated).Cross-references: chapter 3 (lowercase, numeral).
Every change arrives as a tracked suggestion with the reason in a comment. You accept or reject each one, and for each flagged claim you either add the source or keep the softer wording.
Citations and notes
Citations, endnotes and quotations, in one consistent style
The copy editor checks that your notes, bibliography and in-text references follow one style from the first chapter to the last, and that every note points to the right passage.
- Chicagothe default for US trade non-fiction
- APA, MLA or APon request, or your publisher’s house style
- 1 style sheetfor terms, numbers and citations
Long quotations, epigraphs, song lyrics and images that may need permission get a comment, so you can clear them before you publish. See quotes, real people and permissions for how that works.
How a non-fiction edit works, from sample to final pages
Sample edit
Send up to 1,000 words for $49. You get them back with tracked changes and comments, plus a note on which edit your draft needs.
Price and NDA
You get a written price for your length and level, and your editor signs an NDA before the full manuscript arrives.
The edit
Your lead editor marks changes and source queries in tracked changes, and builds the style sheet for your terms and citations.
Your revisions
You review every change, add any sources the editor asked for and revise in your own time.
Final proofread
A second proofreader, new to the book, checks the typeset pages, notes and running heads against the style sheet.
Edit, design and publish
Author-Polished non-fiction bundles from edit to launch
An Author-Polished bundle takes your non-fiction book from edit to cover, formatting and publishing on one contract, with one team and one timeline. The editing in each bundle is charged at full non-fiction rates.
Author-Polished Starter
Finished books where the structure is already sound
$3,299
For 20,000 words · 4 to 6 weeks90,000-word book: $10,509
- Line, copy and proofreading
- Print-Ready cover
- Ebook, paperback and hardcover formatting
- Online Stores publishing
Author-Polished Growth
Most popularBooks needing all four editing levels
$4,199
For 20,000 words · 5 to 7 weeks90,000-word book: $14,559
- Everything in Starter, with:
- All four editing levels
- An 8 to 20 page editorial letter
Author-Polished Authority
The deepest edit, an illustrated cover, and the widest reach
$5,023
For 20,000 words · 5 to 8 weeks90,000-word book: $15,383
- Everything in Growth, plus:
- Illustrated cover
- Global publishing
- 30 days of support after launch
Other lengths are quoted for your word count. See the full Author-Polished bundle comparison, or what non-fiction publishing covers once the edit is done.
Not ready for an edit?
When non-fiction editing is the wrong first step
An edit improves a finished draft of a non-fiction book. If one of these four describes you, start somewhere else.
The draft isn’t finished
A book coach helps you get to the end on a deadline.
You’d rather someone wrote it
Non-fiction ghostwriting includes all four EFA editing levels.
It’s a memoir
Memoir has its own rates, from $190 for a proofread, on the book editing page linked in the price table above.
It’s a children’s picture book
Children’s book editing is priced by book type, with a read-aloud pass.
Non-fiction editing questions experts ask first
Questions about sources, citations or your subject that aren’t answered here can go straight to an editor.
How much does it cost to edit a non-fiction book?
For a 60,000-word non-fiction book, proofreading costs $1,500, copy editing $2,100, line editing $2,580 and developmental editing $2,700. Line, copy and proofreading together cost $6,180, and all four levels cost $8,880. Each price is fixed before work starts, and a $49 sample edit tells you which level your draft needs.
Do you fact-check non-fiction books?
Your editor checks facts for consistency inside the book: names, dates, figures and quotes match everywhere they appear. Any claim that needs a source, or reads as out of date, gets a comment. Checking every claim against outside sources isn’t part of the edit, so you or a subject expert confirm the flagged items before publication.
Can you format my endnotes and bibliography?
Yes. The copy editor brings your notes, bibliography and in-text references into one style, Chicago by default, or APA, MLA or AP if you ask. Each note is checked against the passage it supports, and missing details such as a page number or year get a comment. You supply anything the editor can’t find in your manuscript.
Will the editor simplify my technical terms?
No. Your terms stay, because they’re part of what makes you the expert. The editor makes sure each one is defined the first time it appears and used the same way after that. A term a general reader won’t follow gets a comment with a plainer option, and you decide whether to keep it.
I’m the expert. Do I still need a developmental edit?
Often, yes. When you know a subject completely, it’s hard to see what a reader still needs explained, defined or proven. A developmental editor reads as your reader and marks where the argument jumps ahead. If you’re unsure, an editorial assessment costs $180, then $0.018 a word, and the fee is credited toward a full edit booked within 60 days.
How is non-fiction editing different from fiction editing?
A fiction editor checks story logic: point of view, pacing and continuity. A non-fiction editor checks whether a reader can follow, trust and use what you know: the order of the argument, definitions, claims that need a source and citation style. That extra checking is why non-fiction rates are higher, from $250 for a proofread.
Can you edit a book that includes client or company information?
Yes. Your editor signs a project NDA before receiving the manuscript, so client stories, company figures and case studies stay private. The editor can also flag passages that name real people or businesses, so you can decide whether to anonymize them. Your manuscript is never uploaded to AI tools or training pipelines, as set out in our AI Policy.
Start with a $49 sample edit of your non-fiction book
Send up to 1,000 words from any chapter. Within 3 days, you get them back edited with tracked changes and comments, plus a short note on which level your book needs and what it will cost. The $49 comes off your edit if you book within 60 days.
Your $49 sample editBack in 3 days
How the sample works
- SendUp to 1,000 words from any chapter
- EditedYour 1,000 words, with every change shown
- RecommendedA short note on which level your book needs
- CreditedThe $49 comes off your edit within 60 days
You keep 100% of the rights to your work, and nothing is signed until you decide.
