If you’re an author trying to figure out how much editing your novel will cost, you’ve probably seen some wide—and confusing—price ranges. I get it. As both a romance author and a professional editor, I’ve been on both sides of this equation.
The truth? Editing is one of the biggest (and best) investments you’ll make in your book. But costs vary a lot, depending on what kind of editing you need, who you’re working with, and how far along your manuscript is. I go through all these levels of professional editing for my own books and see it as a solid investment on making sure each of my books is the best it can be.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the five most common types of editing for novels, what each one includes, and what you can expect to pay—based on typical industry rates and personal experience.
💡 Note: These are general ranges. Editors set their rates based on experience, availability, specialization, and how much work your manuscript needs. Always check what’s included in the service before you book.
📚 The 5 Main Types of Editing for Novels
Before we dive into pricing, here are the main types of editing you’ll hear about:
- Manuscript Evaluation (also called Manuscript Assessment or Critique among other names)
- Developmental Editing
- Line Editing
- Copyediting
- Proofreading
Each one serves a unique purpose in the revision process. They’re not interchangeable—though some terms do get used loosely (more on that below).
✨ Manuscript Evaluation (aka Manuscript Critique or Assessment)
What it is: This is high-level feedback meant to help you shape your next revision. You’ll get a written report that looks at plot, structure, pacing, character development, emotional resonance, tone, and voice.
You won’t get: In-line comments or direct edits—this is about the big picture, not the nitty-gritty.
Typical rate:
💸 $0.01–$0.03 per word
📌 Or a flat rate of $300–$1,000+, depending on manuscript length and depth of feedback.
I’m continuing my lowered NaNoWriMo rates into early 2026. My Manuscript Evaluation is priced at $0.005/word during this special.
📝 A lot of editors price this service as a flat fee rather than per word. It’s worth checking how they bill—and how detailed the evaluation will be.
Best for: Authors who’ve done a round or two of self-edits and want direction before diving into their next round of revisions.
💬 Heads up: This service varies widely. Some editors send a 2–3 page summary. Others provide a 10+ page editorial report. Always ask what’s included so you know what to expect.
👋 This is one of my favorite services to offer, especially for indie authors. I focus on your story’s big-picture elements: structure, character arcs, tension, pacing, voice, and more. See what’s included.
🧠 Developmental Editing
What it is: A story-level edit that dives deep into structure, pacing, plot arcs, character motivation, conflict, tension, and emotional payoff. You’ll usually get a combination of an editorial letter and margin comments inside the manuscript.
You won’t get: Polished prose—this is about what you’re saying, not how it’s worded (that comes later).
Typical rate:
💸 $0.02–$0.08 per word
I’m continuing my lowered NaNoWriMo rates into early 2026. My Developmental Edit is priced at $0.01/word during this special.
Best for: Authors who are ready to revise and want help strengthening the story itself—not just polishing the surface.
🧩 From experience: I’ve received developmental edits that came with hundreds of tracked comments in Word… and others that included just a few pages of general notes. Neither is wrong, but the expectations were completely different. Always ask how your editor delivers feedback—and how hands-on they’ll be.
✍️ I offer developmental editing that includes an editorial letter, in-line comments, and chapter-by-chapter insights—designed specifically for novels. More details here.
✍️ Line Editing
What it is: A sentence-level edit that focuses on how the story is told. This is where your voice, tone, rhythm, emotional resonance, and clarity are refined. Line editors help make your prose stronger without changing your style.
You won’t get: Grammar correction alone (that’s copyediting) or major story feedback (that’s developmental).
Typical rate:
💸 $0.02–$0.06 per word
I’m continuing my lowered NaNoWriMo rates into early 2026. My Line Editing is priced at $0.01/word during this special.
Best for: Authors with a solid draft who want to elevate their prose and make each sentence shine. This should only be done after your story is complete and you are looking to polish things at line-level, not making changes to the story (like plot).
✨ Line editing is creative work. It’s where the writing gets elevated—not corrected. I offer line editing to help you tell your story even better!
🛠️ Copyediting
What it is: A technical clean-up. Copyediting focuses on grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, consistency, word usage, and clarity. It makes sure everything is accurate and reads cleanly.
You won’t get: Rewritten sentences or structural notes—this is a rules-based, detail-oriented polish.
Typical rate:
💸 $0.01–$0.04 per word
I’m continuing my lowered NaNoWriMo rates into early 2026. My Copyediting is priced at $0.007/word during this special.
Best for: Authors whose story and prose are solid, and who are ready to prep for publication.
🔍 Copyediting also checks for consistency—like making sure your character’s eye color doesn’t change halfway through the book or that you’re not accidentally switching tenses. My copyediting service will clean up your book so it will read clean and clear.
🔍 Proofreading
What it is: The final polish. Proofreading happens when you’re ready to publish, and it catches typos, minor punctuation issues, and leftover errors that slipped through previous rounds.
You won’t get: Rewrites, feedback, or major changes. This is the very last step.
Typical rate:
💸 $0.005–$0.02 per word
I’m continuing my lowered NaNoWriMo rates into early 2026. My Proofreading is priced at $0.004/word during this special.
Best for: Final manuscripts that have already been professionally edited and are ready for publication.
🧼 This isn’t where you fix plot holes. This is your last editing stop before the book is ready for publication. My proofreading service will do a final polish on your manuscript prior to publication.
🤔 What About Combo Line Edits & Copyedits?
This is a common question: Can I hire someone to do both line editing and copyediting at once?
Short answer: Sometimes. But proceed with caution.
Some editors offer a combo line + copy edit to save you time and money. And that can work—especially if your manuscript is clean and the editor is experienced. But here’s the catch:
Line editing and copyediting are two different skill sets.
One is creative and interpretive. The other is technical and rule-bound.
When an editor tries to do both at once, there’s a higher risk of missing things. It’s hard to zoom in and out at the same time. Even excellent editors will tell you: a second pass catches what the first missed.
If you do go for a combo edit, ask whether the editor offers a quick follow-up proofread or discounted second pass. Sometimes editors will do one pass as a line edit and then a separate pass as a copyedit; always ask questions if you aren’t sure and have a preference. Many combo edits are done in one pass, often saving time for both the editor and the author.
I’ve used editors that do combos like this, but I always make sure to go through two rounds of these edits, just to be certain. Either a line edit and then a combo, two combos, or a combo and then a copyedit. (I always follow it up with a proofread.) This ensures nothing is missed.
As an editor, I prefer to not perform these as a single service, but as separate services. Clients are encouraged to book both services, of course, but I prefer to pass the manuscript back after a line edit so the author can make changes and then send it back to me for a copyedit. Very recently in early 2026, I did decide to offer a combo service for clients who are on a tighter deadline and wish to have both services completed in one pass.
💰 Summary of Typical Editing Rates for Novels
| Editing Type | Rate (Per Word) | Flat Rate Example |
|---|---|---|
| Manuscript Evaluation | $0.01–$0.03 | $300–$1,000+ (flat possible) |
| Developmental Editing | $0.02–$0.08 | — |
| Line Editing | $0.02–$0.06 | — |
| Copyediting | $0.01–$0.04 | — |
| Proofreading | $0.005–$0.02 | — |
📝 Editors price based on manuscript length, depth of edit, schedule, experience, and sometimes even genre. You’ll see rates higher and lower than the above, and that’s okay! Don’t be afraid to ask for a quote that fits your project.
📊 According to the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA):
Their posted average rates (as of 2024) fall within these ranges:
- Developmental editing: $0.03–$0.07/word
- Line editing: $0.03–$0.06/word
- Copyediting: $0.02–$0.04/word
- Proofreading: $0.01–$0.029/word
- Manuscript critique: Often billed hourly at $45–$80/hr (which often translates to $0.01–$0.025/word depending on length and depth)
📝 Of course, many freelance editors charge outside those ranges—especially if they’re highly experienced, specialize in a genre, or include extras like chapter-by-chapter notes or email follow-ups. Always ask for a breakdown of what’s included.
👩💻 What I Offer as an Editor (In Case You’re Curious)
I work with fiction authors at every stage—whether you’re writing a first draft, polishing a messy draft, ready for in-depth edits, or looking at line-by-line edits. Here’s the full breakdown of my 9 services, listed in the order they appear on my site:
- 📝 First Draft, First Reader – Chapter-by-chapter support while you draft, including in-line comments and quick reactions to keep you motivated and on track.
- 🧠 First Draft Deep Dive – A one-time full-manuscript read with a concise, high-level editorial report to help guide your next round of revisions.
- 📘 Professional Alpha Reader – A structured story-level report with answers to 22 core questions (plus custom insights based on your manuscript).
- 📊 Manuscript Evaluation – A multi-page editorial critique analyzing your story’s structure, character arcs, pacing, and emotional payoff.
- 👀 Professional Beta Reader – Reader-style feedback with 80+ story questions covering emotional resonance, pacing, and reader satisfaction.
- 🔨 Developmental Editing – Scene-level editing with tracked comments, a focused editorial letter, and chapter-by-chapter notes. This in-depth service helps you refine structure, emotion, and character growth.
- 🖋️ Line Edit – Sentence-level editing to improve clarity, rhythm, tone, and flow—strengthening your voice while preserving your style.
- ✏️ Copyedit – A technical polish focused on grammar, punctuation, and consistency. Includes a personalized Style Sheet documenting all editorial choices for your manuscript.
- 🔍 Proofread – A final surface-level pass to catch lingering typos, punctuation slips, and minor inconsistencies. Perfect for clean, edited manuscripts that are ready for publication.
Plus, I offer Manuscript Loyalty Pricing—up to 20% off when you book multiple services for the same manuscript. (The services can be booked at any time, no commitment, no pre-paying for several services in advance.)
📍 You can dive into every service, see rates, and compare turnaround times on my services page: natashadubois.com/editorial-services.
🗺️ My 11-Step Novel Writing Plan (That Works Across Genres)
I also use—and encourage—an 11-Step Novel Writing Plan that helps me write my own books. It’s flexible and effective for any genre. You’ll find where each of my services fits into the writing and revision process, from outline to release.
Explore the full plan here: My 11-Step Novel Writing Plan →
✨ Final Thoughts
Hiring an editor is a big, and often smart, step forward. But it’s not just about finding someone to revise your words; it’s about getting the right kind of help at the right time. That’s why I’ve designed each of these services to fit into a larger roadmap—so you can get support exactly when you need it, and benefit from discounts as you go.
Authors, Writers, and Novelists: Want to work with someone who gets it as a published author, voracious reader, and professional editor?
💌 Contact me to talk through where you are, what you need, and how I can help your story flourish.
✨ Good editing isn’t about rewriting your story—it’s about helping you tell it better.
Happy reading, writing, and editing,
Natasha Dubois