How Much Does Developmental Editing Cost? (2025 Guide)
- Iris Marsh
- 23 apr
- 5 minuten om te lezen
If you’re writing your novel (or nonfiction book) and getting serious about making it the best it can be, you’ve likely come across the term developmental editing. But how much does developmental editing cost?
The short answer is: anywhere from $500 to $3500+, depending on the editor, your manuscript’s length and genre, and the level of feedback you need.
That’s a big range, I know—but don’t worry. In this post, I’ll break it all down for you: what influences the cost, what you’re actually paying for, and how you can budget smartly as an indie author.
Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, this guide will help you figure out what to expect and how to prepare.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about developmental editing costs, what influences those prices, and how to plan your budget.
What Is Developmental Editing, Again?
Developmental editing (also called substantive or content editing) is the big-picture edit. It's where your story’s bones—structure, character arcs, pacing, plot, theme, and voice—get evaluated and refined.
It’s not about grammar or spelling; it’s about shaping your manuscript into a compelling, cohesive whole.
It’s often compared to when you build a house. Developmental editing is the foundation. With a strong foundation, all the other “editing” layers work with your foundation to create a strong whole that feels like home.
How Much Does Developmental Editing Cost?
It depends (yes, I know, not very helpful—but bear with me).
Typical Price Ranges
Developmental editing is usually priced in one of three ways:
Per word: $0.03 to $0.073
Per hour: $38 to $65
Per page: $5 to $36.88
These numbers are average ranges based on the current editorial rate chart (2024) from the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).
Example: For an 80,000-word fiction novel, you might pay around $2190–$4000 for a full developmental edit.
Factors That Influence the Cost
A few things can nudge your price up (or down).
1. Length of Your Manuscript
More words mean more reading and feedback, which means more money. Editors often scale their rates based on word count.
I would not recommend writing a shorter novel just to bring down the editing costs. You should write the novel to the length it should be. And you generally can’t write a satisfying epic fantasy story in under 80k words.
2. The Condition of Your Draft
A well-structured draft may take less time to evaluate than a first draft that needs major restructuring.
This is where you can save some money on your developmental edit: by editing it yourself first. Not only will this give you more insight into your novel, it’ll help grow your skills as a writer. The next time you write a first draft, you’ll likely write a cleaner one.
I have several resources to help you with this. You can start here with my free self-editing course, check out my detailed blog posts walking you through the editing steps (starting here with determining your genre for fiction and nonfiction books), or watch my comprehensive video walkthroughs over on YouTube (starting with my First Draft to Finished playlist).
You can also buy my developmental editing workbook to guide you on your way.
Or you can use an web app like Fictionary to help you with your structural edits.
3. Fiction vs. Nonfiction
In general, nonfiction is more expensive than fiction. It does really depend on the type of nonfiction, though. For instance, academic nonfiction is more specialized and technical, which means it’s often a slower process.
General nonfiction, like self-help and memoirs, is a bit more in line with fiction when it comes to editing rates. This is one part of the equation you can’t influence.
4. Editor’s Experience
Rates vary widely depending on the editor’s background, training, and portfolio. Someone newer might charge less; a seasoned pro may charge more, but often brings sharper insight.
So this is where you do have a choice. If you really want to hire a developmental editor but are on a tighter budget, you can pick someone with less experience. They usually charge less, and it won’t mean that they aren’t any good.
But it is often a fact that a more experienced editor offers deeper insights than a newer one.
Would you like some help with your developmental editing? Then this developmental editing planner is the one for you! It contains a checklist followed by detailed information and worksheets to perfect your developmental editing process.
Click the button below to buy on Etsy.
Is It Worth the Investment?
If you’re aiming to publish a professional book—especially if you plan to self-publish—then yes, developmental editing can be game-changing.
It gives you:
stronger character development or argument flow
cohesive themes
confidence that your book works before you spend money on copyediting or formatting.
Developmental editing is often the difference between a “meh” book and one that connects deeply with readers.
However, it’ll also depend on your level of skill as a writer. If you’re a newer writer, a developmental edit will not only bring your book into better shape, but it will teach you new techniques and skills you can bring with you when you write the next book.
But if you’re a more seasoned writer with a good understanding of structure, pacing, character development, and guiding readers through a transformational journey, a manuscript evaluation is often enough.
How to Budget for Developmental Editing
Here’s a quick planning tip:
Set your target publication date.
Work backward: factor in time for revisions, line editing, and proofreading.
Get sample quotes from editors (most will offer a free sample edit so you can decide who is the better fit).
Use the calculator on the EFA website for ballpark figures.
Calculate what you’d need to save in total.
Save monthly or set aside royalties from earlier books to cover your editing investment.
I also offer manuscript evaluations and “next step” assessments as a more affordable alternative—feel free to get in touch if you want to explore options!
If you currently don't have the budget for a developmental edit, have a look at some budget-friendly alternatives here.
Final Thoughts
Editing is where your book becomes the best version of itself. And while the cost of developmental editing might feel steep, it’s also one of the most valuable investments you can make, especially when you’re just starting as an indie author.
Want to know how much you'd need to budget for line editing? Then continue with this post.
Take your time. Ask questions. And find the editor who really gets your voice and vision.