You finished it. Now what kind of editor do you need?
Developmental, line, copy, proof. Almost nobody outside publishing can say confidently which one they want, and that uncertainty is the real reason hiring an editor feels risky. So start there.
I have a draft
You have written the thing. You don't know whether it needs restructuring or just tidying, you have no idea what it should cost, and every quote you have seen is a different number for what sounds like the same work.
Start with the diagnosticI edit
You do this work and you want writers who already understand what they're asking for. Listing is straightforward, and we don't take a cut of what you charge.
How listing worksThe four kinds, in one paragraph each
Developmental editing
The big one. Structure, pacing, character, argument: whether the thing works at all. It happens early, and it can mean rewriting large parts. Most expensive, and the one most likely to change your book.
Line editing
Sentence by sentence: rhythm, clarity, word choice, voice. It's about whether the prose does what you want it to do, not correctness. Happens once the structure is settled.
Copyediting
Grammar, consistency, style, accuracy. Does the timeline hold, is the character's name spelled the same throughout, does it follow a style guide. Happens when the words are close to final.
Proofreading
The last pass. Typos, spacing, formatting errors, anything that survived. It is not a cheap copyedit, and asking a proofreader to fix your structure is the single most common mistake writers make.
What it should cost
We publish honest ranges because hidden pricing is this industry's biggest trust problem. You should be able to tell whether a quote is reasonable before you're on a call with someone.
Rates vary by length, condition, genre and turnaround, but they vary within a range, not infinitely. The ranges are here, with what moves a price up or down.
What this site is, plainly. We connect writers with editors. We don't employ, supervise, or guarantee anyone listed here, and we aren't party to your agreement with them. Scope, rates, deadlines and payment are arranged directly between the two of you. The pricing guidance here's general information, not a quote.