What Is The Average Cost To Edit A Book

Gary Smailes | 3 November 2025

How book editing is priced (levels and models)

Book editing has four main levels, each with different costs and purposes. Think of them as layers of polish, from foundation to final shine.

The four editing levels

Developmental editing tackles the big picture. Does your story work? Are the characters compelling? Is the structure sound? A developmental editor looks at plot holes, pacing problems, and whether your book meets genre expectations. This is the most expensive level because it requires the most skill and time. The editor might suggest cutting entire scenes, restructuring chapters, or deepening character arcs.

Line editing focuses on voice and flow. The structure works, but how do the sentences read? A line editor smooths awkward phrasing, tightens wordy passages, and makes sure your voice stays consistent. They hunt for repetitive words, unclear metaphors, and sentences that trip readers up. This level costs less than developmental but more than copyediting.

Copyediting cleans up the mechanics. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency checks. A copyeditor catches timeline errors, character name variations, and style guide violations. They build a style sheet documenting your choices about hyphenation, capitalization, and preferred spellings. This is precise, technical work priced lower than the creative levels above.

Proofreading happens last, on formatted pages. The proofreader catches final typos, spacing issues, and layout problems. They work from proofs, not raw manuscript files. This costs the least because the scope is narrow and the text is nearly finished.

Many manuscripts need multiple levels. A common path: developmental edit, author revision, line edit, author revision, copyedit, layout, proofread.

Pricing models explained

Per-word pricing dominates book editing. You get a rate per word, multiply by your word count, and know your total cost upfront. A 80,000-word novel at $0.03 per word costs $2,400. Simple math, predictable budget.

Per-hour pricing varies wildly. An experienced editor might finish 2,000 words per hour while a thorough one takes 500 words per hour. The same manuscript gets different totals. Always ask for an estimated hour range and a not-to-exceed cap. Otherwise, you might budget for ten hours and get billed for twenty.

Per-page pricing uses standard manuscript pages of 250 words each. Your 80,000-word book equals 320 pages. At $5 per page, you pay $1,600. Confirm the word-per-page calculation to avoid surprises. Some editors use 275 or 300 words per page.

Flat project fees work for defined scopes. The editor quotes one price for the whole job, regardless of time spent. This protects you from hourly overruns but requires clear scope boundaries. What happens if you add 5,000 words? Flat fees need detailed contracts.

What you typically get

Most editing packages include these deliverables:

Tracked changes show every edit in your document. You see deletions, additions, and moves. Accept or reject each change individually. This transparency helps you learn from the editing process.

Margin comments explain the reasoning behind changes. The editor might note "unclear antecedent" next to a pronoun fix or "show don't tell" beside a suggested revision. These notes teach technique while improving your manuscript.

Style sheet documents editorial decisions. How do you spell email or e-mail? Do you use the Oxford comma? The style sheet ensures consistency across your book and future projects.

Editorial letter summarizes big-picture feedback. For developmental edits, this might be several pages covering character development, plot structure, and market positioning. For copyedits, it might highlight recurring issues like comma splices or passive voice.

Revision rounds vary by editor and price point. Some include one round of follow-up questions. Others charge separately for reviewing your revisions. Clarify this upfront.

Market reference points

Check your quotes against industry standards. The Editorial Freelancers Association publishes annual rate surveys showing current ranges. Platforms like Reedsy, Upwork, and 99designs provide market data from active editors.

EFA rates give you professional baselines. Marketplace platforms show broader ranges, including newer editors with lower rates. Neither tells you everything about quality, but both help spot outliers.

Beware quotes far below market rates. Editing requires skill, experience, and time. Extremely low prices often signal inexperience, rushed work, or hidden costs. Pay fairly for professional service.

Scope clarity saves money

Vague project descriptions lead to scope creep and surprise charges. Define these elements upfront:

Target audience and genre: A romance editor knows different conventions than a mystery editor. Technical nonfiction requires different skills than memoir. Match your editor's experience to your book's needs.

Style guide preferences: Chicago Manual of Style dominates book publishing, but some genres prefer AP Style or specific house styles. Choose your guide before editing starts.

Dictionary choice: Merriam-Webster and Oxford differ on spellings, hyphenation, and usage. Pick one and stick with it.

Current draft status: Is structure locked or still shifting? Has someone edited it already? The editor needs to know what foundation they are building on.

Timeline and flexibility: Rush jobs cost more. Flexible deadlines might earn discounts or priority scheduling during slower periods.

Pricing strategy examples

A clean, self-edited manuscript might need light copyediting at the lower end of the range. A rough first draft might require heavy line editing at premium rates.

Genre affects pricing too. Literary fiction with complex prose takes longer than straightforward thriller editing. Academic books with citations and footnotes increase the scope.

Editor experience matters. A veteran with twenty years and strong testimonials commands higher rates than someone building a portfolio. But newer editors often provide excellent value while establishing their reputation.

Sample the editor's work before committing. Most professionals offer a trial edit of 1-5 pages. This shows you their editing style, reveals the actual level of work your manuscript needs, and confirms compatibility.

The cheapest editor rarely delivers the best value. The most expensive might exceed your needs. Look for the right fit: appropriate experience level, clear communication, fair rates, and alignment with your book's requirements.

What influences the quote you receive

Quotes come from time estimates, risk, and scope. Not vibes. Here is what moves the number up or down, and why.

Manuscript length and complexity

Word count drives hours. Double the words, roughly double the time. An 80,000-word novel asks more of an editor than a 50,000-word novella, even before complexity enters the room.

Complexity adds friction. Dense worldbuilding, braided timelines, big casts, or technical subject matter slow an edit. A fantasy saga with invented languages, maps, and lore takes longer than a tight domestic thriller. A business book with charts and citations takes longer than a light memoir. Longer plus denser equals higher quote.

Quick gut check: take your longest chapter. Count scene breaks and POV shifts. List any tables, endnotes, or special elements. More moving parts means more hours.

Draft quality

Clean drafts move fast. Sloppy drafts drag. Editors price for the level of intervention, not the label on the invoice.

If a “copyedit” turns into heavy rewriting of clunky sentences, the work starts to look like a line edit. If structure wobbles, a developmental pass becomes the right call. Expect the quote to reflect the true need.

Want to lower the scope? Do one focused pass before you seek quotes. Fix name inconsistencies. Run a spell check. Trim repetition. Mark your decisions in a simple style sheet. Those steps buy you a lighter edit.

Genre and expectations

Genres carry different workloads. Romance demands attention to beats and reader payoff. Literary prose rewards slow, careful line work. Memoir often needs sensitivity and ethical care. Technical nonfiction needs accuracy, source checks, and consistent terminology.

An editor steeped in your genre will spot issues faster and guide choices that match reader expectations. That expertise often sits at a higher price point, and it saves you revision cycles.

Schedule pressures

Rush costs more. A tight turnaround bumps other clients or late nights, which leads to a premium. Expect a 20 to 50 percent increase for urgent timelines.

Do the math. A $1,600 copyedit with a 30 percent rush becomes $2,080. A $4,000 developmental edit with a 40 percent rush becomes $5,600.

If your date is flexible, say so. Many editors reward early booking or gaps in their calendar. Time is a lever. Use it.

Editor experience

Experience changes both rate and outcome. A veteran brings pattern recognition, stable processes, and sharper judgment. The draft improves faster. Fewer surprises. Fewer reversals.

You pay for that. You also pay less in rework. Newer editors often offer lower rates and high effort, which suits some projects. A series launch, a sensitive memoir, or high-stakes nonfiction benefits from a steadier hand.

Ask for a sample edit. You will see approach, not only price.

Formatting and references

Messy files slow everything. Random fonts, manual tabs, double spaces, and tracked changes from five rounds of critique all add time. Clean files save money. Standardize styles. Accept all old changes. Remove stray comments.

References complicate scope. Footnotes, endnotes, citations, figures, tables, glossaries, appendices, and cross-references need checks. Each element adds tasks. Decide on a citation style before the quote. Provide complete sources. Missing data turns an edit into research, and the price follows.

Geography and taxes

Location affects the final bill. Currency conversion, payment platform fees, and taxes all matter. A US editor charging in dollars will bill differently than a UK editor quoting in pounds. VAT or sales tax may apply based on country and service. Wire transfers and international cards add fees.

Clarify payment method and currency before you agree. Small percentages add up on book-length projects.

A quick example set

Two 80,000-word novels land in my inbox.

• Book A is a tight thriller. Clean formatting. Timeline solid. Author has run a careful pass. Quote: light line edit at the lower end of the range, two weeks, no rush.
• Book B is an epic fantasy. Three POVs. Glossary, map, and 300 endnotes with made-up terms. Tone wobbles. Quote: heavy line edit priced toward the top of the range, plus a pre-pass to align terminology. Four weeks, with a style meeting.

Neither quote is arbitrary. The work differs.

How to help your quote

• Lock word count before you request numbers.
• State genre, audience, and comps in one line.
• Share draft status. Structure locked or still in play.
• Note special elements. Footnotes, images, citations, foreign terms.
• Pick standards. Chicago Manual of Style, plus Merriam-Webster or Oxford.
• Set a real timeline. Pad for revision on your side.

Good inputs cut fluff from the scope. Editors price what you hand over. Give them clarity, and you get a fair number.

Typical ranges and quick cost math

Numbers calm the nerves. Editing quotes follow simple math. Rate times word count equals price. Level of edit sets the rate.

Per-word ranges, decoded

Per-word pricing rules the book world. Here are common ballparks.

• Developmental editing: $0.03 to $0.09 per word
• Line or stylistic editing: $0.02 to $0.06 per word
• Copyediting: $0.015 to $0.04 per word
• Proofreading: $0.005 to $0.02 per word

Lower ends fit clean prose, simple structure, and minimal queries. Upper ends fit heavy intervention, dense material, or projects with many moving parts. A clean romance often sits lower. A scholarly history with notes and charts sits higher. Same math, different hours.

Quick calculator you can run today

• Find your real word count. Include front and back matter if you want those edited.
• Pick the level you need. Structure, sentences, or surface.
• Choose a point in the range based on complexity.
• Multiply rate by word count.

Examples for an 80,000-word manuscript:

• Copyedit at $0.02 per word equals $1,600.
• Line edit at $0.04 per word equals $3,200.
• Developmental at $0.05 per word equals $4,000.
• Proofread at $0.01 per word equals $800.

Try a different size:

• 60,000 words, line edit at $0.03 per word equals $1,800.
• 100,000 words, copyedit at $0.025 per word equals $2,500.

You now have a ballpark in two minutes.

Hourly quotes, without the mystery

Some editors price by the hour. Benchmarks often land between $40 and $100 per hour, sometimes higher for niche expertise. Ask for estimated hours and a not-to-exceed cap.

Here is how to read an hourly quote:

• 50 hours at $60 per hour equals $3,000.
• 80 hours at $75 per hour equals $6,000.
• Add a buffer if scope might grow.

If you receive both hourly and per-word options, convert one to the other. A $3,000 quote on a 75,000-word book equals $0.04 per word. Now you can compare.

Per-page pricing, translated

Per-page quotes use a standard page of 250 words. Confirm this base. Then convert to per-word for clarity.

• $3 per page equals $3 divided by 250, which equals $0.012 per word.
• $10 per page equals $10 divided by 250, which equals $0.04 per word.

If someone quotes by your manuscript’s current pages, ask for a word-count basis instead. Fonts and spacing lie. Word counts do not.

Light versus heavy within one level

Scope shifts inside a level. A light copyedit focuses on grammar, usage, and consistency. A heavy copyedit wades into choppy sentences and unclear logic, which nudges the work toward a line edit. Rates follow the workload.

A quick test you can try:

• Open a random chapter.
• Count fixes in ten lines. Spelling, punctuation, and agreement go in one column. Rewrites for clarity go in another.
• More in column two points to the upper half of the range.

Full pathway planning

Many books move macro to micro across passes. Price each step, then sum.

A sample for 80,000 words:

• Manuscript assessment at $0.015 per word equals $1,200. Short letter, big-picture notes.
• Line edit at $0.035 per word equals $2,800.
• Copyedit at $0.02 per word equals $1,600.
• Proofread at $0.008 per word equals $640.

Total equals $6,240. Trim or expand based on goals. You might swap the assessment for a full developmental edit, which raises the total. You might merge line and copy if the prose is strong, which lowers the total.

Rush fees and other modifiers

Speed costs money. Many editors add 20 to 50 percent for rush work. Apply a multiplier to your math.

• A $3,200 line edit with a 30 percent rush becomes $4,160.
• An $800 proofread with a 25 percent rush becomes $1,000.

Complexity also moves the needle. Heavy fact checks, endnotes, figures, and foreign terms push rates toward the top end. Clean files and a clear style sheet pull them down.

Sanity checks before you say yes

• Match level to need. No copyedit before structure settles.
• Confirm deliverables. Tracked changes, style sheet, margin notes, and any letter.
• Lock the word count for pricing. Large growth triggers a re-quote.
• Ask for one small sample. Five pages often reveal fit and scope.

Money likes clarity. Your quote will too.

How to get accurate quotes and compare proposals

Quotes get sharper when you supply the right pages and ask precise questions. A good editor prices time. Your job is to help them see the real work.

Send a real sample

Offer 1 to 5 pages for a sample edit. Pick pages that reflect the book, not a polished prologue. Include:

• A scene with dialogue and action.
• A dense paragraph with interior thought.
• One tricky section. A timeline knot, a technical explanation, or a worldbuilding paragraph.

Label the sample with chapter number and word count. If the book has multiple voices, include each. This shows fit, level of edit, and where the effort sits.

What to look for in the sample edit:

• Do the edits respect your voice?
• Are comments clear and specific?
• Are there questions that reveal sharp reading, not nitpicking?
• Do suggestions fix the problem, or move it around?

Trust your gut. If the sample reads like your book, only cleaner and clearer, you are close.

Give the facts up front

Editors price scope, not hope. Share the basics in one note.

• Total word count, including any front or back matter you want edited.
• Genre and audience. Thriller for adults, middle grade fantasy, business nonfiction.
• Your goal. Querying agents, self-publishing on a date, or preparing a second edition.
• Stage of draft. First full pass, revised after beta reads, or structure locked.
• Earlier work done. Assessment, sensitivity read, or copyedit on a previous version.
• Timeline. Desired start date and delivery window.

Clarity here removes guesswork. Guesswork inflates quotes.

Ask for apples-to-apples

Proposals vary wildly. Standardize them.

• Level of edit. Developmental, line, copyedit, or proofread.
• Pricing basis. Per word, per hour with an estimate and a cap, per page at 250 words, or flat fee tied to your word count.
• Deliverables. Tracked changes, margin comments, style sheet, and an editorial letter if relevant.
• Number of passes. One pass, or a second light check after you accept changes.
• Follow-up. Email support for two weeks, a 30-minute call, or a quick recheck of revised pages.

Do a quick conversion for fairness. A $2,800 flat fee on 70,000 words equals 4 cents per word. Now each proposal sits on the same shelf.

Set the standards

Editing follows rules. Name yours in advance.

• Style guide. Chicago Manual of Style for most trade books.
• Dictionary. Merriam-Webster or Oxford, pick one.
• Language variety. US, UK, or another standard.
• House terms or glossary. Names, place spellings, series quirks, and any forbidden words.

Send a starter style sheet if you have one. Even a simple list helps. Think character names, hyphen preferences, capitalization choices, and terms of art.

Confirm schedule and communication

Time matters as much as money. Pin this down.

• Start date and delivery windows for each pass.
• Weekend or evening work, if allowed or not.
• Rush fees. Many editors add 20 to 50 percent for squeezed timelines.
• How you will communicate. Email, comments in Word, or a short call at milestones.
• Response times. Typical turnarounds for questions during the edit.

Good process saves dollars. Missed handoffs waste them.

Judge value, not hype

Price matters. Value wins. Review:

• Testimonials and portfolio samples in your genre.
• Clarity of the proposal. Plain language signals clear thinking.
• How they frame problems in the sample edit. Do they go to root cause?
• Fit with your goals. A brisk, commercial voice for a thriller. A sensitive ear for memoir.
• Professional hygiene. File naming, version control, and an organized style sheet.

One more test. Ask one pointed question about a scene or argument. A strong editor explains tradeoffs and offers options, not vague praise.

A quick checklist

Before you approve a quote, tick these boxes.

• Scope, level, and word count match your current draft.
• Rate and pricing model stated, with conversions where needed.
• Deliverables listed, including number of passes and follow-up.
• Standards set. Style guide, dictionary, and language variety.
• Schedule and rush terms confirmed.
• Sample edit reviewed, with comments that make sense to you.
• Terms of payment and kill fee spelled out.

Red flags to watch

• A quote given without seeing pages.
• A promise to handle all levels in one fast pass.
• No mention of a style sheet.
• No sample or references offered.
• Slippery timelines or vague deliverables.
• Heavy rewriting without a note on voice.

Walk away if the proposal hides the work. Editing thrives on daylight.

A simple inquiry email

Subject: Quote request for 82,000-word fantasy, line edit

Hello [Name],

I am seeking a line edit for a completed fantasy novel, 82,000 words. Audience is adult. Structure is locked after two revision passes. Goal is self-publishing in August.

I have attached 5 pages from the middle, with dialogue and action, plus one page of worldbuilding. I would value a short sample edit to confirm level and fit.

Please share:

• Your rate and pricing model.
• What the edit includes, such as tracked changes, margin comments, a style sheet, and any editorial letter.
• Number of passes and follow-up support.
• Start date, turnaround, and any rush fees.
• Your preferred style guide and dictionary. I use CMOS and Merriam-Webster. US English.

Thank you,

[Your Name]

Send a clear brief, read the sample with care, and line up the numbers. The right proposal will stand out.

Budget strategies without sacrificing quality

You want a strong edit without draining the savings. Good news. Smart prep, clear scope, and staged work lower the bill and raise the quality.

Self-edit first

Every fix you handle before hiring trims hours. Try three quick passes.

1. Structural pass

   • Write a one-page synopsis. Then outline chapters in one line each.
   • Mark slow chapters or scenes that repeat a beat.
   • Note timeline slips and character arcs that stall.
   • Cut or merge weak scenes. Move setup earlier if readers need it to follow the plot.

2. Line pass

   • Read aloud. Stumbles mark clutter. Tighten there.
   • Replace vague verbs with specific action.
   • Cut double saying. If dialogue shows a point, the following explanation goes.
   • Search and prune filter phrases. Seemed, began to, started to, noticed, felt, realized.
   • Kill filler tags. Quite, somewhat, rather. They do little work.

3. Copy pass

   • Standardize quotes, dashes, ellipses, and numerals.
   • Fix possessives and hyphenation patterns. Pick a form and stick to it.
   • Build a style sheet. Character names, places, hyphen choices, capitalization rules, series terms, and tricky spellings.

Trimmed word count equals direct savings. At 2 cents per word, cutting 8,000 words saves $160. At 4 cents, $320.

Pick the right level

Do not pay for a pristine copyedit if structure still shifts. Lock big-picture decisions first. Unsure whether you need full developmental support? A manuscript assessment gives a read-through and an editorial letter at a lower price point. Use that to target revisions. Then book line or copy work.

Two quick guides:

• If scenes move, stakes rise, and the timeline holds, move to line or copy.
• If readers still ask why the story matters, or where the argument goes, step back to structural help.

Pilot work before the full contract

Run a trial with the first chapter or 10,000 words. You see voice fit and edit depth. The editor learns your patterns and sets a realistic rate.

Example:

• 10,000 words at 4 cents per word costs $400.
• You receive a style sheet, tracked changes, and notes.
• You revise a second chapter using the approach. Scope becomes visible, no guesswork.

If the sample feels off, you exit after a small spend rather than a full fee.

Negotiate scope

Money follows scope. Shape it.

• Light vs heavy copyedit. Light focuses on usage, punctuation, and consistency. Heavy adds sentence-level recasts and rhythm work. Pick the smallest level that meets your goal.
• Cap hours. Ask for an estimate with a not-to-exceed number. Request a check-in at 50 percent of the cap.
• Milestones. Break delivery into thirds. Pay by milestone. Adjust scope if the first third runs hot.
• Flexible timing. Offer a wider window. Many editors price lower for dates that fit their pipeline.

Sample language to borrow:

• “I’m seeking a light copyedit focused on consistency and grammar, with minimal recasting.”
• “Please set an 18-hour cap and check in at hour nine with progress and sample pages.”
• “I can deliver the manuscript on May 15. A four-week window works.”

Mix resources wisely

Use your village, then hire the pro for the stage that needs expert judgment.

• Beta readers for story logic, character, pacing, and genre expectations. Give a short brief and a deadline. Ask five sharp questions. Example, where did you skim, where did you feel lost, who felt flat, where did tension sag, which scene stayed with you.
• Sensitivity readers for lived-experience checks. Book them early enough to fold changes into structure.
• Proofreader at the end. Fresh eyes on the layout proofs catch the stragglers.

Do not ask unpaid readers for a full line edit. That work requires training and time. Use them for signals, then pass the baton.

Seek savings ethically

Smart savings exist outside the manuscript.

• Off-peak scheduling. Quiet months, longer lead times, or midweek start dates often earn friendlier quotes.
• Bundling. Book two stages with one editor. Reduced admin time often means a better rate.
• Emerging editors with mentorship. Look for trainees linked to professional orgs, paired with a senior reviewer for spot checks.
• Grants and funds. Regional arts councils, genre foundations, or university programs support editing for certain projects.
• Business deductions. If writing sits under a registered business, editing fees often classify as expenses. Save invoices and contracts.

Spread the spend

Plan the pathway across months. One month for assessment. Two for revision. One for line work. One for copy. One for proofs. Payments spread with milestones keep cash flow steady and stress low.

A quick pre-edit checklist

Before you seek quotes, complete this short list.

• Word count trimmed where possible.
• Style sheet started. Names, places, glossary, hyphen rules.
• Structure confirmed, or you have notes on open questions.
• Beta feedback sorted into keep, revise, and ignore piles.
• A realistic start date and deadline set.

Strong inputs lead to lean quotes. Fewer surprises. Better pages. And money left for the launch.

Contracts, scope control, and payment terms

A handshake deal sounds friendly until scope creeps or deadlines slip. Put the basics in writing. You protect both sides and avoid the awkward money conversations later.

Essential contract elements

Start with the concrete details. Vague language breeds expensive surprises.

Scope of work

Define the editing level precisely. "Light copyedit focusing on grammar, punctuation, and consistency. No sentence restructuring or substantial cuts." Or "developmental edit addressing plot structure, character arcs, and pacing. No line-level changes." Specificity prevents the dreaded scope drift.

Word count locked for pricing

Fix the manuscript length at contract signing. An 80,000-word novel quoted at 3 cents per word costs $2,400. If you add 15,000 words mid-project, the bill jumps to $2,850 without warning. Lock the count. Agree that changes above 10 percent trigger a new quote.

Deliverables spelled out

List what you receive. Tracked changes in Word, margin comments, a style sheet, an editorial letter. How many revision rounds? Does the editor review your changes? Be specific. "One round of edits with tracked changes, plus a 30-minute phone call to discuss major points."

Timeline with deadlines

Set start date, draft delivery, and final deadline. Include buffer time. If the editor needs three weeks but you book four, small delays stay manageable. Rush jobs cost extra and stress everyone.

Managing change orders

Projects evolve. Plan for it without bleeding money.

Version control

Number your drafts. "Final_v3" becomes "Final_v4" when you make changes. The editor works from the agreed version. New versions mean new quotes if the changes run deep.

Word count triggers

Agree upfront that manuscript growth above 10 percent resets the pricing. Minor additions under that threshold get absorbed. Major rewrites get priced separately.

Example language: "Word count increases above 10 percent of the original 75,000 words (7,500+ additional words) will be quoted as additional work at the same per-word rate."

Change request process

Set a simple system. Email the proposed change. Get written approval of any cost impact before proceeding. Prevents surprise bills and keeps everyone informed.

Payment structure that works

Front-load enough to secure the editor's time. Back-load enough to ensure completion.

Deposit range

Most editors ask for 25 to 50 percent upfront. Higher deposits work for established professionals with strong portfolios. New relationships might start smaller.

Milestone payments

Split large projects into chunks. 50 percent at signing, 50 percent at delivery. Or thirds: signing, halfway review, completion. Milestone splits keep cash flow steady and work progressing.

Payment methods

Clarify accepted forms early. PayPal, bank transfer, checks, or payment platforms like Wise. International transfers carry fees. Factor those costs into your budget and confirm who pays them.

Late payment terms

Professional contracts include late fees. Usually 1.5 percent per month on overdue balances. Reasonable protection for the editor's cash flow.

Taxes and fees upfront

Nothing ruins a project relationship like surprise charges at invoice time.

VAT and sales tax

EU and UK editors add VAT to invoices for certain clients. US editors in some states charge sales tax. Ask during the quote process. Budget for the full amount.

Payment processing fees

PayPal charges roughly 3 percent. Wise charges currency conversion fees. Confirm who absorbs these costs before signing.

Rights and credit terms

Simple language prevents confusion later.

Copyright ownership

You retain full rights to your work. The editor provides services but gains no ownership interest in your book. Standard language: "Client retains all rights, title, and interest in the Work."

Confidentiality

Most professional editors keep projects private. If your work needs extra protection, request a signed NDA. Especially important for memoir or business books with sensitive content.

Testimonials and portfolio use

Editors build reputations through client success. Many contracts include a clause allowing the editor to request a testimonial or list your book in their portfolio. You control approval but consider the mutual benefit.

File and delivery standards

Technical details prevent last-minute scrambles.

File format requirements

Microsoft Word with Track Changes remains the standard. Google Docs works for some editors but confirm compatibility first. Scrivener users export to Word before submission.

Style sheet ownership

The editor creates a style sheet during the project. You keep it. Essential for future editing rounds or when working with different professionals later.

Delivery format

Specify clean and tracked versions. The tracked version shows all changes and comments. The clean version incorporates accepted changes for easier reading. Both have value.

Handover process

Good editors provide transition support. A short call or written memo explaining major changes, style decisions, and any follow-up recommendations. Budget 30 to 60 minutes for this step.

Protection clauses

Handle the uncomfortable scenarios upfront.

Kill fee terms

If you cancel mid-project, the editor keeps a portion of payment for work completed. Usually pro-rated based on percentage finished. Fair protection for both parties.

Refund policy

Define what triggers a refund. Missed deadlines by the editor, failure to deliver agreed services, or mutual agreement to terminate. Full refunds rare after work begins, but partial refunds based on work completed stay reasonable.

Dispute resolution

Include a simple process. Direct discussion first, then mediation if needed. Most professional relationships resolve issues through communication, but the framework helps.

A contract template starter

Here's basic language to adapt:

"Editor will provide [level of edit] for [word count] manuscript titled [title]. Services include tracked changes, margin comments, and style sheet. Delivery within [timeframe] of receiving approved manuscript. Fee: [amount] payable [payment schedule]. Client retains all rights. Editor may request testimonial upon completion."

Keep contracts simple but complete. Both parties understand expectations. The project runs smoother. The relationship stays professional. And you avoid the late-night texts about scope and payment that torpedo good working relationships.

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