Pay The Best Market Rates For An Editor

When you’re finished with your manuscript and feel ready to progress toward publishing your work, one of the last steps is finding an editor. This person will help ensure your work is polished and ready for public consumption. But how much should you expect to pay an editor? And how many rounds of editing will your manuscript likely need?

In the previous blog posts in the month of March, we discussed why you need an editor, what to look for in a good editor, and the types of editing. In this blog post, we’ll answer those cost questions that pop up when it comes to a book editor.

How many rounds of editing will you need?

Special Additions

For more complex works, such as those with multiple authors, multiple subjects, or heavily technical material, a fourth round of editing might be necessary to ensure everything is up to industry standards.

Another instance is for authors working on their book’s design. They should also consider having professional layout assistance after their manuscript has been edited at least twice. This helps to ensure that your work will look its best once it’s ready for publication.

The amount of time needed to complete all rounds of editing depends upon the complexity of the project and the availability of both the editor and the author. It’s important for authors to commit enough time to go over each round before submitting the manuscript for another edit. This ensures that there aren’t any surprises or missed changes during later stages, which can add cost and delay product launch timelines.

How much does an editor cost?

1. If your book requires more than two rounds of editing or has a complex layout design that needs special attention, then you can expect to pay a bit more than the average price range listed above.

2. The type of editor you hire determines the cost. An experienced professional editor with relevant experience and qualifications will typically charge more than an entry-level editor for the same job. Therefore, it’s important to do some research into each potential hire before making a final decision so that you get the best bang for your buck.

3. Authors should consider additional fees such as copyright registration or ISBN numbers when calculating their total publishing costs. Copyright registration can cost around $65 depending on how quickly authors need the certificate issued and whether they register through an official government agency or another third-party service provider. Likewise, ISBN numbers range between $125-$250 depending on how many books the author is planning on printing.

All in all, most authors can expect to pay anywhere between $2,5000 and $10,000 (again your miles will vary) for their entire publishing process – including editing/proofreading services; formatting; copyright registration; ISBNs; cover design; distribution setup; and marketing materials such as website creation or promotional materials like flyers and postcards. 

In addition to these expenses, take into account any upfront costs associated with self-publishing such as printing costs (approximately $1-$4 per paperback book) and hardback copies ($4-$15 per copy). 

Editing, proofreading, and formatting your book can be a daunting task, but it’s important to make sure your work is polished before submitting it to publishers or the audience. 

We’ve outlined some of the average costs associated with editing and publishing – from hiring an editor to obtaining copyright registration. By knowing these expenses beforehand, authors can better budget their time and money to ensure they have enough budget set aside for publishing.