Blog Packages & Pricing

How Much to Charge to Edit a Book (and What Authors Should Pay)

How much to charge to edit a book is a freelancer question. How much to edit a book is the author’s. Both fail if you do not name the level: developmental, copy/line, or proofread.

If you are the editor

Quote by level and word count, define rounds in writing, and do not call a proofread a developmental edit. Industry per-word bands move; your rate has to cover revisions you promised.

If you are the author

AuthorShelf’s listed editing: developmental $380, copyediting + proofreading $799 (confirm live product pages). A full freelancer stack plus cover plus interior often exceeds a self publishing package once you add project management time. Most debut authors who need production too start at Launch ($597) or Pro ($997).

More: what an editor costs · levels of copyediting.

Next step: Self publishing packages ($399–$2,989) · Author services · Author Readiness Call

Ready to publish with full visibility?

Explore Spark through Ultimate, or talk with us for 15 minutes — no pressure, no opaque menus.