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When it comes to making your book perfect, hiring an editing service for self publishers is crucial. You don’t want to put your book on the market and begin promoting it only to get bad reviews because your book has a ton of errors. When you are so immersed in a project, often it’s hard to see things, like run-on sentences, get-away ramblings that don’t stop, and spelling and grammar errors. That’s why finding a good editor is worth its weight in gold.
But how do you know what to look for in an editing service if you’ve never hired one before?
Thatâs a tough question! And it can be especially stressful when youâre just starting out as an author. But donât worry, I’m here to help! In today’s post, we will go over what a book editor does, what to look for in a book editing service, what to expect in terms of fees, and where to look to find the best, most affordable editing services.
Stick around until the end, and I will give you a top 10 list of places on the web where you can find professional book editing services.
What exactly does a book editor do?
A book editor is a professional who is responsible for reviewing manuscripts for publication, as well as for correcting grammar, spelling, and other mistakes. They may also help to create a structure and tone for your work, and to find any inconsistencies.
What are the main types of book editing?
In general, there are 4 types of book editing services.
- Line Editing – Line editing takes a look at the style, clarity, and effectiveness of the language used, line by line. It focuses on higher level areas like the pace of your words, the logical flow of your message, your characters, character conversation and tone.
- Copy Editing – Copy editing looks at issues within the grammar, language, and inconsistencies of style or the word use.
- Proofreading – Proofreading is usually the last step in the editing process, and consists of ensuring that texts are free of errors and that they conform to the style guide or other specification expected of them.
- Developmental Editing – Developmental book editing is a process of editing a book that is still in development. This means that the book has not yet been finalized and may still contain changes or updates.
Do Self Publishers Use Editors?
Short answer……yes! Editors can be a valuable asset to self publishers. In general, most self publishers do use editors to help them proofread, edit, and improve their manuscripts.
Editors can help self publishers improve their manuscripts by spotting errors, suggesting changes, and helping to ensure that the text is consistent and error-free. They can also help to ensure that the text is well-written and engaging, and that your message is communicated effectively.
How much does an editor cost for self publishing?
The cost of editing a book varies from project to project. Some book editors charge by the page. You can expect to pay between $5 to $15 per page. Some editors charge by the word. A good average for charge by word editorial service rates is approximately $. 06 per word.
It’s crucial that you check how the editor you choose sets their prices so it is clear up front on what the cost will be before you get started. Having a written contract that both you and the editor sign and date is always a good idea.
Can I Edit My Own Self Publisher Book?
Yes, you can edit your own self published book! However, there are a few things to keep in mind when editing your book.
First and foremost, make sure that all of the grammar, punctuation, and spelling are correct. This will help ensure that your book looks professional.
Another thing to keep in mind when editing your book is to make sure that all the content is relevant and makes sense. This will help make your book more interesting and engaging for readers.
Finally, make sure that the overall tone of your book is positive and encouraging. This will help encourage readers to take action and follow your advice.
How long does it take an editor to edit a book?
It usually takes an editor anywhere from 1-3 months to edit a book. This time is based on the bookâs length, complexity, and the editorâs experience.
What To Look For In An Editor
When you are looking for an editor, there are a few things to consider.
First, you will want to find someone who is experienced and qualified. An editor who is not experienced can cause major problems with your manuscript, and an editor who is not qualified may not be able to correctly edit your work.
Next, you will want to find someone who is friendly and easy to work with. It is important to have a positive relationship with your editor, as they will be working closely with you on your manuscript.
Finally, you will want to find someone who is affordable. Editors are not cheap, so you want to make sure you are getting good value for your money.
Some qualities to look for in an editor include:
- Experience working within your given genre (fiction, nonfiction, creative, poetry)
- Aligns with your tone and writing style
- Can work within your required timeline
- Affordable and fits within your self publishing project budget
- Has references who you can talk to in person or over the phone
- Has professional knowledge of basic spelling and grammar
- Speaks your native language (or the native language the book is written in)
- Can provide samples of their work.
- Will provide a sample edit for you either for free or for a small fee. (This will give you a better idea if they can, in fact, improve your book, keep your writing voice, and work well with you.)
10 Websites To Find Affordable and Professional Book Editing Services
Reedsy
Reedsy is a great online resource for book editors. They offer a variety of resources, including a blog, to help editors learn about book editing and how to become better editors themselves. They also offer a variety of services, including book editing, proofreading, and copy editing. If you’re interested in becoming a better book editor for your own manuscripts or getting your book edited by a professional, be sure to check out Reedsy..
Reedsy describes themselves as as a full ecosystem for authors and publishing professionals.
You can read more about Reedsy here.
Ebook Launch
The editing team over at eBook Launch offers high quality editing services with professional standards at an affordable cost. They have been in business since 2011, and strive to be the top in their industry. They offer line editing, copy editing, proofreading, as well as book cover design and book formatting services. They offer samples, so you can try before you buy to be sure their editing services fit your needs. To get a free book editing quote, go here.
ServiceScape
SeviceScape is a website where you can connect with professional editors. It’s a professional service marketplace, and they state their editors are talented, experienced, and passionate about their work. Each of their editors are rated and reviewed on the site for you to see, and you can even select an editor who specialized in your specific genre or subject matter. Editors work with you every step of the way and ensure your work is ready for publishing. ServiceScape scrutinizes your manuscript for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and more. They also check your manuscript for any visible inconsistencies in things like tone, repetition, and storyline. You can read more on how it works and find your ServiceScape book editor here.
Scribendi
Scribendi is a book editing service that helps authors get their books edited and ready for publication. The service offers editing, formatting, and proofreading services, as well as cover design and book marketing assistance. Scribendi partners with top publishing houses, so authors can be confident that their books will be well-edited and ready for publication. According to their website, they offer the following services:
- Line by line editing of your manuscript to boost clarity and flow while maintaining your authorial voice, creating a stronger, much improved ebook
- Corrections of spelling, grammar, and typographical errors
- Tracked revisions so you can see and review all the changes, giving you complete creative control
- Suggestions to reinforce style, tone, word choice, and phrase structure
- Extensive critical commentary
- Identification of weak points and other issues that may be improved
- A short summary of the work that has been done and any major concerns
To find our more about the self publisher’s options for book editing with Scribendi, go here.
Cambridge Proofreading and Editing
With over 300+ editors with expertise in a variety of academic disciplines, Cambridge can assign your manuscript to their vast pool of subject-matter experts. With years of experience, their team can help you proofread and edit your manuscript to ensure that it is error-free and meets all the requirements of a quality publication. They offer a variety of services to ensure that your document is ready for publishing, including grammar and punctuation checking, spell checking, and copyediting. In addition, they will provide you with a comprehensive report detailing all the errors and suggestions for improvement that they find. You can read more about Cambridge’s Proofreading and Editing book services here.
FirstEditing
FirstEditing offers comprehensive online editing services that include proofreading, plagiarism detection and content editing. Their team of experienced editors has the expertise to help you get your content edited quickly and efficiently, ensuring that it is free of errors and meets all the requirements of your audience.
Some of the services they provide include:
- Proofreading: Proofreading services help you ensure that your content is error-free and meets the high standards demanded by your audience.
- Plagiarism detection: Plagiarism detection services help you ensure that your content is original and does not contain any plagiarized content.
- Content editing: Content editing services make sure your content is well-organized and flows smoothly. You want readers to be able to quickly and easily understand what you are saying.
- Factual editing: Make sure your content is accurate and factual. If your content includes information that is incorrect, this can damage your reputation and credibility.
You can read more about the editing services FirstEditing offers here.
Book Editing Associates
Book Editing Associates offers a variety of services to help authors improve their manuscripts. They help with copyediting, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. They also offer a consultation service to help authors understand the process of book publishing and how to improve their manuscript.
BEA is a matchmaking service for writers and editors, and they only choose editors who are experienced professionals. To learn more about the services Book Editing Services offer, go here.
Upwork
Upwork connects businesses with independent professionals and agencies around the globe, including book editors. All you need to do is to search for âbook editorâ in their search bar, and you will be able to find a variety of book editors who can help you with your project.
One of the benefits of using Upwork is that you can find an editor who is exactly the right fit for your project. You can find editors who have experience editing books, who have a strong knowledge of grammar and punctuation, and who are familiar with book publishing standards.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a website where people can offer their services for $5 or for a cost they determine. This means that you can find a book editor for less than most other services.
There are a lot of different book editors on Fiverr. You can find an editor who is experienced in editing manuscripts of all types, from fiction to non-fiction. You can also find an editor who is specializes in a certain genre, such as romance or mystery.
Simply go to Fiverr, type in “book editor”, and look for editors with good reviews. You can check out Fiverr here.
BookBaby
Bookbaby is a book editing and publishing service that helps authors to get their manuscripts edited and formatted for publication. Bookbaby offers a range of services, including book editing, book formatting, and book design.
Their editors have a wealth of experience in the publishing industry, and are able to help authors to polish their manuscripts to perfection. They will help to streamline the process of getting your book published, and ensure that your book is of the highest quality.
Bookbaby offers many different services, so whether you need help editing your manuscript, formatting it for publication, or just want a fresh look at your book, Bookbaby can help. Check out Bookbaby editing services here.
Conclusion
When youâre thinking about who to choose as your book editor, itâs important to consider a few key things. How much do they charge? What kind of editing do they do? Do they work with self publishers? Do they have references or other work you can look at before making a commitment?
Either way, choosing an editor has never been easier with online services like the ones listed in this post. Let me know in the comments below if you have used any of these services, and how your experience has been with them. Also, let me know if you have any recommendations for any other reputable self publishing editing services.