Make Money Editing Books
Self-publishing has created massive demand for professional editors. Authors are publishing faster than ever and desperately need skilled editors to polish their work. Earn $500-5000+ per book with recurring clients who publish multiple books yearly.
Why This Works
Everything you need to turn your skills into a sustainable income stream
Premium Service
Authors understand that editing makes or breaks a book's success. They happily pay $500-5000 for professional editing.
Recurring Revenue
Authors publish multiple books. One happy author client becomes a retainer relationship earning $500-2000/month.
Easier Than Writing
Editing leverages writing knowledge but requires less creativity than ghostwriting. Build sustainable business without burnout.
Book Editor Income
Growing income as you build reputation and attract more author clients:
$500-1500/book
Start with indie authors and small-press authors. Charge $0.02-0.05 per word for editing services.
$1500-3000/book
Build reputation and testimonials. Charge $0.05-0.10 per word. Land recurring author clients.
$3000-5000+/book
Specialize in high-end editing (memoirs, business books). Work with traditional publishers. Command premium rates.
How It Works
Follow these steps to get started and see results quickly
Master Different Editing Types
Learn the three main editing levels: developmental, copy editing, and proofreading. Each serves different needs.
Set Competitive Pricing
Price based on word count, editing type, and your experience. Offer packages and tiered services.
Develop Author Outreach Strategy
Reach out to indie authors, connect with publishing communities, and build relationships with repeat clients.
Build Editing Checklist & Process
Create a systematic editing process and checklist to ensure consistent quality and efficiency.
Editing Services Comparison
Understand how different editing types compare:
| Type | Focus | Time per 10K Words | Price | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developmental | Structure & flow | 3-5 hours | $0.05-0.10/word | $500-1500 |
| Copy Editing | Grammar & clarity | 2-3 hours | $0.03-0.08/word | $300-1000 |
| Line Editing | Sentence level | 4-6 hours | $0.05-0.12/word | $500-1500 |
| Proofreading | Final typos | 1-2 hours | $0.01-0.03/word | $100-300 |
What You Get
Everything you need to succeed in your journey
Critical Service
Professional editing literally determines whether a book succeeds or fails. Authors understand its value.
Scalable Business
Take on more clients, charge by project or retainer. Scale income based on capacity.
Author Relationships
Build deep relationships with authors who return for every book. Predictable monthly revenue.
Flexible Schedule
Work with multiple authors simultaneously. Control your schedule and workload.
Authority Building
Position yourself as expert editor in specific genres or author communities.
Real Results from Real People
"I specialize in editing fiction for indie authors. I edit 5-6 books per month at $800-1200 each. Plus I have 3 author clients paying $700/month retainer for ongoing editing."
Eleanor K.
Book Editor
"I focus on non-fiction and business books, charging $1500-3000 per edit. I work with 15-20 authors annually and maintain retainers with 5-6 repeat clients. This generates steady 6-figure income."
Robert T.
Developmental Editor
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know to get started. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us.
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