Choosing a Book Editing Package

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

Publishing your book is a major milestone for many would-be authors. It’s exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many moving pieces to consider. How do you know you’re including everything your book needs to be a polished, professional success? Editing in particular can be a challenge, especially because there are several different kinds — each with their own specialization.

In this detailed guide we’ll take a closer look at the different types of editing and how to choose the right editing package that matches your book’s genre and your publishing goals.

All about editing

Editing itself spans a whole spectrum of services, and it’s easy to get bogged down in the details. BookBaby offers three main types of editing services: proofreading, copy editing, and line editing. Each of them focuses on a different type of editing, and they come into play at different stages as your manuscript develops. It’s also worth keeping these different options in mind as you consider your plans and goals for your book.

Copy editing

Copy editing involves going through your manuscript word by word to make edits to grammar, word usage, and consistency. It’s particularly helpful for authors who want to refine the technical side of their content. Not only does copy editing fix grammatical and linguistic errors but also pays special attention to things like punctuation, spelling and syntax. Here again, our editors use the Chicago Manual of Style to make sure that your manuscript is presented as professionally as possible. Because copy editing is more in-depth than other types of editing, it takes around 7–9 business days to complete.

Line editing

Line editing is a deep, structure-based edit that focuses on things like nuance and flow. How are your ideas presented? How are transitions handled? How does the tone and style of the writing appeal to the reader? It sounds similar to copy editing in terms of the depth of editing involved, but line editing is designed to focus more on the overall readability of your book and its narrative quality.

Line editors provide suggestions on ways to improve clarity and flow while also focusing on character development and how the narrative comes together as a whole. Does it make sense? Is it easy to understand?

Here again, given how detailed and involved the process is, it takes around 8–10 business days to complete.

Proofreading

Proofreading involves one last thorough review of your manuscript. It’s also the step that will fix typos, punctuation issues, or capitalization issues. Proofreading fixes those naggy grammarian bits like verb tenses not matching or subject/verb agreement. Once your manuscript has gone through previous rounds of editing (like copy editing and line editing above), proofreading is the “icing on the cake” to make sure everything is as polished and presentable as possible.

At BookBaby, our proofreaders check your work to make sure it’s consistent in terms of formatting and style. Our editors use the Chicago Manual of Style to make edits. Generally speaking, most proofreading work can be done within around 6–8 business days.

Which type of editing is best for my specific genre?

Now that you understand the different types of editing, you may be wondering, “What type of editing is best for my specific genre of book?” A technical instruction manual wouldn’t need line editing, for example, but it would benefit from copy editing. Let’s break down which type of editing is best for each major genre.

Fiction: including novels and short stories

The best type of editing for fiction books, including novels and short stories, is line editing. Fiction books need to have a narrative that instantly hooks the reader. They also need powerful, well-developed characters and dialogue that keeps the reader turning page after page. Line editing can help you enhance these areas of your book, making sure that your story continues to captivate chapter after chapter.

Nonfiction: including biographies and self-help books

Nonfiction books need to be accurate and laid out in a way that’s easy to follow and understand. At the same time, whether you’re publishing a business how-to book or a self-help book, your credibility as an author is on the line. Copy editing is the best choice for nonfiction books, as it makes sure that not only does your content flow in a way that’s natural and easy to follow, but that it backs up your authority as a trusted voice and an expert in your field.

Children’s books

Children’s literature pulls double duty of being both age appropriate and engaging. Although it might seem like overkill to have an editor for a children’s book, the truth is that simplicity matters, as does rich, captivating storytelling. For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest in copy editing and line editing for children’s books that contain a significant amount of words.

Academic textbooks and technical manuals

Copy editing was tailor made for academic textbooks and technical manuals. These words must be accurate and follow specific formatting styles. The right copy editing service makes sure that they consistently follow this format and style.

Cookbooks and art books

Although they’re heavy on the visuals, cookbooks and art books benefit from proofreading, too, especially because minor errors can sneak up and ruin recipes or draw attention away from the art. Proofreading helps make sure these issues don’t happen, without changing the author’s unique voice and tone.

Combining editing services with your goals for your book

Many aspiring authors choose editing services that match their overall goals and experience with their book. Here’s a basic breakdown to help you decide which services would benefit you most:

For first-time authors

For first-time authors, we recommend line editing. This gives you the benefits of an in-depth, detailed edit while providing you with feedback on the narrative structure and flow of your book, as well as the style. It’s also an excellent way to develop your writing skills.

Experienced writers

For seasoned authors, we recommend copy editing, as it offers a more fine-tuned approach to grammar and consistency. It’s a solid polish as you prepare your manuscript for publication.

Authors on a budget

Authors who are on a budget would benefit most from proofreading, as this helps catch any leftover errors that might have snuck by (it happens after you read your material enough times!)

Traditional publishing

Authors who plan to submit their manuscripts in the traditional way should choose line editing and copy editing, as these will help improve your book’s appeal to agents and publishers alike.

Edit with the end in mind

It’s also worth noting that when deciding on the right editing package, your publishing destination matters just as much as your manuscript’s starting point. Each path has different expectations, and you should have these expectations guide your editing decisions whether you’re self-publishing, querying agents or doing a type of hybrid publishing.

That means, for example, that if you’re self-publishing (especially if you’re using one of BookBaby’s self-publishing options), that the responsibility lies on you, the author, to deliver a final, reader-ready book. For this reason, we recommend combining line editing, copy editing, and proofreading together.

Self-publishing is incredibly powerful, but keep in mind that you don’t have a traditional publishing team who’s handling the editing for you. Amazon reviewers are also ruthless and one stray typo can deeply affect reader trust. You still want your book to stand proudly alongside traditionally published titles, so using a well-rounded editing package is how you do that.

One of the most common missteps that self-published authors make is skipping line editing in an attempt to save money. However, that’s the one step that can drastically improve your storytelling — particularly if you are writing a fiction, memoir, or emotional nonfiction book.

If you’re querying literary agents and trying to land a book deal, your goal is to not just sell your story, but also your professionalism. We recommend combining line editing or copy editing and query letter and synopsis editing (more on that below). This is because agents expect polished, high-quality submissions, especially if this is your book debut.

At the same time, your book needs to stand out in a slush pile. You’ve got to make the tone, pacing, and voice shine without distracting typos or grammatical issues that could pull the reader out of the story. It’s incredibly common that authors over-edit their manuscript without realizing that it may change significantly after the deal is inked. Remember, your goal here is not perfection — it’s unlocking potential and showcasing polish.

If you’re doing a small press submission or hybrid publishing, the editing might be included or it might not — it varies by publisher. Smaller presses can vary widely in terms of their editorial support.

If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to combine copy editing and proofreading if the publisher handles the content, or line editing and copy editing if the content is up to you. Why the distinction? Some hybrid deals are “pay to play” and don’t include detailed editing.

What’s more, many small presses expect near-final manuscripts. To be sure, ask the publisher exactly what editing they include before you choose a package. If it’s only light editing, you’ll know the responsibility falls on you.

Last but not least, for long-term career authors who are planning a series or building a brand, this one’s for you. It’s best to have line editing services on your early books, and then copy editing and proofreading on later ones. In this way, you’re fully invested in your craft (and not just one book), and you want to make sure that every release continues to strengthen your credibility.

Those early reviews will set the stage for long-term readership, which is why you’ll want to save your old editor’s feedback and learn from it. Think of it like personal writing lessons from a pro!

When should you combine editing services?

Combining editing services can be incredibly helpful and cost-effective. For instance, if your manuscript needs both improvements in style as well as grammatical corrections, choosing both line editing and copy editing can give you the benefits of both for a thoroughly polished result. Copy editing and proofreading gives you detailed error correction before your book goes to the publisher. However, you won’t want to combine editing services if your manuscript is still heavily in draft territory or you’re on a very tight budget. Instead, prioritize the services that meet your most urgent needs.

How do you know if your manuscript is ready for editing?

Before you submit your manuscript to be edited by professionals, it’s a good idea to do a few passes of it yourself. You’ll want to do a detailed self-review first as well as gather the feedback of others.

Take the time to use tools like Grammarly to catch basic errors and read through your book diligently to make sure that your narrative voice and tenses are consistent throughout the entire work. This process takes a little more time, but it also makes the professional editing service more effective.

Pricing breakdown for BookBaby editing services

BookBaby’s editing services are priced per word. As of June 2025, pricing details for editing services are as follows:

• Proofreading: $0.015 per word
• Copy Editing: $0.025 per word
• Line Editing: $0.04 per word

For example, a 60,000 word manuscript would cost $900 for proofreading, $1,500 for copy editing and $2,400 for line editing. If you’d like to calculate how much your book editing costs, please use our free editing services quote tool to get a more accurate price range.

Working with an editor: what you need to know

Although direct communication with your editor isn’t available, your editor will leave you detailed feedback and comments. Keep in mind as well that editors don’t format your manuscript. Interior formatting is a separate service altogether. If you have other questions about the editing process, we invite you to check out some of the most common questions we receive about BookBaby’s editing services.

In order to make the most out of your editor’s feedback and comments, it’s a good idea to take the time to review their suggestions carefully. At first you may not agree with some changes — this is to be expected. Consider the reasoning and rationale behind each edit as you go through them. It’s important to maintain your voice throughout the process so be sure to implement changes that mesh with your unique style and your intent for the story or guide.

If you’re not sure about a suggestion or comment, it’s never a bad idea to seek out a second opinion! However, you should know that our editors are professionally trained, with decades of combined experience in editing all types of manuscripts, and they work hard to keep your voice and tone intact while offering suggestions and revisions. Think of it like having an expert over your shoulder, guiding your work to perfection, one step at a time.

What happens after editing?

Once your book is edited, the post-editing steps come into play. This includes formatting (preparing your manuscript for print and/or digital publication), design (which includes creating your cover and interior layout), and publishing, which involves distributing your book through several different channels, both online and offline.

You’ll be glad to know that at BookBaby, we offer a variety of customizable self-publishing services to help with each of these steps. You can even get a quote at no charge.

Other BookBaby services to make your book truly shine

At BookBaby, we offer a variety of services that fit your needs, budget, and publishing goals. For example, our self-publishing services include book cover design, interior formatting, and much more. We can even distribute your book to major retailers as well as Amazon, Apple Books, and other well-known sites frequented by readers of all types of genres. Learn more about our self-publishing services and be sure to check out the before and after photos of the covers we’ve designed. We guarantee you’ll be impressed!

We also offer query letter and synopsis editing. If you’re going down the traditional publishing path, creating compelling submissions is a must to stand out from the heap of authors. With this service, we can refine your query letter and edit your book synopsis. This will help you get noticed and showcase your professionalism and credibility as an author, even if you’ve never published before!

Getting started with BookBaby

Now that you better understand what’s involved in the editing process and which type of editing could be right for your needs, how do you get started with BookBaby and our team of editors and professionals? You can enjoy a fully edited manuscript in just four simple steps:

1. First, prepare your manuscript. Make sure it’s formatted to our specifications. We’ve laid out the details for you here. This should only take a few minutes and is designed to make the process go as smoothly as possible.
2. Next, request a quote through our online quote form. This form will give you an estimate based on your manuscript’s word count.
3. When you’re ready, submit your manuscript and go through the secure checkout process.
4. With the timeframes above in mind, review your edited manuscript and the editor’s notes. It’s that easy!

Writing a book is personal. Publishing one is professional. Editing is the bridge that connects the two. Whether it’s your first novel, you’re launching a full nonniction brand, or you’re aiming for a traditional publishing deal, choosing the right editing package is the best way to make an unmistakably professional first impression. Editing services go well beyond just fixing grammar mistakes and updating punctuation. The best editing service for your book is one that naturally amplifies your voice, makes your message even clearer, and gives your readers a truly unforgettable experience.

The important thing to keep in mind when choosing the right editing service for your goals is to first know your genre. Fiction needs flow. Nonfiction needs clarity. Memoirs need authenticity. If you’re still at the raw draft stage, start with line editing. If you’re nearly done, move on to proofreading. If you’re self-publishing, you’ll want the full editorial package, whereas with a more traditional route, focus on proofreading and a powerful query letter.

Last but not least, consider your budget. If you can’t quite afford everything at once, go for the most impactful edit at the stage you’re in. You can always layer services as you refine your manuscript. Take advantage of all the tools that BookBaby offers, including our extensive editing options, quote calculators, and library of self-publishing resources to help you take your book to the next level. Start your editing quote process with us today or choose the package that best fits your needs. We’re here to help you take the next step on your publishing journey with confidence!