What Is Line Editing? And (When) Should You Hire a Line Editor?
You’ve got a first draft of your book done. You’ve got the structure and organization figured out, but you want some help with your writing style. You’re looking for ways to make your manuscript sound better, flow better, and keep your reader’s attention.
If any of these things are true—and you’ve got some money to spend—you may need a line editor.
Here, you’ll find a line editing definition, examples, rates, keys to finding a good line editor, a cost-saving alternative, and how to determine whether or not you may need a line edit for your nonfiction book. . . .
(I’m writing this as an experienced nonfiction book editor for US authors since 2017 and with nonfiction authors in mind.)
Line editor definition
A line editor is a professional who helps authors improve the readability and engagement of their book manuscripts.
Line editing is less concerned with the less-subjective grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors than it is with the style and language used by the author, the flow of the book, and the readability of individual sentences and paragraphs.
What does a line editor do? What’s included in a line edit?
A line editor may do the following as part of their editing services:
examine the writer’s vocabulary choices and style of expression and offer better alternatives where needed
provide improvements for indirect, unclear, bland, or awkwardly phrased sentences
flag wordy, repetitive and redundant words, phrases, and points, as well as internal inconsistencies
note where the author spends too much or too little time on a subject or veers off-topic
fix run-on sentences and mark where long paragraphs can be split
point out shifts in tone, voice, or point of view (i.e., a sudden shift from first person to third person)
improve the transitions between paragraphs and chapters
Line editors usually offer explanations as to why the changes they’re offering are needed or beneficial.
A line editor helps the author write more clear, more impactful prose and keep the reader’s attention.
Line editing done well helps the author communicate better and makes writing more memorable.
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Line editors typically mark up a Word document or Google Docs file with suggested edits and comments.
They also typically complete an “editorial letter” for the author that summarizes and explains their suggestions for revisions.
There’s no one way to line edit a manuscript. That’s why it’s important to get a feel for how a line editor would work on your manuscript. (More on that later.)
Line editing examples
There are some good examples of line editing in What to Expect with a Line Edit by Sandra Wendell.
Line editing rates
How much does a line editor cost?
First of all, most editors charge by the word.
In the US, line editing costs $0.025 to $0.040 per word or more.
Fiction rates are usually on the lower end of that scale. Nonfiction line editing rates are usually on the higher end of the scale.
According to the Editorial Freelancers Association’s 2024 editing rate chart, the average cost of line editing for fiction books is $0.026 to $0.035/word, and the average cost of line editing for nonfiction books is $0.034 to $0.045/word.
Editing rates depend upon the level of experience of the editor and whether or not they specialize in a particular genre or genres. I would be leery of hiring any editor who does both fiction and nonfiction books (aside from maybe memoir), because editing fiction and editing nonfiction require very different skills. Across all genres and all types of editing, EFA data shows you can expect to pay 10 to 15 percent less for a memoir to be edited.
It’s not uncommon for rates to vary by genre. For example, line editing for a romance novel might be less expensive than line editing for literary fiction. Line editing for a memoir might be less expensive than line editing for an academic nonfiction book.
I do not do this and have never done this, but some editors may charge more or less depending upon where they live. It might turn out, though, that a New York–based editor with seemingly high rates just so happens to have worked for a major publishing house! Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how the rate is determined.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample edit, even if that comes with a cost. Some authors will speak to three editors and get sample edits from the one(s) whom they think could be the best fit before putting anything in writing.
Most line editors charge by the word, not by the page, because font sizes, spacing, and individual layouts vary. If your brain thinks in terms of an hourly rate, you can assume it’s going to be something like $40–60/hr, but rarely do editors charge by the hour.
Line editing is the second-most expensive kind of editing, second only to developmental editing.
What to look for in a line editor
A line editor should have experience editing books in the genre you’re writing in, a degree in English or an advanced degree in a writing-intensive field or in the field you’re writing in, and enthusiasm for your project.
They should be able to clearly explain what they will do for you and how long it might take.
A line editor should have clear and transparent rates. It always amazes me how many freelancers won’t list their rates!
And they should ask you to sign a contract.
Line editing vs. copy editing
A lower-cost alternative to line editing is copy editing.
Is copy editing the same as line editing?
Technically speaking, these are two different types of editing.
Line editing is focused on readability, engagement, and pacing—it’s focused on the writing style, and it is more subjective.
Copy editing, on the other hand, is more focused on the technical aspects of writing—the spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, etc. (“Copy editing” with two words is the preferred spelling of Merriam-Webster’s, the American Copy Editors Society, and the AP Stylebook, whereas “copyediting” with one word is the preferred spelling used by The Chicago Manual of Style.)
As such, it’s focused on aligning the manuscript with publishing industry standards. In the US, those are typically found in The Chicago Manual of Style and in the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
(To buy the 18th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style published in September 2024, click here. You can buy Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary here.)
Copy editors typically provide a “style sheet” listing the standards applied.
Some line editors ALSO do copy editing (or some editing professionals may even do some line editing as part of what they call copy editing)—and you should ask about this when you’re talking with a prospective editor for your book)—but, budget permitting, copy editing is best done in a separate, later round of edits.
A line editing and copy editing package deal may be available.
Cost of copy editing vs. line editing
Copy editing (again, sometimes spelled copyediting) typically costs less than line editing.
According to the Editorial Freelancers Association’s 2024 Editorial Rates, the average cost of copy editing for fiction books is $0.021 to $0.030/word, and the average cost of copy editing for nonfiction books is $0.030 to $0.040/word for nonfiction.
I found those rates to be a little high; by contrast, Reedsy says that their 2024 data on the cost of hiring a book editor shows the following:
According to Reedsy, the average cost of copy editing for fiction books ranges from $0.0203 to $0.0237/word and is $0.0269 to $0.030/word for nonfiction books.
Reedsy is a platform for experienced freelancers, many of whom have worked in the traditional publishing industry.
Line editing vs. developmental editing
Line editing is different from developmental editing, a bigger-picture edit with an even more zoomed-out view that is more focused on structure, organization, and the various elements of the book and may also include some line editing or aspects of it. Developmental editing is more expensive than line editing.
You could always start with a detailed edit of a single chapter to test out the editor to see if it yields the type of edits and feedback you’re looking for.
Developmental editing costs more than copy editing.
According to the Editorial Freelancers Association’s 2024 rates, the average cost of developmental editing for fiction books ranges from $0.028 to $0.038/word and the average cost of developmental editing for nonfiction books ranges from $0.039 to $0.050/word.
According to Reedsy, the average cost of developmental editing for fiction books ranges from $0.0244 to $0.0289/word, while the average nonfiction developmental editing rate is $0.036 to $0.0417/word.
How long does line editing take?
For a full manuscript, four weeks is the minimum. It may take four to eight weeks.
Like many editors I know, I usually book out a few weeks in advance, and I try to take the projects that best fit my experience and my schedule.
Some editors may book out weeks or even months in advance. Expecting a quick turnaround might be unrealistic, especially if you have a long book (80,000+ words) or are looking to start right away.
So, do I need a line editor?
You need line editing if . . .
you’ve finished the manuscript, and you want to make sure your sentences are clearly written and flow nicely;
you want to make sure the sentences are strung together in a way that makes your book readable and engaging and keeps the reader’s attention; and
you want to ensure that it has a consistent tone that conveys what you’re trying to convey.
You might NOT need a line editor if . . .
you’re working with a copy editor who includes line editing in his/her/their services;
you’re an experienced author or someone with extensive writing experience;
your book is already under contract with a traditional publisher, and you feel things are going well.
You just don’t have the money, and you’re going to at least hire a copy editor.
Another alternative to line editing is to bring on beta readers to read and comment on your manuscript, and then hire a copy editor.
Final thoughts on line editing and hiring a line editor for your manuscript
Line editing doesn’t come cheap, but it can be a great investment and a great learning experience.
You can always start with a single chapter or with a manuscript assessment to see if you want to invest more fully.
Hiring a line editor helps you improve your sentence structure and flow and makes it more readable. But beyond that, line editing shows you how to adjust your pacing, tone, and voice.
After working with a line editor, you’ll know how to better communicate—effectively, clearly, and for a sustained period—with your reader.
What to do next
Get a line editing or copyediting quote or get a quote for my other editing services for nonfiction authors in the US.