Most authors are shocked when they find out how much a book editor costs. That's because they don't know what book editors usually charge – or how much work they actually do (it's no different to using an AI grammar checker, right?). What's more, it can be hard to measure the return on investment. After all, we can't guarantee a bestseller!
As a result, many authors place a low value on editing and select the lowest bidder. This is a shame because editing is a dynamic and collaborative task that requires time, specialist training and painstaking attention to detail. And if you skip this process – or hire someone who isn't a pro – it can have embarrassing consequences. So in the spirit of setting the record straight, here's why book editors can be so expensive:
1. Time
In general, editors review your words at about half the speed it would take to read them. That's because we need to be careful. If we went any faster, we’d miss critical errors. Sometimes we also need to do a second pass to review corrections, adding to the time commitment. While more experienced editors work faster, long, complex or fact-heavy books can take extra time. (For more on how long it takes to edit a book, see my FAQs.)
2. Knowledge
We’ve invested years or even decades learning, refining and updating our skills. And no, an English degree or being an ‘avid reader’ won’t cut it. There are best practices, conventions and a code of ethics that only trained editors will know and implement.
Most untrained editors won't know what running heads are, or a style sheet (not to be confused with a style guide), or the difference between an en dash and an em dash. This can mean the difference between a so-so edit and one that makes your writing shine.
3. Experience
The more books we edit, the more we build our skills, familiarise ourselves with different subject areas and understand editorial requirements. This means you get someone who has seen a specific problem before and knows how to solve it.
Plus, many of us have worked in the book or publishing industry, so we bring insider knowledge about book design and marketing that can help your book get noticed in a crowded marketplace. (Try getting that from AI!)
4. Running costs
Freelance editors are running a business, just like everyone else, so they need to invest in equipment, software, subscriptions, web hosting (if they have a website), utilities, accountancy fees, professional associations and training. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to edit at the level we do – or meet the needs of your project.
Summing up: Why are book editors so expensive?
Editing is a skill – and it can't be pawned off to Grammarly or ChatGPT (at least, not yet). It requires an investment of time, knowledge, experience and tools, which is why editors charge what they do.
If you’re nervous about spending four figures on a copyeditor, you can always submit your manuscript to a traditional publisher. But if you’ve ever done this, you’ll know how competitive it can be. Plus, it can take publishers months to get back to you – if you hear from them at all!
For those who go down the self-publishing route, copyediting and proofreading are non-negotiables and should be factored into your publication budget. And while book editors can’t guarantee a bestseller (it takes more than just top-notch editing to get your book noticed), they'll help you polish your writing until it's the best version it can be!
Need a freelance editor to whip your non-fiction book into shape? Request a sample edit or message me through my contact page.
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