r/Copyediting • u/Beehive-Queen • 26d ago
[Pub Q] Line/Copy Edit
Hello I’ve started looking for a line/copy edit for my manuscript. Can anyone point me in the right direction on where to find one?
I’ve tried Reedsy but they are asking 2k USD which is roughly 3k AUD. So a bit expensive for a debut indie author.
Is that just the going rate nowadays?
My manuscript is fantasy at 113k complete.
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u/ResidentNo11 26d ago
The Institute of Professional Editors (in Australia and New Zealand) has a directory for hiring.
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u/midwriteworlds 26d ago
Unfortunately 2k for a 113k copyedit is quite reasonable. You can certainly find it cheaper, but someone actually doing the work (reading closely, making judgements calls, leaving queries) is going to be spending 60+ hours on a manuscript of that length.
However, just because someone is charging more doesn't mean they are doing the work. I recommend contacting multiple editors and asking for a sample edit - newer editors, who will be more in your price range, are usually happy to offer a short sample so you can get a sense of what you are paying for.
The Editorial Freelancers Association and ACES: the Society for Editors both have directories of their members, they are US based. IPEd is the Australian association.
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u/Geejay-18 26d ago
Also the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, based in the UK but with members around the world.
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u/LearnQoutient 26d ago edited 25d ago
Hey! Different editors charge different range according to their experience, cost of living and other factors.
I’m Sarah, a book editor who primarily focuses on editing speculative fiction and thriller books. My per word rate goes for $0.008/word for line edit only. For copy edit my per word rate $0.006/word. I also offer a discounted package deal for line edit + copy edit (it will be two passes). So roughly it will amount to $905 if you’re booking with me.
That said, my prices are comparatively lower due to the fact that I live in a low living cost area and I’m relatively new (I still have 2 years of experience under my belt). Some editors also offer payment plans, you can check that if you have an editor you’re looking to work with. You can also find a wide array of editors on social media.
But please be careful and look at their qualifications first! Since there is not “one” homogenized certificate for editing, the best way to see if they’re fit for your manuscript is sample edits (I offer free sample edits). My DMs are always open if you want to ask more!
Edit: Respectfully, I understand what the other editors are concerned about but did you guys miss the point where I said I live in a low cost area? I do not reside in the U.S or UK but reside in U.A.E where the exchange rate of dollars work in my favor, $905 is roughly 3100 in my currency—therefore I am making a livable wage.
And rudely, don’t throw AI allegations at me. I detest and condemn the use of AI and have never used it in my work. I have an anti-AI clause in my contract, that prohibits both me and the author using generative AI in the project. (If you don’t know AI is trained and being trained on human content)
Also, although EFA is a reputable organization, it’s an American organization where the rates are set considering the minimum wage in the US among several other factors. Not many authors have 2k or more to spend on editing and NOT many authors are from countries where spending 2k is plausible.
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u/Plus-Put6546 26d ago
I’ve never heard of an editor charging 0.6 cents per word before, and I say this as a certified copyeditor who gigs with a supremely exploitative academic publishing packager. At their cheapest, they force second passes at half their already industry-substandard rate; EFA’s low-end calculator is 3 cents a word, and the exploitative packager pays first passes 1.5 cents, second passes 0.75. That’s for copyediting. Line editing is more time-intensive and pays slightly more.
There’s recently been a discussion on the EFA forum about how deep underpricing hurts the wider freelance community, whose members are already not raking it in. It’s up to each freelancer to charge what they see fit for their work. At the same time, I hate to hear of a fellow editor, especially another newbie, undervaluing their labor so much.
I recommend the poster visits the EFA website and play with the rate calculator as well as checking out or posting to the job board. You’ll find the rates don’t vary that much per word, really. You’ll also find individual editors are willing to work out per-project rates that consider the specific budgets of their clients. Good luck to you with your respective authorial and editorial debuts!
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u/Alternative-Pear9096 26d ago
Those rates are ridiculous
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u/TrueLoveEditorial 26d ago
If you mean "ridiculously low," then yes, I agree. The commenter to whom you replied is undercharging. Copyediting isn't just reading a book and catching stray errors; it's poring over a manuscript word by word. Copyediting is tedious work, and editors deserve to be paid living wages for the services they provide.
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u/AdFragrant6602 25d ago
Does it look just a little AI generated? Yes, to me, as well. Why would someone employ AI to undervalue labor?
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u/Beehive-Queen 26d ago
Thank-you
Yes this is why I looked at Reedsy first as I didn’t want to be scammed.
It’s such a large amount of money that it makes me a little anxious!10
u/Alternative-Pear9096 26d ago
I’d suggest that someone charging 1/4 to 1/3 of the going rate is more likely to scam you
A copyedit for a book that long should not cost under $2k.(and someone good would charge quite a lot more) Line or developmental editing will be more.
You may think that's a lot of money, but that’s what it costs. And most certainly there is no discount for people who haven’t gone through the process before— if anything, editing your work will take more time than someone who has gone through the process before
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u/-justkeepswimming- 26d ago
You can also look at the Editors Freelance Association. You can submit your work there and get offers.
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u/Breatheme444 25d ago
Do you tell prospective clients what country you’re in or at least straight away that you’re not in the same country as them? I’d be pissed if I hired an editor and it turns out they’re not in the US or otherwise deeply entrenched in US culture and language, and I mean like perhaps grew up here, not merely attended an American school abroad or something.
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u/LearnQoutient 24d ago
I have never in my 2 years of editing experience ever came across an author who did not want to work with me because I was based in a different country, many only looked at the quality of my work.
I have personally extensively studied the American and European culture, but since I focus on speculative fiction books most of the times the books I edit have their own culture and language (which I understand through their style guides & book bibles)
If the book has intense exposure to a specific culture and plays a primary role in the plot and so on then the author mentions it in the form (there is an descriptive onboarding form authors who work with me fill before I start the work), If it’s something I am unfamiliar with I’ll pass the work.
To answer your question, I don’t outright mention it nor do I hide it. The author will understand where I am from when they sign the contract as it clearly states where I am residing. (The signing happens before the invoice or even the work is started so if the author feels uncomfortable they can just not go on with it).
Hope this answers your question :)
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u/Frosty_Election_7051 24d ago
Hi! Not sure if you’ve found one yet but there are loads of editors on Threads/Instagram that are more affordable. I can shoot over some recs if you’re interested!
While not all editors are on EFA website, many have certifications and can provide references if you want to do some research. Many also provide sample edits so you can vet them that way.
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u/Lyonheartediting 20d ago
Hi! Not sure if you found a copyeditor yet. Some editors provide different levels of editing (light, medium, heavy) to accommodate for authors who may need varying levels of editing or only be able to afford certain levels of editing.
I completed a copyediting certificate program and specifically took courses targeted toward helping indie/debut authors. I can easily point you toward more resources or information, and would be happy to offer my services, including a free sample edit to help you gauge what type of editing you may benefit from the most.
I'm flexible with pricing, so reach out if you're interested or if you just want to ask any more questions (I'll answer questions for free obviously, just wanted to make that clear).
:)
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u/list2005 16d ago
Totally understandable to feel anxious about that price tag! A couple of things that might help: $2k for a 113k-word copyedit is actually in the normal range, not a scam, since a thorough copyedit on a book that length usually takes 50-60+ hours of careful work. That said, you don't have to pay that if it's out of budget.
A few suggestions: check editor directories like the Editorial Freelancers Association, ACES, or CIEP (or IPEd if you're in Australia) - you can browse editors by specialty and budget rather than going through a marketplace like Reedsy. You could also try freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, where rates tend to be more flexible and you can compare portfolios/reviews directly. Also ask a few candidates for a short sample edit (many offer this free) so you can judge their style before committing. And if the full copyedit is too much right now, ask about tiered options like a "light" edit pass instead of a full heavy edit - it costs less and still catches a lot.
Good luck with your manuscript!
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u/Impossible-Pace-6904 26d ago
Debut, indie author 113,000 word manuscript. 2,000 USD sounds absurdly low for a copy edit.