Whether you're writing a blog post, book, or business proposal, an editor can help you reach your intended audience. In addition to proofreading - finding grammatical and spelling errors - a good editor is able to help you create the perfect document in other ways. Take a look at how an editor could help you write better.
A Final Check to Make Sure Everything is Correct: Proofreading
Often writers will use beta readers, writing groups, coworkers, friends, or critique partners to provide feedback and enhance their writing. However, the final step for every document should be professional proofreading.
What will a proofreader do?
Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Check current copy with previous stages to be sure modifications were applied correctly.
Possibly provide some feedback regarding content development or quality.
Check for Readability, Flow, and Clarity: Copy Editing
Copy editors fix typographical errors, but their goal extends beyond simple proofreading to cover the entirety of the writing.
What will a copy editor do?
Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes.
Optimize the layout of the document for easy reading and appearance.
While remaining true to the author's voice, improve the flow and style of the text.
With fiction, look for elements that seem confusing or aren’t consistent with the storyline, plot, character, and so forth.
For nonfiction, fact-checking and ensuring that the scope is accurate and appropriate for the target audience.
The content editing process may overlap with the developmental editing process. Alternatively, the process could be a separate endeavor after the big picture issues have been addressed.
Organization, Evaluation, and Critique: Content Editing
Content editing is the best option for people who need to work on various aspects of their writing. Although it is most useful for fiction writers, it can also be a good fit for any writing project to address items such as pacing, dialog, factual errors, and inconsistencies.
What will a content editor do?
Consider content, organization, and genre from the big picture perspective.
Evaluation of manuscripts to assess whether the content is engaging and of high quality.
Critique focused on the weaknesses of the manuscript and its accuracy for its target audience and subject matter.
Copy or line edits designed to demonstrate effective revisions.
Changes by rewriting or re-organizing passages are possible.
English as a First Language Revisions
When English is not your first language, it can be difficult to compose copy or a blog that flows well and uses the correct syntax for your U.S. or U.K. readers. An English language edit can raise your content to the highest U.S. or U.K. English standards. The editing service can include feedback on your writing to help you improve your skills.
How Much Does an Editor Cost?
Rates can vary depending on the length of your project, what type of edit you need, and how soon you need it. You should find an editor that you trust and that has experience with your type of document. Some editors will have samples of their work or edit a page of your document so that you can decide if they are a good match.
Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) Members Survey of Rates Charged
The rates in the abridged table below are based on the results of a survey conducted by Venture Research Associates in 2020. EFA members were asked to answer questions about projects they invoiced and/or collected payments from during the 2019 calendar year.
The industry standard for a manuscript page is 250 words.
Click here for the definitions of the editorial services.
Editorial Service | Median Rate Per Hour | Median Rate Per Word | Median Pace of Work |
|---|---|---|---|
Copyediting, fiction | $36-$40/hr | $.02-$.029/wd | 7-10 pages/hr |
Copyediting, nonfiction | $41-$45/hr | $.03-$.039/wd | 4-6 pages/hr |
Copyediting, business/sales | $46-$50/hr | $.04-$.049/wd | 4-6 pages/hr |
Developmental editing, fiction | $46–$50/hr | $.03–$.039/wd | 4–6 pages/hr |
Developmental editing, nonfiction | $51–$60/hr | $.04–$.049/wd | 4–6 pages/hr4–6 pages/hr |
Developmental editing, business/sales | $51–$60/hr | $.07–$.079/wd | 4–6 pages/hr |
Developmental editing, book doctoring | $61–$70/hr | $.06–$.069/wd | 4–6 pages/hr |
LINE EDITING | $46–$50/hr | $.04–$.049/wd | 4–6 pages/hr |
Proofreading, fiction | $31–$35/hr | $.02–$.029/wd | 11–15 pages/hr |
Proofreading, nonfiction | $36–$40/hr | $.02–$.029/wd | 7–10 pages/hr |
Proofreading, business/sales | $41–$45/hr | $.04–$.049/wd | 7–10 pages/hr |
Writing (work-for-hire only), ghostwriting full-length fiction | $51–$60/hr | $.09–$.10/wd | 1–3 pages/hr |
Writing (work-for-hire only), ghostwriting full-length nonfiction | $61–$70/hr | $.11–$.15/wd | 1–3 pages/hr |
Free and Low-Cost Resources
Other ways to improve your writing include creating a readers group of your friends, family, and fans. You can also find author groups that edit and give feedback in exchange for your help with their writing.
If you prefer to do it yourself, there are many free and low-cost tools online to help you. Here are some of my favorites.
The Writers Diet. Many writers have overly long sentences and extra words. This program will help you sharpen your style and go from "fat" to "fit".
Hemingway Editor. This app helps you by identifying your reading level, passive voice, and reading difficulty. An excellent way to make sure you are writing to the level that your audience reads and a definite help to identify passive voice.
Grammarly Ap. A very popular app that grades your "correctness", "clarity", "engagement", "delivery", and "style". It is customizable to US or UK English.
Many work processing programs such as Microsoft Word also have built-in editors and spell checkers.
None of these methods are foolproof but they can help you polish your document or book as well as help you understand the weaknesses in your writing. However, your best writing will only be improved with a professional edit.
Questions? Want to know more? Contact me for a free consultation.
Mention #Happy2022 for a 15% discount on your first project.
I am a U.S.-based writer with 20 years of experience writing newsletters, articles, and grants proposals.
I can edit fiction, business writing, and website content.
Let me help you produce high-quality, error-free documents and blog posts.
Deirdre Gamill-Hock is a lifestyle/wellness coach and freelance writer/editor who writes engaging content for blogs and small businesses. Contact her at deirdre@deirdrehock.com or click here.
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