How Much Does an Editor Cost for a Children’s Book?

If you have finished writing your children’s book, then congratulations, you have completed the most challenging part of your journey as an author. Now you need to move to the editing stage.

You may have dealt with every challenge on your own, but seeking professional help in editing is never a bad idea. An expert book editor will improve your manuscript’s clarity, consistency, and marketability to appeal to readers.

In this blog, we will discuss the significance of a children’s book editor, types of editing, factors that influence pricing, and how to set a budget for a children’s book editor. Without further ado, let us get started.

The Role of a Children’s Book Editor

We understand why you may be hesitant in hiring a childrens book editor in UK. Many new authors fear that an editor will change the theme, story, or voice of their manuscript. But that is not true.

An experienced editor will always try to understand your perspective. They will grasp the main idea of the book and convey it through their writing style. They will also remove any spelling and grammatical mistakes that you may have missed.

Therefore, hiring an editor does not equate to compromising on your book’s messaging. They will help you establish credibility and authority in the literary society.

Types of Editing Services

To understand what sort of editing you require, here are some popular editing services to choose from:

Developmental Editing

Developmental editing is the most comprehensive and expensive. The editing is done at a high level and focuses on your book’s content, coherence, and structure.

The editor will focus on the overall structure and information of your book. They will also improve the manuscript’s flow, pacing, and character development.

While the pricing depends on various factors (discussed ahead), you can expect to spend somewhere from $3000 to over $8000.  

Copy Editing

Copy editing refers to the meticulous review and correction of grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and flow of your manuscript. It also involves simplifying confusing sentences, reducing vagueness, and breaking up long paragraphs.

This type of editing ensures that your book remains consistent and error-free throughout. Copy editing, as compared to developmental editing, is less costly. It typically ranges from $1500 to around $3000.

Proofreading

This is the final step to your book publication. During this process, the editor will read your manuscript deeply to look out for any hidden errors that you have not noticed.

You can either hire an editor, proofread yourself, or consult children’s book publishers for better results. These publishers are well aware of the guidelines needed to publish a children’s book. Proofreading services may cost you from $500 to $3000.

Factors that Influence the Editing Costs

While we did provide you with a cost breakdown of each editing service, these prices are subject to change and depend on the following factors:

Experience Level

To be clear, the more experienced the editor is, the higher they will charge. But this goes without saying that an experienced editor is most likely to refine your manuscript better than you or an inexperienced writer.

Yes, you can edit your book. But what you cannot get is honest feedback regarding your manuscript. So, if you change your perspective and think of editors as an investment rather than an expense, it will surely bring you value for money in the future.

Length and Complexity

Another factor that can vary the cost of editing is how long or short your book is and its complexity level. Books that are simple or short take less time in editing, which means the editor will charge less money.

On the other hand, long books with complicated themes can take weeks or months to be edited. Therefore, the price rises as the pages and word count increase.

Genre-Specific Variations

Honestly, a children’s book will cost you more for editing. That is because the editor will be precise in their approach to ensure that the book is easy to read and understand for kids.

They will also be careful with using inappropriate language or complicated terms. However, if it is a fictional children’s book, then the cost would be lower. If it is non-fiction, then that requires the editor to spend time researching and fact-checking, therefore increasing the cost.

Budgeting for an Editor

Since you know the necessity behind hiring an editor, let us give you some tips to create a realistic budget. Firstly, you need to know what type of editing your manuscript needs. Doing so will already prepare you for how much will be spent.

Also, do not forget about the hidden costs. They could be extra services like formatting or additional revisions.

Next, start looking for the right editor for your book. You can ask for referrals from fellow authors. You can also look into social media groups or freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.

Once you select a few potential editors, look into their client testimonials. Focus on them to get an idea of what type of work they will provide and how your overall experience with them will be.

We also urge you to ask for samples. Their work will speak for itself. Finally, discuss your budget with them openly, negotiate with them, and reach a middle ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does editing a children’s book take?

Editing can take you weeks to months for completion, depending on whether it is a picture or a chapter book.

Can I skip developmental editing to save money?

Skipping developmental editing may reduce costs, but it can later lead to larger revisions for you, which is both time-consuming and difficult.

Are children’s book editing costs different from adult books?

Yes, editing a children’s book needs specialized expertise and precision, which can directly affect pricing.

Invest Wisely in Children’s Book Editing

It is important for you to know how much editing services would cost and why. It will help you set aside a dedicated budget. Also, hiring an editor is an essential step to complete your book the right way.

If you want to be taken seriously as an author, then you need to collaborate with an editor. Together, you two can turn your book from good to great and create a book that generates revenue and brings you recognition.

So do not wait any longer, hire an editor now!