The 7 Best Copyediting Services

If you’re self-publishing a book and are at the editing stage, I feel your pain. Writing a book is tough, but the whole editing process is a completely different experience. You may ask yourself:

What type of editing do I need?

How much can I do myself?

Should I hire a company or a freelancer?
How much should I pay?

Yes, an entire can of worms!

My best advice: Get a book assessment from a reputable freelancer or company that can recommend the type of editing that will polish your book for publication. If that’s not an option or you’re looking for a “catch-all” type of edit, copyediting services are a great place to start. 

In this article, we’ll uncover the 7 best copyediting services, what to look for in a copyediting company (or freelancer), and what to expect in pricing, turnaround time, and other important details. 

Professional editing is essential to creating a polished, competitive book. The book publishing industry generated an estimated 32.5 billion dollars in 2024, and the market continues to grow, especially with the low barrier to entry for self-publishers. ¹

Since the market is saturated, it takes a strategic approach to stand out in the crowded space. High-quality editing is a big part of that strategy. 

What is copyediting?

So, I referred to copyediting as a “catch-all” edit. That’s not exactly true. A better description would be that copyediting is great for cleaning up your content and making it look more polished. It’s not as focused on craft as it is on correctness, like grammar, formatting, spelling, and fact-checking. If you are confident that your story is strong (fiction or nonfiction) and have the budget for only one type of editing, then copyediting can help you get the polish that you need to make your book competitive.

According to author Amy Einsohn (with Marilyn Schwartz), in her book The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications, there are six principal tasks of copyediting:²

• Mechanical editing
• Correlating parts
• Language editing
• Content editing
• Permissions
• Markup

And copyediting doesn’t stop there. There are also levels of copywriting that focus on the author’s writing quality and the audience reading the work.² 

Copyediting takes a lot into consideration and should be a serious consideration when selecting the type of editing needed for your book. 

Not sure of the different types of editing or why you need professional editing? Read, Learn these 10 Different Types of Editing for a Better Book and Tips for Successful Fiction Editing: A Self-Publisher’s Guide for more information. 

Types of copyediting services

Niche

These types of agencies focus on client or project type. Examples include Christian nonfiction, memoirs, and business books. 

Specialized

Often used interchangeably with niche companies, a specialized copyediting service more accurately refers to companies that focus on specific subject matter or technical expertise, like academic or medical editing. 

Full service

Full-service companies, as you might expect, do a little bit of everything. Selfpublishing.com is a full-service company that offers you access to a team of editors as well as designers, coaches, and other publishing professionals.

Freelancers

Freelance copyeditors are contract editors whom you can hire directly. Sometimes they offer services through a platform like Reedsy or have their own websites where you can contact them directly for services. 

Marketplace platforms

These types of platforms offer a database of contract editors that you can hire through the platforms. They are either specialized, like Reedsy, and focus on books and publishing professionals, or more general, like Upwork, where you can find freelancers for every industry. 

The type of copyediting service you select will depend on the type of book you’ve written, your budget, and how you prefer to work with service providers. 

Top 7 Best Copyediting Services

*Freelance editors are not included because there are SO many. 🙂

Service	Approximate Copyediting Price	Turnaround / Notes	Pros for Authors	Potential Drawbacks
Reedsy	~$0.019–$0.031 / word (average)	Depends on the editor (varies by project)	Huge marketplace of vetted editors, genre specialists, Big-5 experience	Pricing varies widely; you may pay more for top-tier editors
Kirkus Editorial	Quote-based / free quote first	Editors are matched in ~2 business days and then work on your manuscript	Very experienced editors (from major publishing houses), deep expertise, trustworthy	More structural packages cost more; may be overkill for very lean budgets
Editmojo	$10 / 1,000 words for copyediting	Pricing is flat / built into their package structure	Very affordable, especially for first-time indie authors; clear price tiers	Very low rate may mean less experienced editors; possible tradeoff on depth of edit
Elite Authors	~$0.029 / word for copyediting	Quote-based, depending on manuscript	Professional editors, manuscript-editing packages, good for serious self-publishers	May require multiple rounds or add-on services for more polish
BookBaby Editing	$0.025 / word for copyediting	6–8 business days for copyedit, per their quote tool	Very transparent pricing; editors matched by genre; large network of experienced editors	No direct, continuous communication with editor (per their process)
Scribendi	≈ $31–$32 per 1,000 words (example: $31.52 / 1,000 words for a 1-week book edit; exact quote via their instant quote tool).	Multiple speed tiers; book-editing turnaround examples show ~1 week for standard service (rush options available). They also offer a free sample edit so authors can test editor fit.	Long-standing, large editorial team with experience editing full-length book manuscripts; transparent author services (free sample edit, quality assurance, genre/format support); good trust/review presence.	Pricing is quote-based and can vary by complexity/turnaround; some authors report mixed experiences on forums (as with any large provider) so request a sample and check editor match.
Estorytellers	Quote-based (custom)	1:1 interaction, project management + copyediting + other editorial services	Genre-specific editors, collaborative process, transparent pricing	Potentially more expensive; need to request a quote

Reedsy

Type: Marketplace platform

Why this list: Reedsy is a key player in book publishing education. They offer several industry-related platforms, including one for freelance professionals, publishing tools, and courses. 

Best fit for: Authors who want a more personalized approach to finding the best editor, and those who want to mix and match services (e.g., copyeditor and cover designer) will find this platform useful. 

Kirkus Editorial

Type: Full service

Why this list: Kirkus’s reputation for setting the industry standard for book reviews makes it a trusted resource for editing services. After all, their reputation is at stake. 

According to their website, their team of editors has worked for the Big Five: Penguin Random House, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and HarperCollins.

Best fit for: Because of the company’s reputation and the pedigree of professionals to back it up, they are likely a better fit for hands-off authors who don’t want to spend a lot of time researching candidates and have the budget for high-quality service. The company doesn’t post prices online, but you can request a free quote. 

From the Kirkus website, basic copyediting includes:

A thorough cleanup that focuses on the mechanics of language: correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and typos. Copyeditors also review for continuity, timeline, factual accuracy, and consistency. You’ll receive a marked-up manuscript with tracked edits and queries throughout, plus an editorial letter outlining trends, style rules, and areas of the copyeditor’s focus for your manuscript.

Editmojo

Type: Specialty (editing and formatting only)

Why this list: In the publishing world, there’s often a race to the finish line, but Editmojo’s motto is “We don’t rush our editing.”, which is refreshing. They also only edit books, whereas many other editing companies have a broader scope. 

Best fit for: Authors with smaller budgets who would benefit from a one-stop shop for editing and book formatting services. 

Elite Authors

Type: Full service

Why this list: Elite Authors has been around since 2008. They started off as a writing and editing service and expanded in 2018 to include cover design, formatting, and other book publishing services. 

Best fit for: Authors who are on the fence about what type of services they need. They offer a la carte style options, so you can select only the services you need. This is especially useful if you are on a tight budget and want to spread services out over time. 

Scribendi

Type: Specialized (Academic, Author, Business, Student)

Why this list: The company has been around since 1997 as a standalone editing and proofreading service for multiple industries. It was acquired by Edanz, Inc., a research and author services company out of Japan, in 2023. The company’s focus on high-quality editing support for writers and authors is evident in their solid standing with the Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, and Google Reviews.

Best fit for: Authors looking for end-to-end editing support. The company provides manuscript critiques to assess the saleability of your book, editing, to query development support for those interested in traditional publishing. 

BookBaby Editing

Type: Full service

Why this list: The website states that their editors cost 30-50% less than similar service providers. 

Best fit for: Self-publishers who are cost-comparing and looking for services that match their budget. 

Estorytellers

Type: Full service

Why this list: Estorytellers has an impressive list of client books that have hit the bestseller lists. They are multi-genre editors with editing packages that include formatting. 

Best fit for: Authors with flexible budgets looking for packages that include formatting. 

What to expect when working with a copyeditor

Pricing

You’ll find some services with standardized pricing, while others offer custom quotes. Both are reasonable. Custom quotes should be itemized and easy to understand with no hidden costs. For a list of standard editing prices, consult the Editorial Freelancers Association website. 

Turnaround time

This is a big one. As self-publishers, our time is especially valuable, so knowing how editing turnaround times will affect our workflow is essential. While most service providers will offer standard and rush delivery, it’s important to know how they define standard time and the fee you will incur if you ask for faster service. 

Process and deliverables

When working with a copyediting service provider, you’ll want to make sure that their method of working and the final deliverables are a good fit for you. For example, some editors use Microsoft Word, while others use Google Docs. Some track or suggest changes within the software, still others leave comments in the sidebar. Some do both. 

Feedback structures can also be different. Whether they offer one round or several feedback rounds, ask up front, so you’ll know what to expect. 

Finally, make sure that they have no claim to your manuscript. It’s your manuscript and your copyright. Steer clear of any fine print that reads otherwise. 

Selecting the best copyediting service for your manuscript

Budget

Editing (and cover design) should be a budgetary priority. The right cover can capture a potential reader’s attention, but quality editing will keep them hooked. Carefully considering your budget and what you can and cannot afford will offer clarity and a better perspective when selecting the best copyediting services for your needs. 

Also, consider whether they allow partial or staggered edits and if quotes are negotiable. 

Genre

If possible, find a copyediting service that specializes in your book’s niche. They’ll be more familiar with audience expectations and how to mold your manuscript to fit those needs. Since copyediting focuses more on the technical aspects of writing, not specializing in your book’s genre isn’t a deal breaker, but it is a positive, if you can find one. 

Tips for success

Do your part to ensure that the copyediting process runs as smoothly as possible with the following:

Self-edit 

Editors get paid by the word, page, or hourly. You can streamline that process and potentially reduce the overall cost by self-editing your work to reduce the number of errors. 

Set realistic expectations

Editing is one of the most important parts of the book production process and should not be rushed. While you want the work to be done as efficiently and professionally as possible, expecting a 100K manuscript to be read and thoroughly edited in a week is not realistic. When it comes to quality editing, expect it to take a bit of time. 

Communication matters

As an editor, I can tell you from personal experience that when it comes to communication, every editor (or editing service) is different. Work out early on what communication will look like to ensure your styles fit. If you prefer a chapter-by-chapter update and your editor prefers to edit the entire manuscript before turning it over to you, then you probably won’t be a good fit. Make sure that how a service provider communicates works for you. 

Takeaways

Copyediting services focus on the technical aspects of a manuscript and are often a wise investment for authors. We’ve reviewed popular copyediting services in this article, but there are many others. 

When considering a copyediting service, look for those that have a professional reputation, communicate well, offer samples of their work, and fit your budget. Quality editing is not cheap, so you want to find a service that you feel comfortable with. Do your research and don’t be afraid to pass on a company (or freelancer). There are plenty of companies out there, so trust your gut. 

Source

¹AAP StatShot Annual Report: Publishing Revenues Totaled $32.5 Billion for Calendar Year 2024 – AAP

² Einsohn, A., & Schwartz, M. (n.d.). The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications. University of California Press.