Professional book editing typically runs somewhere between one and eight cents per word depending on the type of editing and the editor's experience, which works out to roughly $800 to $9,000+ for an 80,000-word novel. Developmental editing costs the most, proofreading the least, with line editing and copyediting in between. Rates vary this widely because you're paying for different amounts of expertise and time at each stage.
This is part of the Complete Guide to Book Editing.
The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) publishes an annual rate survey based on responses from over a thousand freelance editors, and it's a commonly cited independent benchmark. Its 2026 fiction rates, converted to a rough dollar range for an 80,000-word novel, look roughly like this:
| Editing type | Per-word range | Approx. cost, 80,000 words |
|---|---|---|
| Proofreading | $0.012–$0.02 | $960–$1,600 |
| Copyediting | $0.02–$0.027 | $1,600–$2,160 |
| Line editing | $0.027–$0.035 | $2,160–$2,800 |
| Developmental editing | $0.03–$0.035 (up to $0.08–$0.12+ for specialists) | $2,400–$2,800 (higher for genre specialists) |
These are median ranges reported for fiction; nonfiction, academic, and technical manuscripts often run higher. Other sources report wider bands, with developmental editing in particular ranging anywhere from about $0.02 to $0.15 per word depending on the editor's experience and specialization.
Type of editing matters most: developmental work requires the most expertise and time, while proofreading requires the least. Editor experience is next, since a newer editor may charge 30 to 50% less than one with a decade of experience and published credits. Manuscript condition affects cost too, especially for editors who quote hourly, since a cleaner draft simply takes less time to work through. Turnaround time adds its own premium, with rush jobs commonly costing 25 to 50% more than standard timelines. And genre or subject matter plays a role: technical, academic, or highly specialized content often costs more than general fiction.
Entrada's editing runs roughly $1 per page for shorter projects, working out to a lower effective rate, around half a cent per word, on larger manuscripts. That puts Entrada at or below the low end of the industry ranges above, even for proofreading. Because the right service and price depend on your manuscript's length and what stage it's at, email us for pricing specific to your project rather than relying on a flat number.
Start with a self-edit pass, so you're not paying an editor to fix problems you could catch yourself; see the Self-Editing Checklist. Beta readers are also worth using before you commit to developmental editing, since they're far less expensive and can tell you whether a developmental edit is actually necessary in the first place (see the Complete Guide to Beta Reading). If your manuscript is already clean and well-structured, ask whether a combined line-and-copy edit makes more sense than three separate passes. Avoiding rush turnarounds saves money when your timeline allows it, since standard turnaround is usually meaningfully cheaper. And whatever you decide, get a sample edit before committing to the full manuscript, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
A lower price isn't automatically a worse deal, and a higher price isn't automatically better. What matters is whether the editor or service is a good match for your manuscript's genre and needs, and whether the scope of work is clear before you commit. Ask exactly what's included (how many passes, what level of feedback, whether revisions are covered) before comparing prices across services.
Get a Quote for Your Manuscript
Entrada Publishing's editing rates run well below typical industry ranges, roughly $1 per page for shorter projects and about half a cent per word for larger ones. Email us for pricing specific to your project.
For an 80,000-word novel, industry rates commonly range from roughly $960 for proofreading to $2,800 or more for developmental editing, with wide variation based on the editor's experience and specialization.
Developmental editing requires deep engagement with structure, character, and story, often over multiple passes, while proofreading is a lighter, faster final check. The time and expertise required differ significantly.
Not necessarily. Price is affected by experience, specialization, and business model as much as quality. Ask what's included and request a sample edit before deciding.
Do a self-edit pass first, use beta readers for structural feedback before paying for developmental editing, and avoid rush turnarounds when your timeline allows.