Does Your Manuscript Really Need Editing?

After countless hours of writing and agonizing, you've finally typed "The End" on your masterpiece. You're proud of your manuscript, and you should be. You've accomplished something most writers only ever dream of. You then run your manuscript through a grammar and spell-check program, get rid of all those annoying squiggly red and green lines, and now you're ready to query or publish to the retailer of your choice. But are you?

Even if you've read and reread that manuscript a dozen times and had your Aunt Betty with the eye for grammar read it, your manuscript may still need editing. This is especially true if this is your first attempt at writing a book-length work, you need a big-picture assessment of your story, you don't have a critique group, or you're self-publishing. Well-crafted stories and clean manuscripts are the marks of a professional author. This page will help you decide whether to invest in professional manuscript editing services and what kind of editorial support your draft may need.

Writers taking the traditional route to publishing will have their manuscripts edited by their publishers if their book makes it out of the slush pile. For these writers, a well-edited first few chapters may make the difference between a request for a full manuscript or an out-and-out rejection.

Now that you have a better understanding of why you might need an editor, let's take a look at the various types of editing. At a high level, the main types of manuscript editing include assessment, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. For a more detailed description of the types of editing, tap or click here to read Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Editing.

Choosing the Right Editor

Understanding where your draft is in the process makes it easier to choose the manuscript editing services that match your goals, timeline, and budget. Many writers won't need all of the editing services listed above, so it's important to understand your story and to receive enough feedback from beta readers and critique groups to determine the scope of editing you'll require.

Do your research when choosing an editor. Make sure the editor you choose understands the various types of editing and is skilled in the type or types you'll need. Ask for references and read their testimonial page. Ask what style guide and dictionary they use—the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary are the industry standards.

Most editors will provide a sample edit prior to quoting a rate or taking you on as a client. Take advantage of this offer to help determine whether you and the editor will be a good fit. Also, be conscious of timeframes and deadlines — many experienced editors book out weeks and sometimes months in advance.

How Much Should Editing Cost?

Manuscript editing rates can vary as much as their definitions. Depending on the type and complexity of the edit, some editors charge anywhere from $.008 to $.08 per word. Other editors charge by the page, with rates ranging from $2 to $10 per page. Still others charge hourly rates ranging from $20 to over $100 per hour. The Editorial Freelancers Association has a handy rate chart that provides an overview of average hourly rates. Click or tap here to visit the EFA website.

I've set my rates to be competitive and to reflect my years of experience and training, my commitment to excellence, and my desire to help writers at all stages of their writing careers. View my full rates and packages here.