How Much Does a Book Editor Cost?

[@GeorgeMiller-jy5je]

Thank you so much for this much needed explanation Alyssa, to the people entering this world of finding an "Editor" & a "Ghostwriter". It can be tough and there are some shady people out there. I was lucky to have my book written and published through "Writers Of The West" and that saved me a great amount of time and hassle and paid like $1000 for editing a 200 page manuscript which was a pretty sweet deal!

[@cjpreach]

I have worked with an editor. We began with a 90 minute consultation via video chat, where we did a thorough overview of my novel. She also critiqued about 1,500 words of my novel, as well as one of my short stories. It was a very good experience because her input helped me sharpen my focus on the weaker points of my writing. As I continue work on my novel I am making fewer of those mistakes. Thanks Diane.

[@NicoleWilbur]

Last year, I got a "first 50 page" editorial assessment done for $1500 (including $450 for a market analysis and Reedsy fees). She reviewed the first 50 pages, a 9/10 page synopsis, and character descriptions. The feedback was incredible: the 50 pages and synopsis with inline comments, 33-page editorial letter, some market analysis, and an hour long consultation. She was actually the editor for Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn, as well as many Dan Wells novels and I had a great experience! The feedback was super helpful in solving some big problems with the story - and I loved she gave possible solutions to plot problems, rather than just listing them. It really helped with the brainstorming :)

[@squizzums]

Your video talking about your experience working with an editor was great!

[@NicoleWilbur]

@@squizzums Oh thank you! :) That was a fun one for sure

[@KevvoLightswift]

1500 bucks for 50 pages? That sounds like robbery. I hope you recover that.

[@antanowrites]

​@KevvoLightswift if it sells as much as Mistborn, then it'd definitely be worth it. But yeah let's be real. You won't get that 1500 out of any book if you're not like already famous. So yeah it's kind of too much

[@beescheeseandwineplease889]

You get what you pay for, $1,500 is a great deal if it elevated your book 5-10X better

[@joehavermann7729]

I just love that sweet, silly dog in the background of all of her videos.

[@daviddarlingauthor]

I have found a genre specific editor is invaluable... my first editor didn't understand military terminology, and I ended up wasting lots of money. Spend the money to get someone qualified, knows your style of work and get references! (sample edits are great to have as well).

[@batandjoefan8108]

Where did you search find a genre specific editor? I am writing a novel with military /sci fi/ horror elements and it doesn’t seem like many editors work in such an arena. I did have a beta reader /writer with military experience read several chapters of my novel and his critique was very helpful.

[@critical-thought-4all561]

Reedsy - they’ll have the genre-specific editor you need.

[@farisahmedmohamadnazrudy5375]

This channel is underrated asf

[@vandini8185]

A good editor deserves good payment. Thank you for the insight! 💛

[@UrbanSwagger]

I've had partial edits done with Alyssa (first 10 pages) and Lorin Oberweger (first 3 chapters). Their feedback has been extremely helpful.

[@bellaanna466]

Thank you .

[@JohnMartin-jf7sn]

Thank you for doing these videos. I wish you worked in my genre, science fiction/ fantasy, but perhaps someday I will write something else. Oh, and you have an adorable dog.

[@literallyjane]

I wish more people knew this. I once had an author offer me $100 to edit their 100k word novel. x.x Great video Alyssa!

[@xChikyx]

i've quoted a few editors, and their prices have ranged from $9K to $24K, for one single book, 350K words, developmental edit (ironically tho, the cheapest quote was one that included copy, developmental, and proofread). Even then, $9K is so much that I decided to self edit my work instead

[@critical-thought-4all561]

What - 9k to 24k? Who were you hiring to do the edit, Stephen King? May I kindly suggest visiting Reedsy for much more sensible rate quotes? And please, not just for you, for any author-to-be, self-editing is never, ever the way to go. Ever. Based on the myriad errors in your brief comment, and I mean this respectfully, another set of eyes on your manuscript would really be helpful. Additionally, if I may, unless you’re preparing a series, your project is far too long. Your word count, 350k, equates to, like, four regular novels - but also, that would make sense as to why your editor quotes were so high. Carry on. I earnestly wish you the best with your project(s) - and appreciate your comment.

[@xChikyx]

@@critical-thought-4all561 the quotes were from reedsy actually.

[@soccerguy325]

@@critical-thought-4all561 "And please, not just for you, for any author-to-be, self-editing is never, ever the way to go. Ever." Well unless you're talking about friends/family beta readers I'm afraid some people can't afford to shell out $1k+ before they start querying. And unless you count beta readers I'm pretty sure a lot of people have been published without hiring professional editors. That being said of course it's still a good investment, if you can afford it.

[@soccerguy325]

@@xChikyx No wonder your quotes were so high - 350k words!! That's about 3.5 the normal maximum.

[@xChikyx]

@@soccerguy325 yeah, but it's worth it

[@rowan7929]

Paid over 3000AUD for my first two books. Since I sadly have dyslexia and partly think in German, so I had to get the best editing available. But since I have quit the self path, I only go for the basic one to fix my grammar and anything else to make it good enough for agents. This of course is much cheaper were I pay less than 500AUD.

[@andeeharry]

Depends on who you go with....Editing can be quite pricy, since there are many of them and you have to work with them a few times

[@martinsadl1936]

I'm subscribed to your channel, Alyssa, and your guidance, tips, and links, are most helpful to me as a first time novelist. You're friend on the sofa, seems to have stopped paying attention to your advice 😊.

[@vandini8185]

A question please: I hunted your site for your exact price range but couldn't find anything clearly. Please help me out. I would really like a ballpark figure.

[@melvindodson6827]

Thank you very fantastic

[@codingwithguyfranciscopoli9887]

Too much, and it's a crapshoot. Had an issue with one editor who kept missing deadlines. I finally gave her an ultimatum, and she finally delivered last-day, last-minute. As you can imagine, the results were scattershot or just sloppy.

[@ellennewth6305]

OMG! I LOVE your precious dog!!!

[@johnparnham5945]

I had a children's manuscript assessment done and it was worth the money. I didn't agree with everything he said but it did make me reconsider certain aspects of my story. I write middle grade so it's important that what I write is of good quality. So, that was a positive experience. I have just received my copy editor 'manuscript and it's been enormously helpful, but I have to admit that I should have waited until I was sure that it was ready to send. I was a little hasty and impatient. On the plus side, she had done a good job and I,'m pleased with what she's done. It's my task now to apply what she's done to my manuscript which will take a while.

[@thelinkeducationalsupports2949]

How long was it and how much was it? Trying to ascertain a range forservices for me.

[@zanemarion7211]

I do my own editing and had a professional proofreader give sample edit of opening chapter of a novel. Quoted me for $3,000 for 100,000 word count novel. And that is last editor you go to. It the cheapest type editor you can hire also. How much work will they have to do is mostly what they go by. If they have spend more time then it cost you more money. Less work equal less money you need to pay.

[@chrismeister884]

Do you also give referrals to agents you think would be interested in the book you helped develop edit or editorial edit?

[@jasonhobbs2405]

Alyssa, tell me if this worry is unfounded. I worry that an editor has to prove they’re worth the money, so they might suggest things to change even if it’s already good enough. Following their advice might even make the manuscript worse. Am I crazy?

[@jasonhobbs2405]

@DawnSClark thanks!

[@miguel1aalvarez]

Do you have a video on querying for an illustrated children’s book?

[@janefarrer2868]

❤do u edit before u format? Thank you ❤

[@patbrumph6769]

Does it matter how long the title of a novel is?

[@captaindeadpool313]

now I feel odd to have my 94k work novel edited for 80, and a 105k word novel before that edited for 113. Edit: Both were on fiverr and the 94k one was primarily a line editor.

[@critical-thought-4all561]

You get what you pay for - especially on Fiverr!

[@LucianoCantabruel]

do you know can I find editors for fiction novel written in spanish?

[@andrewjohnston1564]

I wish I'd found this video before hiring an editor. She will edit my 93k manuscript for $600.

[@taylabria]

Do you edit poetry books or know of someone who does?

[@singinginmycar9014]

What is the average salary of an editor at a publishing house?!

[@Queteimp]

My book is related to sports tactics. Could you please give me some advice?

[@Queteimp]

@DawnSClark So you u don’t s. Para que le pregunto a I___s

[@Queteimp]

Only speak English..Most amer can't even spell English. learn somo other langueges so you are not ignorant. I speak Eng ,Spa and German. Do yourself a favor.@DawnSClark

[@davidgagnon5581]

How much might it cost? Ask sombody else

[@duke_of_lilywhite4829]

Who is the red-headed pooch in the background? It looks like a retriever-terrier mix. (⊙‿⊙✿)

[@absolutelycitron1580]

Yeah, I'm for sure never gonna self publish. Idk how tf people afford this. They must be making over $25 per hour at their day job, have a cheap rental agreement or have a bougie family that just gives them free money. Or all of the above

[@josephconforti4684]

I've been warned against using reedsy by other on-line experts. Just saying.

[@ortegafresn]

Play in 1.75x speed Recommended

[@gingersiminski3073]

Do you recommend a professional edit before I seek a literary agent?

[@FootballRob2010]

Hello to the doggie on the couch ☺️

[@bobcornwell403]

My novel is presently being copy-edited. I am paying $ 0.015 a word.

[@Goffyuno]

Is that a keyboard cat, AFK?

[@Madfattdeeb]

Do editors help cut your book down? It seems I have overdone it. 😂

[@JonGabriel]

Off-topic, but ... your dog rules.