There are four stages of editing: Developmental Editing, Copy-editing, Proofreading, and Page Proofing. Whether you are writing a book or are curious about writing one, you should be acquainted with the editing process of how your book gets from your computer to the readers at home, and how much it could cost in the process. Additionally, not all editors are the same across the board. We are people too, and we have different styles of editing. To learn more about my style, click here.

Usually, during this process, there will be five different sets of eyes on the project; a different set of eyes for each stage of the process, plus your project manager’s or coach’s (if you have one). You may even have others involved on your team.

Developmental editors find errors the writer missed. Copy editors find errors the developmental editor missed. Proofreaders find errors the copy editor missed. Page proofing is when YOU and your project manager look one last time to find any errors the proofreader missed. That’s how you ensure your book will be as close to perfect as it can get before it goes to print.

Stage 1: Developmental Editing – What is it, and what do developmental editors do?

Developmental editing, also known as structural editing, is the substantial editing of the plot, setting, structure, character development, adding, rearranging, or deletion of content and scenes, intro, and ending. Developmental editors make sure the work makes sense and help you develop your book. There are no plot holes, facts are checked, timelines fall into place, characters’ backstories seem legitimate and consistent. This must come first. It is best to hire a developmental editor, even if you are a self-publisher because, as all proofreaders know, even the best of us can’t catch all of our own mistakes. So, even if you are a great writer, even the best, having another set of eyes on your project is still recommended.

Developmental Editors Job Duties: What do developmental editors actually do?

Here’s a breakdown of what we do once we are hired, and you give us the green light.

First, I ask the author what specific parts of their book they want feedback on. Usually, I already know by the time I’m hired because the author has a good reason why they contact me when they do and what parts they’re uncertain about.
I read the manuscript like a reader. This is way different than an editor reads because I have to ignore all errors and see how the story itself makes me feel (confused, dissatisfied, happy, etc.).
I go back over the story again, this time making comments and keeping in mind my observations from when I read the story as a reader. For example, I observed where paragraphs and chapters might belong better elsewhere. I will suggest we delete what is unnecessary or doesn’t belong. I also will suggest we fix major errors or add transitional phrases to improve word flow, and I make comments using Microsoft Word’s tools.
In my comments, I make suggestions on improving the story, word flow, dialog, etc. I pay special attention to the elements of their book on which they requested specific feedback. I check for plot holes, facts, and statistics to make sure citations are properly cited, if there are any. I’ll also make sure that nothing in the story or characters seems out of place.
If something is especially exceptional, I comment my encouragement so that they know something is working very well and that we need to make sure we keep that specific part just the way it is. Also, who wants all totally depressing feedback? This way, they get positive feedback, too, to boost their confidence in their writing.
I give each client continuous guidance on building and developing their book. That includes both the body content (such as character development and scenes) as well as front matter and back matter. I help my clients build their books from front to back and I’m always available by email, phone, or text, even if it’s years later. I build lifelong client relationships.

Once I’m finished with all that, I save their book with all my suggestions in the comments and email it to them with a brief overview and explanation of my suggestions, along with some instructions on how to use track changes in Word about how to review the comments. Then, I offer to talk to them on the phone or via Zoom, and if needed, we discuss the changes and comments. Once they have the hang of track changes in review, they can accept or reject the changes (and make changes of their own) through Word, then save the document and send it back to me. This completes round one.

They can also email me with questions or send me screenshots if they need to be more specific. Or, if they so choose to, they can respond to the comments in the text.

I usually go through two, maybe three rounds. Sometimes more, depending on the client. I do my absolute best to make sure the client is happy, and I’ve worked with some great people. Once they approve the changes for the final round, I make them a final copy without any tracking marks or comments and send them this copy, which is called a clean copy.

Developmental Editing Costs: How much do developmental editors cost?

Developmental editing costs are, to put it bluntly, all over the map. There’s a wide range of costs involved with developmental editing because it depends on many factors. It is uncommon to find developmental editors offering this service at rates per hour, although it is out there. Hourly rates can range from $46 to 350 dollars per hour; however, should you be offered hourly rates, be sure you know how many words or pages those rates cover. For example, on my rates page, you will see my rates start at $45 per hour for developmental editing, which is about 3 cents per word. So all my rates are based on word count. I have it listed this way because of the standard rates listed by the Freelancer’s Union, but my rates are still based on word count. I have the Freelancer’s Union rates available on my website on my rates page.

Usually, fiction works are the lowest cost because they are the easiest (not as many strict guidelines and few, if any, citations to look up), followed by nonfiction, business, and science or medical works. This goes for all types of editing and proofreading.

Typically, you can expect to pay 3 to 12 cents per word for this service, but many Developmental Editors have page rates and flat rates for novels available, as well. Page rates are typically from $3.50 to 20 dollars per page, and flat rates are usually per every 1000 words, anywhere from $20 to 100 per every 1000 words. Again, these rates depend on the nature of your work and how experienced your editor is. If you have a seasoned professional working for you, their rates will probably be higher, but you’re paying for experience.

So, to sum it up, Developmental Editing could cost you:

$46 to 350 dollars per hour

3 to 12 cents per word

$3.50 to 20 dollars per page

$20 to 100 dollars per 1000 words

Stage 2: Copy-editing/line editing – What is it, and why is it important?

Copy-editing is the stylistic or content editing of word choice or phrasing, refining characterizations, dialog, beginning and ending of each chapter, overused dialogue tags, bad writing habits (repetitious words, sometimes the author gets a favorite word they repeat a lot), consistency, page numbers, chapter numbers, commas, grammar check, light fact-checking, double words, typos, punctuation, spelling, formatting, links, table of contents, footnotes, and bibliography. In my opinion, it is the most in-depth, corrective part of the process and the most important.

Now, as a disclaimer, if you look at five different websites, you’ll find five different editing guides regarding content editing, copy-editing, line editing, and mechanical editing. So, with that being said, there is a difference between copy-editing, line editing, and mechanical editing, but for the purposes of this book and for self-publishers and freelancers, it’s all going under the same umbrella here. The reason why is because most freelance copy editors fix all of these errors, edit line by line, fix mechanical errors, and improve word flow for each project. However, you’re welcome to research the differences in those types of editing further if you so choose to.

As stated above, I don’t mind going ahead and accepting the work to copy-edit the material without previous developmental editing if the author is a very good writer (and does a fine job of editing their own work). But that’s ONLY if everything seems very well-written. However, that being said, it is exceptionally difficult to proofread material that has not been copy-edited. And yes, I did just say all of that again because it is that important.

Developmental editing is just as important as the original writer is to the project, and the development of the characters and plot are highly important. Obviously, without the original work, there would be nothing to edit. But, the ideas should flow freely onto the page without being hindered by “editing awareness.” It should be the copy editor’s job to worry about where the commas, semicolons, and em-dashes go. This is why the copy editor is so important.

So, why is it so important to hire a copy editor? First of all, if your book is full of errors, no one is going to want to read it, or you’ll have a bunch of bad reviews. Have you ever seen any of the reviews of an unedited book on Amazon? I have, and I sincerely felt bad for the author. Also, not hiring a copy editor, then trying to hire a proofreader means your proofreader will be hindered greatly in their work if they try to proofread a project that has not been copy-edited. Chances are (unless you have edited your own work very well) if you put your copy in front of a seasoned proofreader without it being copy-edited first, they are going to charge you extra or flat tell you it needs to be copy-edited first.

In my case, I tell my client it needs to be copy-edited. I usually ask first, though, if it’s already been done yet, as most proofreaders do.

Hiring a Copy editor: How much is it going to cost?

Like developmental editing, copy-editing costs are all over the map. There’s a wide range of costs involved with copy-editing as well, for the same reasons, because it depends on many factors. It is much more common to find copy editors offering this service at rates per hour. Hourly rates can range from $36 to 60 dollars per hour, averaging five pages per hour. My rates start at $35 per hour, but it’s based on word count, at 1800 words per hour.

Again, fiction works are the lowest cost because they are the easiest (not as many strict guidelines and few, if any, citations to look up), followed by nonfiction, business, and science or medical works.

Typically, you can expect to pay 2 to 50 cents per word for this service, but many copy editors have page rates and flat rates for novels available, as well. Page rates are typically from $2.50 to 15 dollars per page, and flat rates are usually per every 1000 words, anywhere from $15 to 100 dollars per every 1000 words. Again, these rates depend on the nature of your work and how experienced your editor is. If you have a seasoned professional working for you, their rates will probably be higher, but you’re paying for experience.

So, to sum it up, copy-editing could cost you:

$36 to 60 dollars per hour

2 to 50 cents per word

$2.50 to 15 dollars per page

$15 to 100 dollars per 1000 words

Stage 3: Proofreading – What is it exactly?

Proofreading is the stage in which your proofreader will be checking the stylistic or content word choice or phrasing, dialog, overused dialogue tags, bad writing habits (repetitious or filler words), consistency, page numbers, chapter numbers, commas, grammar check, light fact-checking, double words, typos, punctuation, spelling, formatting, links, table of contents, footnotes, and bibliography. Your proofreader’s job is to catch any mistakes your copy editor missed or introduced into your manuscript.

When your copy editor is finished editing their own work, it’s common knowledge among editors and proofreaders that we cannot always catch our own mistakes. And we do make mistakes. That’s why proofreaders are only supposed to highlight errors for you to approve any changes.

I mentioned it twice before, and it is worth mentioning a third time: It is exceptionally difficult to proofread material that has not been copy-edited. And that’s mostly because they’re going to have to mark a lot more things.

A proofreader should breeze through about eight to ten pages an hour and charge about $25 to 50 dollars per hour. Their only job is to catch the errors the copy editor missed. This is the last stage before the final checkpoint, just before it goes to print. The final stage, Page Proofing, is just a quick eyeball before it goes to print. Proofreading is the last in-depth check, and if your project never went to a copy editor, the proofreader is NOT going to breeze through eight to ten pages an hour.

Again, chances are, unless you have edited your own work very well if you put your copy in front of a proofreader without it being copy-edited first, they will charge you extra or flat tell you it needs to be copy-edited first.

Hourly rates can range from $25 to 50 dollars per hour, or approximately 8-10 pages per hour. My rates, again, are always available on my website, noteworthymom.com, but my starting rate is $25 per hour, and it’s based on word count like all my other rates are.

Typically, you can expect to pay 2 to 7 cents per word for this service, but many Proofreaders have page rates and flat rates for novels available, as well. Page rates are typically from $1 to 5 dollars per page, and flat rates are usually per every 1000 words, anywhere from $10 to 70 dollars per every 1000 words. Again, these rates depend on the nature of your work and how experienced your editor is. If you have a seasoned professional working for you, their rates will probably be higher, but you’re paying for experience.

So, to sum it up, Proofreading could cost you:

$25 to 50 dollars per hour

2 to 7 cents per word

$1 to 5 dollars per page

$10 to 70 dollars per 1000 words

Stage 4: Page Proofing – What is it?

Page proofing is the final stage of the editing process and lucky for you, this stage is free. However, you’ll most likely have a schedule, with deadlines to keep at this point. After the proofreader double-checks the copy editor’s work, your book will be sent back to you or your project manager. This could also be your Production Editor. You must go over the final draft and check one last time for any errors. This is what is called page proofing or the proof stage. Should you find anything you want to change at this point, it will be for typographical errors ONLY. It is too late to change anything else.

If you find any typographical errors at this point, talk to your project manager (or proofreader) as soon as possible.

Most of my clients are self-publishing authors. If you do find any errors, it’s best to ask your proofreader to find out if it’s actually an error, or if it’s possible that you are mistaken.

Also, do not make the mistake of further editing your book at this point, or you could introduce new errors to your manuscript.

Once the copy is acceptable, the content is final and ready for print. Congratulations!

Jeannie Culbertson ~The Noteworthy Mom