How Much Does Line Editing Cost for Books?
- Iris Marsh
- 26 mei
- 9 minuten om te lezen
Bijgewerkt op: 4 dagen geleden
Table of Contents
When I was pricing out editing for my first book, the numbers made my stomach drop.
Now, years later as both an editor and author, I know exactly what’s worth paying for, and what’s not. You can read more about my background here.
If you’ve looked into editing services, you’ve probably noticed that line editing is right up there with developmental editing in terms of price.
For an average 80,000-word novel, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,800 and $5,200 for a professional line edit.
That’s a big range, right? And if you’re self-publishing or budgeting for your first book, it might even feel overwhelming.
In this post, I’ll break down:
why line editing costs what it does
what factors influence pricing
how you can prepare your manuscript to lower costs
and some budget-friendly alternatives if a full line edit feels out of reach.
As both a writer and an editor, I get it from both sides. You want your book to sing, but you also need to be realistic with your resources.
I’ve helped dozens of authors elevate their writing to a professional standard, and I know where the investment really counts. Want to know what makes the biggest impact?
Find the editor who understands your voice, story intention, and genre.
So let’s look at what you’re really paying for. And how to make sure it’s worth every penny.
How Much Does Line Editing Cost?
As mentioned above, line editing typically costs between $1,800 and $5,200 for an 80,000-word book. That’s based on the most recent rate guidelines from the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA, 2025), which many (US-based) editors use as a benchmark.
Want to check what a fair rate would be for your manuscript? You can go here to use a calculator tool for your price range. Or keep reading to understand what influences that pricing, and how to potentially lower your costs.
What Affects the Cost of a Line Edit?
When I first started editing professionally, I thought I could quote a project based purely on word count. After all, 80,000 words are 80,000 words, right?
But I quickly learned that a manuscript’s readiness matters just as much as its length. Despite all the training I had, I underestimated how much extra work was hiding in unedited drafts—and it led to some awkwardly off-base quotes.
Now, after more than 5 years of editing, I can usually tell within a few pages whether a manuscript has been through multiple rounds of revision or if it’s still in rough shape. I always offer authors the option to revise first if it’ll save them money. And often, it does.
Because I want you to get the most value for your editing budget, let’s look at what actually affects line editing costs and how you can use that insight to lower your quote.
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How editors set their rates
Most editors either charge per word or per hour. Here’s the difference:
Per-word rates give you clear upfront pricing. However, you might end up overpaying if your manuscript is already pretty clean.
Hourly rates can be more flexible but depend on how quickly the editor works and how much editing your manuscript needs.
The condition of your manuscript
I’m often reminded of a saying from my days in research: “Garbage in, garbage out.”
You could run the fanciest statistical models and dress them up with polished graphs, but if the underlying data were flawed, the outcome would still be meaningless.
The same principle applies to line editing. If your draft is still messy, unfocused, or flat, even the best editor can only do so much. They’ll improve it, yes—but they can’t transform something that hasn’t yet found its shape.
So I always recommend doing a solid round of self-editing for your line writing before reaching out. It doesn’t just save you money, it also leads to a sharper, more emotionally resonant final draft.
The editor’s experience
More experienced editors usually charge more, and for good reason. They’ve spent years honing their craft, often through hands-on work, training, and industry certifications.
For instance, I’ve edited over 70 manuscripts in genres ranging from epic fantasy to self-help mental health, have taken continued courses to update my skills, and am a member of two editorial organizations.
The kind of investment shows up in the work: not just in clean prose, but in helping you communicate your story with clarity, confidence, and impact.
That said, a newer editor with less experience might offer lower rates while still delivering great quality. Just be sure to ask for a sample edit so you can judge their work.
What I Wish More Authors Knew
I wish more authors knew that I want to help them save money, not just edit their manuscripts. If your draft still needs work, I’ll tell you that gently and honestly.
Some of my favorite clients have taken my sample edit feedback, done another round of revision, and come back stronger. And they’ve ended up paying less because of it.
Editing isn’t about gatekeeping or critique. It’s about helping you tell the best version of your story.
Word count and genre
Longer manuscripts naturally cost more—more words mean more time.
Genre also plays a role. Some genres are more complex to edit (think academic or literary fiction) than others (like commercial fiction or memoir). While you can’t change what you write, you can make sure your manuscript is as clean as possible to keep costs down.
Average Line Editing Rates (Fiction vs. Nonfiction)
Let’s break it down by editing type and payment model.
Fiction
First, we’ll look at the rates for fiction line editing.
Rates per word:
$0.025–$0.04 per word.
For an 80,000-word novel: $2,000–$3,200.
Rates per hour:
$45–$60 per hour.
Editors typically edit 1,250–2,000 words per hour.
Estimated range for 80,000 words: $1,800–$3,840.
Nonfiction (Popular/general audience)
These editing rates apply to mainstream nonfiction like self-help, memoir, or general interest—not technical, academic, or legal texts.
Rates per word:
$0.03–$0.05 per word.
For an 80,000-word book: $2,400–$4,000.
Rates per hour:
$50–$65 per hour.
Editors typically edit 1,000–2,000 words per hour.
Estimated range for 80,000 words: $2,000–$5,200.
What This Could Look Like for Your Book
Let’s say you’ve written a 75,000-word cozy mystery and you’re requesting a line edit. The manuscript is fairly clean, but it’s your first book, so there are some “told” passages, pacing issues, and dialogue that needs tightening.
If your editor charges $0.03 per word, you’re looking at $2,250.
But here’s the kicker: say you do another round of self-editing first (like trimming filler phrases and filter words, cleaning up grammar, and improving pacing), your editor might revise that quote to $0.025 per word instead.
That’s $1,875—a $375 difference from just a few hours of DIY cleanup.
Getting a sample edit or quote doesn’t lock you in. It gives you insight on where to improve and how to budget smarter.
Line Editing Cost Calculator
Use the calculator below to get a realistic estimate for hiring a line editor for your book (based on EFA rates).
Alternatives to Line Editing (If It’s Out of Budget)
I get it—dropping $2,000+ on editing isn’t doable for everyone, especially if you’re self-publishing on a shoestring budget.
That was me when I started. I couldn’t afford professional editing for my early novels, so I taught myself—reading craft books, taking online courses, and trial-and-erroring my way through revisions. That learning curve eventually turned into my editing career.
Along the way, I also tested almost every tool and budget-friendly option I could find.
So if you’re not ready to invest in a full line edit just yet, here are the practical, real-world alternatives I recommend most.
1. Get a Partial Line Edit
If you have the funds for a smaller investment, ask your editor if they offer partial line edits—for example, just the first 10,000 words.
You can apply the edits and principles you learn from that partial edit across the rest of your manuscript.
2. Combine Line and Copyediting
Some editors offer combo packages—like a line and copyedit in one round. This can be more affordable than hiring separately and ensures:
your prose flows well (line editing)
your grammar, punctuation, and consistency are on point (copyediting).
It’s a win-win for style and clarity.
3. Done-With-You Editing Services
Just like a manuscript critique is a budget version of a developmental edit, some editors offer “done-with-you” line editing options.
For example, I offer a line writing assessment, where I line edit a small portion of your manuscript and give you detailed, actionable guidance to help you self-edit the rest.
Ask your editor if they have something similar!
4. Educate Yourself on Line Editing
Self-editing is a skill you can develop, especially if hiring a pro isn’t possible right now:
Read books on line editing.
Take online courses or workshops.
Analyze line-edited samples or your favorite novels to study sentence rhythm, voice, and clarity.
Keep in mind: it’s harder to edit your own work because you’re so close to it. Taking a break between drafting and editing can give you just enough distance to see things more clearly.
5. Use Editing Software as Support
While no tool can fully replace a human editor, they can help you catch issues and tighten your writing:
AutoCrit: Edits in real-time and highlights things like filter words, repetition, pacing, and weak sentence structure. I haven’t tried this one yet, so make sure you check reviews to see if it fits your needs.
Hemingway App: Great for readability. It flags adverbs, passive voice, and hard-to-read sentences.
Custom ChatGPT: You can train your own GPT on your writing style and use it to suggest edits. Just like with a human editor, always review the suggestions before applying them. Don’t blindly accept every change.
If I could only recommend one tool for authors who can’t afford a full line edit, it would be the Line Writing Assessment, my done-with-you service.
It gives you the best of both worlds: professional feedback on a key section of your manuscript, plus hands-on guidance so you can apply those lessons to the rest of your book.
Instead of trying to piece together advice from forums or editing books, you get targeted support tailored to your voice, your genre, and your specific writing habits. That means you’re not just improving one chapter—you’re leveling up your craft for the long haul.
Ready to Hire a Line Editor?
If you’ve saved up and feel good about investing in a line edit—yay! That’s a huge step toward revising your book and getting it ready for the world.
Before you reach out, keep in mind that most editors book projects weeks or even months in advance. So, plan ahead! Either:
contact your editor early so they can reserve a spot for you
be flexible with your timeline and allow a little buffer for when your edited manuscript comes back.
What to Look for in a Line Editor
Here are a few tips to help you find the right fit:
Genre experience matters: Make sure the editor is familiar with your genre. Each genre has its own style conventions—like how lyrical or concise the prose tends to be. (Fantasy vs. thriller? Totally different vibe.)
Always ask for a sample edit: Line editing is subjective. Two editors might suggest completely different changes. A sample helps you see how their editing style aligns with your vision and whether their feedback resonates with you.
Clarify the deliverables: Before you sign anything, make sure you know exactly what you’ll get:
Will you receive an edit letter or summary of changes?
Do they offer a follow-up call or email support for questions?
Will they provide a style sheet?
Is post-edit communication time-limited?
Understand what “estimate” really means: If the editor gives you a pricing estimate, ask how they handle going over the expected hours. Some will charge more if it takes longer (and keep you updated), while others—like me!—won’t increase the price beyond what was quoted.
Remember: good editors are worth their weight in gold. They’re not just fixing sentences; they’re elevating your voice, deepening your connection with readers, and helping your story stand out.
How Long Does a Line Edit Take?
The timeline depends on your manuscript’s length and condition. More words and complexity = more time.
But to give you a ballpark: most line edits take between 4 to 8 weeks.
When you request a sample and quote, your editor will usually include a timeframe with their offer.