Affordable Novel Editing

We proofread and edit novels of all types and match them to the appropriate manuscript editor.

Yes! We correct grammar as part of our novel proofreading service.

Novel proofreading and editing
Grammar, typographical errors, misspellings, punctuation, clarity, comma splices, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, subject-verb disagreement, and verb tense, flow, phrasing ambiguities, audience appropriateness, organization, structure, theme, rhetorical consistency, levels of diction, lexical register, rhythm, and colloquialisms.

Novel formatting
Specific to your needs for an ebook or print book.

If you send your novel in Microsoft Word format, we can return two copies to you when finished. One is the original with changes highlighted. The other is the final version.

All of our novel editors have years of training as teachers, published authors, and professionals in various disciplines. We provide the right editor for your needs. We default to American English, APA publication style, and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. We’re happy to use other styles and conventions. However, any deviations from these rules must be noted by the author beforehand to avoid re-editing.

No. The editing function has been a long-time feature and the files we send you are for a PC or Mac.

We much prefer Microsoft Word because of its Track Changes feature. However, if you check with us first, we support digital texts in a range of formats (e.g., Microsoft Word, Works, AppleWorks, Pages, Rich Text, and Open Office).

Our editors ensure that your novel complies with your style requirements.

A member of our novel editing staff can usually respond within two to three hours. We complete most manuscripts within a few business days. An editor and proofreader will accept it only if we can have the finished novel back to you before your deadline.

Proofreading and editing are approximately 1 cent per word; the exact price can be determined using our cost calculator. Formatting is approximately ½ a cent per word.

We currently accept PayPal, Zelle, SquareUp, Venmo, bank cards, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Debit, and Maestro. The method of payment is a secure system with industry standard 128-bit encryption. This is the premier form of encryption available for Internet transactions and is the same level of security used in cash machines (ATMs) and most retail stores. Please note: An account is not required to process your credit card and our staff never see your personal data.

The proofreading and editing rate is based on word count and your choice between proofreading and editing or formatting too. Unlike other novel editing companies, we do not have confusing editing rates per page or vague quotes. We provide exact figures for editing services. Send us your file and specify editing and proofreading and whether you want formatting too.

MS Word has a feature that you can use to obtain a word count. Alternatively, send it to us. We will calculate the amount and send you an email with a link to your invoice and payment options. If you want to calculate it yourself, multiply the number of words in your novel times 0.013 for proofreading and editing or times 0.019 for proofreading, editing, and formatting. For instance: 30,000 x 0.013 = $390 [USD].

Our smallest charge is $25 [USD]. If you have a project with a word count that is shorter than the minimum, we may be able to work on it for you, but the charge would be $25 USD.

We reword individual sentences. We may rearrange sentences. We may offer suggestions to improve the organization of paragraphs and sections within your novel. Complete rewriting is not an option.

We consider the issues surrounding intellectual copyright and confidentiality to be crucial. Only your novel editor and a managing editor have access to your novel. Each of our staff members is required to sign a copy of the confidentiality agreement, which ensures that under no circumstances can an employee share your novel with anyone. If you require a separate non-disclosure agreement, contact us. Unless you request otherwise, all novels and related files are deleted after sixty days. We do not sell, trade, transfer, rent or share ANY information with ANY other party. All novels reviewed by our editors remain the intellectual property of you, the original author. In keeping with our strict confidentiality, we never release names or titles without prior consent. For further information, view our privacy policy.

We make use of the most powerful and updated security measures including the industry standard in encryption (128-bit secure socket layer). This is the highest level of security commercially available and is the same standard of security used in cash machines (ATMs) and by many retail stores. To protect your credit card information, we have partnered with Venmo, PayPal, and SquareUp to offer you the most trusted financial transaction systems on the Internet. The entire payment process is conducted through one of their secure websites. No banking information or credit card data is ever collected or stored by us.

You always maintain ownership and copyright. We make no claim on your copyright, and we do not require credit or acknowledgment beyond the fees for the services rendered. It is a commonly accepted practice for some writers to credit us as their editor and this is always appreciated.

All of our editors and proofreaders must, at a minimum: (a) be native speakers of English; (b) have at least five years of professional experience as a writing editor; and (c) provide samples of their writing, proofreading and editing. A typical editor has more than fifteen years of professional experience and is published in his or her chosen field.

We are confident that our novel proofreading services are among the best in the industry. We are a professional company focused on you providing the best service possible. Each novel is proofread twice before returning it to you. If you are not completely satisfied, you can resubmit your novel for further editing and proofreading. We are committed to your satisfaction.

Yes, although we can nearly always tell when we read something, please specify which form of English you need when you place your order.

Novel editors are available nearly twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Our administrative staff is available between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST (GMT −6); we typically answer messages within a few hours.

Our global headquarters is based in the United States in Chicago, Illinois. Your communications are channeled through this office.

After looking at our FAQ, if you still have a question, its best to contact Client Services by email.

Even the best writers benefit from an impartial, professional and thorough look at their novel. Our editors recognize things in your novel that become unnoticeable to you. After you have done several drafts, reviewing and revising, that familiarity with the novel results in your filling in missing text and skipping over errors when you read.

Your novel will be print-ready subject to the state of the project when submitted to us.

We edit all sorts of styles, dialects, special kinds of formatting and other types of creativity. If there is something you do not want us to alter, mention this when you email the novel. With no additional instructions from you, we will edit your work to conform to the rules of standard English sentence structure and spelling.

Certainly you may explain things to your novel editor. Once it arrives, your novel is quickly routed directly to a chief editor who is familiar with, and appreciates, your type of novel. A client services representative will be happy to relay your comments and queries to your novel editor and then send the answers back.

Any feedback you receive from your novel editor is for the purpose of improving your work.

Our editing and proofreading service most closely resembles what is often called copyediting with some additional checks and benefits. As mentioned earlier on this page, at no charge, and only when asked, we can make evaluative comments in a brief document and explain corrections and suggestions covering the following questions:

• How can the marketability of your manuscript be improved?
• Does the book's content have any major structural or organizational problems?
• Have you missed any essential elements or underdeveloped any topics or scenes?
• Is your book too brief or too protracted and, if so, why?
• Are there stereotypes or clichés that render the manuscript weaker?
• Are the characters imaginative and developed fully?
• Is there too much interior monologue or description and exposition at the expense of dialogue and/or action?
• Is there the proper amount of suspense, believability, tension, conflict and action?
• Are there other things that you, the author, can do to improve the book's content?

What we do would not be considered developmental editing or content editing. See here for a further description of what not to expect from any editor.

Contact us directly with your novel editing questions. One of our chief editors will be more than happy to discuss your novel with you and provide any additional information you may require.