Editing your book, one decision at a time.
Ten guides for nonfiction authors who have a draft, or nearly do, and want to know what happens next. Every rate and rule comes from a published source, linked where it appears.
Know what kind of help you need
The types of editing, explained
Developmental, line, copy and proofreading, plus manuscript assessment, fact-checking and indexing, with a side-by-side table.
Read the guide → 8 minute readHow much does a book editor cost?
Current median rates by type of edit, and the full arithmetic for a 50,000-word manuscript.
Read the guide → 8 minute readDevelopmental editing for nonfiction
What a developmental editor looks at, what an edit letter contains, and how to tell whether you need one.
Read the guide → 7 minute readLine editing vs. copyediting
The same paragraph, edited both ways, so you can see the difference instead of reading about it.
Read the guide → 7 minute readCopyediting vs. proofreading
Why they happen at different stages, what a style sheet is, and where the Chicago Manual of Style fits.
Read the guide →Do the work well
How to edit your own book
Seven passes, from the whole book down to the final read, before you pay anyone.
Read the guide → 7 minute readBeta readers for nonfiction
Who to ask, how many, the questions to send them, and how to weigh what comes back.
Read the guide → 8 minute readHow to find a book editor
Where to look, how to vet a sample edit, questions to ask, red flags and what the contract should say.
Read the guide → 7 minute readWorking with your editor
How to read an edit, handle tracked changes, push back without friction, and how many rounds to expect.
Read the guide → 9 minute readFact-checking and permissions
Checking your own facts, quoting other works, fair use, lyrics and images, and writing about real clients.
Read the guide →Not sure where your manuscript stands?
Answer a few questions about your draft and the editor finder tells you which kind of edit to start with.