Don't entrust the contents of your important publication to your cousin! Always get a professional editor to proofread your manuscript or publication. Yes, relatives and friends my be helpful in reading over your work, but why take chances when we are qualified, experienced editors. We can find those small, inconspicuous errors that may cause big problems.

Choose the editing approach that serves your book

Every manuscript is different. BWP offers three overall editing levels for work that calls for a combination of corrections, as well as individual services when an author has a specific editorial goal. We confirm the appropriate scope after reviewing the writing.

Overall BWP editing levels

  • Basic Editing: Word-level mechanics, spelling, punctuation and light corrections in an otherwise stable manuscript.
  • Moderate Editing: Sentence-level grammar, clarity, flow and agreed copy/line-level corrections within one editing engagement.
  • Comprehensive Editing: An integrated editing engagement that may include developmental work, paragraph-level coherence and ideas, copyediting and proofreading, as contracted.

These levels are alternatives, not three consecutive fees. If one engagement includes multiple kinds of correction, we establish one overall editing scope and rate without charging for overlapping work twice.

When you want one particular service

  • Developmental Editing: Guidance on the book's concept, content, structure, audience, chapter direction and the material that belongs in the book. This may begin before a full manuscript exists.
  • Copyediting or Line Editing: A specifically scoped pass focused on correctness, clarity, language and voice.
  • Final Proofreading: A separately commissioned last check when content and substantive edits have been approved.
  • Substantive Editing: Intensive, high-level editing of a complete or nearly complete draft that needs significant organizational or content revision. We examine its overall structure, argument or central ideas, supporting evidence, logic, flow, pacing, and audience-appropriate voice; provide detailed feedback; and may reorganize, expand, remove, or rewrite paragraphs and sections within the agreed scope. Limited clarifying research may be included. $0.07–$0.08 per word, subject to professional review; not full ghostwriting or open-ended fact-checking.

Our calculator provides an information-based preliminary estimate when enough project details and an approved pricing basis are available. Final editorial scope and pricing require professional review; standalone developmental work and projects requiring tailored services receive an individualized proposal.

Our complimentary preliminary review can help identify likely next steps from a project brief and representative sample of up to approximately 1,000 words. A detailed written manuscript assessment is a separate service. Provide your actual or projected word count and, when relevant, your design specifications.

Have questions about getting work done on your manuscript, dissertation or publication? We may have already answered it. Read answers to our most frequently asked questions. One of them could be your question.

Let's Get Started

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