The Top 9 Book Editing & Proofreading Services in 2024

For writers searching for book editing and proofreading services, finding a reliable book editor can be a daunting process. Using book editing services can help you improve your book manuscript and increase your chances of publishing your work, whether you plan to self-publish or work with an agent to find a traditional publisher. The book editors at Editor World have worked with many authors, both new and established, so we understand how important your book project is. Choosing the best book editing service for you depends on your needs, goals, and budget. Confused about what editing is? Our " What is Editing" article can help. 

A list of the  top book editing and proofreading services in 2024 is provided below to give an overview of a few book editing service options from which to choose.

 1.  Editor World

Editor World is an American editing services company with a panel of on-demand book editors. Every editor is a native English speaker from the USA, UK, or Canada. Clients select their book editor and can communicate directly with their editor throughout the editing process. The professional book editors who provide editing services at Editor World must pass a stringent editing skills test. The cost to edit a book manuscript of 45,000 words at Editor World is $900 with a turnaround of about one and a half weeks. Some professional  book editors on the Editor World team offer a discount of up to 20% off the price of book editing and proofreading services. Editor World has a 5/5 rating on  Google reviews, a 5/5 rating on  Facebook reviews.

 2.  BookBaby

BookBaby provides professional book editing services as well as query letter services, book synopsis services, and book printing services. The price for editing a book with 45,000 words is $1,169 at BookBaby. BookBaby provides line editing, copy editing, and proofreading services. The company offers a free quote tool on its website and also provides a phone number clients can call.  BookBaby has 4.4 stars on Google reviews.

3.  Scribendi

Scribendi is a Canadian editing and proofreading services company and its editors are located around the world. The company assigns each book manuscript to one of its book editors when you submit your editing request. For a 45,000-word book manuscript, the price for book editing services is $1,455 and the turnaround is 1 week. Scribendi offers a free sample edit to help clients decide whether to use their book editing and proofreading services. Scribendi has 4.6 stars on TrustPilot.

4.  Editage

Editage provides non-academic book editing services as well as cover design and typesetting services. According to the company, their most popular book editing service is their consultative pack, and they also offer a standard pack for book editing services. The price for editing a book manuscript with 45,000 words requires a custom quote from the company.  Editage has 4.7 stars on TrustPilot and 3 stars on Facebook reviews.

5.  Wordy

Wordy is a company based in the United Kingdom that provides book proofreading and copy-editing services. Based on their price per word, the cost to edit a book manuscript with 45,000 words is $1,485 at Wordy. The turnaround time for editing a 45,000-word manuscript is unclear. Wordy has 2.5 stars on TrustPilot. 

6.  Wordvice

Wordvice was founded in 2013 and provides information on some members of its editing panel on the company website. Wordvice offers book editing services for authors in addition to several other types of editing services. The cost to edit a book manuscript of 45,000 words is $1,800 at Wordvice with a turnaround of 1 week. Wordvice has 4.7 stars on TrustPilot and 3 stars on Facebook. 

7.  Proofed Proofreading and Editing

Proofed Proofreading and Editing is based in South Africa and assigns each client’s book manuscript to one of its book editors. At Proofed, the cost to edit a book manuscript with 45,000 words is $2,475 (USD) for a 5-day turnaround. Authors may want to request a free sample edit before submitting their book manuscript for editing because 5 days is a fast turnaround for a document of this length. Proofed has 4.7 stars on TrustPilot. 

8.  Enago

Among its offering of editing services that can be used by nonfiction book authors, Enago provides scientific editing, substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading services. The company also provides publication support services for authors in addition to plagiarism checks that are provided at an additional cost. The price for copy editing a book manuscript that is 45,0000 words requires a custom quote at Enago. Enago has 4 stars on TrustPilot and 3.9 stars on Facebook. 

9.  Reedsy

Reedsy provides services for authors that include editing, designing, and marketing. The book editing services are provided by 1,700+ providers on their platform. The services provided include developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, editorial assessment, book coaching, query letter reviews, and indexing. To purchase services, clients choose a provider and then request a quote. Reedsy has an average rating of 4.8 stars on TrustPilot, but has a high number of 1-star ratings that should be reviewed before signing up for their service. Many reviews show concern about receiving too many emails and varying quality of providers. It’s important to find the best provider before making any payments.

If you're looking for information on editing and proofreading services costs, view our Prices page for an instant price calculator or read more at " How Much Does an Editor Cost?" 

FAQ

How do I pick the best book editor for me?

Gathering as much information as possible is important when searching for a book editor. You should have a clear understanding of the communication process, transaction process, editing expectations, and timeline. Requesting a free sample edit of a page of your book is recommended before you select a book editor.

How long does it take to edit a book?

The timeline for editing your book depends on the length of the book as well as the stage of your book. The higher the word count of the manuscript, the more days we need for editing. Books in the early stages of development also often need more time for editing. A list of turnaround times and word limits can be found on our Prices page.

Will I know who is editing my book?

Some companies assign your book to an editor who is on staff, so you may not know the exact provider. Other companies provide a listing of editors and you choose the editor. We’ve found that some clients prefer to choose their editor while others would rather have it be assigned by the company. At Editor World, we provide a listing of editors with information on their education, credentials, and client ratings. You choose the editor and can communicate with the editor through an internal messaging system on our website.

How much does book editing cost?

The prices for book editing vary from one company to another. You can expect to spend at least 2 cents per word for quality book editing services. Some book editing companies charge higher prices. The prices for book editing services at Editor World start at 2.1 cents per word and an instant price calculator can be viewed on our Prices page.