It’s handy to know the cost of editing services upfront so you can budget your project.
I’m transparent about my prices from the start. You’ll find them on my individual services pages as well as all together on this page.
Please note that some are fixed costs (sample edits and 10K-word edits), while others are indicative costs (clearly labelled) before I see an extract of your work and can gauge the work involved.
For website and blog content projects, please contact me to discuss requirements and costs. There are so many variables for web projects, it is difficult to offer an indicative price until we discuss your requirements and I’ve seen some example content.
For more details about pricing, read my blog post: Why is editing so expensive? (and how to reduce the cost)
My average hourly rate adheres to industry standards as advised by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), of which I am an Advanced Professional Member. The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has also confirmed that my rates are appropriate to my service level, reach and reputation.
I accept all major currencies and will use the official exchange rate on XE.com at the time of sending your quote.
Prices for manuscript sample edits – fiction and nonfiction
I offer sample edits on up to 2,500 words. The cost of a sample edit is taken off the price of a full edit if you choose to hire me (not applicable to a 10K-word edit).
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sample proofread | £60 |
| Sample copyedit | £70 |
| Sample line edit | £80 |
| Sample combo line and copyedit | £100 |
Prices for 10,000-word manuscript edits – fiction and nonfiction
A 10K-word edit is an affordable option to discover some of the ways you can improve your whole manuscript.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copyedit of first 10,000 words | £300 |
| Line edit of first 10,000 words | £350 |
| Copyedit and line edit of first 10,000 words | £400 |
Indicative prices for fiction manuscript assessment
A manuscript assessment, or manuscript evaluation, is a detailed report about your manuscript, providing:
- practical advice for self-editing
- structural pointers on plot, pacing and character arcs
- an overview of your writing craft, assessing what’s working well and what you could improve.
The report also includes a chapter-by-chapter breakdown, giving contextual advice on how well each section of your book is working.
If your budget is limited, I can offer a manuscript assessment without the chapter-by-chapter breakdown in the report for a reduction of 20%.
(I accept all major currencies and will use the official exchange rate on XE.com at the time of sending your quote.)
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| First 10,000 words | £300 |
| First 20,000 words | £600 |
| Full manuscript up to 60,000 words | £800 |
| Manuscripts longer than 60,000 words | £800 + £9 per 1,000 words after |
Indicative prices for line editing
Line editing involves examining your writing on a line-by-line basis to improve flow, style and readability.
My prices depend on elements such as the length and complexity of your book, and how many changes are needed. You can get a rough idea from the figures below, but every book is different. (I accept all major currencies and will use the official exchange rate on XE.com at the time of sending your quote.)
Fiction line editing
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 50,000 words | £1,275 (£0.0255 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £1,750 (£0.025 per word) |
| 90,000 words | £2,205 (£0.0245 per word) |
Nonfiction line editing
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 30,000 words | £915 (£0.0305 per word) |
| 50,000 words | £1,500 (£0.03 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £2,030 (£0.029 per word) |
Indicative prices for copyediting
Copyediting involves examining your book manuscript for errors of all kinds and can also improve the flow of language.
My prices depend on elements such as the length and complexity of your book, and how many changes are needed. You can get a rough idea from the figures below, but every book is different. (I accept all major currencies and will use the official exchange rate on XE.com at the time of sending your quote.)
Fiction copyediting
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 50,000 words | £950 (£0.019 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £1,295 (£0.0185 per word) |
| 90,000 words | £1,620 (£0.018 per word) |
Nonfiction copyediting
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 30,000 words | £645 (£0.0215 per word) |
| 50,000 words | £1,050 (£0.021 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £1,435 (£0.0205 per word) |
Indicative prices for combo line and copyediting
This combo service of line and copyediting saves you time and money, as it merges two levels of editing into one round.
My prices depend on elements such as the length and complexity of your book, and how many changes are needed. You can get a rough idea from the figures below, but every book is different. (I accept all major currencies and will use the official exchange rate on XE.com at the time of sending your quote.)
Fiction line and copyediting
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 50,000 words | £2,000 (£0.04 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £2,730 (£0.039 per word) |
| 90,000 words | £3,420 (£0.038 per word) |
Nonfiction line and copyediting
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 30,000 words | £1,500 (£0.05 per word) |
| 50,000 words | £2,400 (£0.048 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £3,325 (£0.0475 per word) |
Indicative prices for proofreading
My book proofreading service checks the final proof of your book before it heads off to the printer or before you launch it online.
My prices depend on elements such as the length and complexity of your book, and how many changes are needed. You can get a rough idea from the figures below, but every book is different. (I accept all major currencies and will use the official exchange rate on XE.com at the time of sending your quote.)
Fiction proofreading
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 50,000 words | £725 (£0.0145 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £980 (£0.014 per word) |
| 90,000 words | £1,215 (£0.0135 per word) |
Nonfiction proofreading
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 30,000 words | £480 (£0.016 per word) |
| 50,000 words | £775 (£0.0155 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £1,050 (£0.015 per word) |
What to do next
Get in touch to find out how I can take your manuscript to the next level. Please include as much information as possible regarding word count, genre and any deadlines you may be working towards.
I’m looking forward to discussing your book with you!
Useful blog posts related to the cost of editing
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All you need to know about manuscript assessments for fiction
A manuscript assessment or manuscript evaluation is a valuable editing step for authors with a solid first draft. Find out what is involved and how to arrange one.
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Why is editing so expensive? (and how to reduce the cost)
You’re a self-publishing author and have found your perfect editor or proofreader … then they send you a quote. Ouch! Why do editors charge so much?
