Professional book editing services

The right service depends on the stage of your manuscript and the type of feedback you’re looking for. Our overview of the different types of book editing services explains what each service covers and when to use it.

If you want big-picture guidance on elements such as plot, pacing, structure, character development and marketability, a Manuscript Assessment is a great place to start.

If you’d like more in-depth support, including detailed editorial feedback added directly to your manuscript, along with a follow-up call with your editor, a Developmental Edit offers our most comprehensive level of editorial guidance. The depth of feedback is comparable to the editorial support authors can expect when working with a Big Five publisher.

If your manuscript is already structurally strong and you’re focusing on clarity, accuracy, style and polishing the text itself, our Copy-Editing, Line-Editing and Proofreading services can help prepare your work for submission or publication.

Not sure what service is right for you? Our team can help you choose the service that’s the best fit for your manuscript and goals.

After purchasing your preferred editorial service, you’ll receive an email containing a link to a submission form where you can upload your manuscript. For more information on how to submit your manuscript, click here. 

If you’ve already identified the editor(s) you’d prefer to work with, then you’ll be able to let us know this in the submission form. If you don’t know which editor is ‘best’, then please get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to advise on your options. Once you’ve submitted your manuscript via the form, we’ll aim to match you with the most suitable editor within 2-4 working days and confirm your editor by email.  

Turnaround times vary depending on the service you’ve purchased and can be found on each service’s page. In general turnaround times range from 2 weeks to 4 weeks, with developmental editing the exception at 6 weeks. If you’ve agreed an alternative turnaround with your editor, we’ll confirm this by email. 

Once your service is complete, your editor will send your report and/or edited manuscript directly to you. 

Around a week after you’ve received your feedback, we’ll get in touch with an editorial client survey. This is an opportunity for us to check in, see how you’re getting on, and find out whether there’s anything else we can support you with. In some cases, we’ll also offer to arrange a follow-up call to help you work through your feedback and plan your next steps. 

It’s important to remember that all editorial feedback is subjective. What one person considers publication-ready, another may see as a work in progress. However, what all of our editors have in common is a commitment to helping you develop your manuscript into the strongest, most marketable version of itself, and a book you can be proud of. 

Once you’ve purchased your editorial service, you’ll receive an automated email containing a link to our online submission form. If you don’t receive the email, please check your spam or junk folder before contacting us at editorial@jerichowriters.com.

The submission form will ask for information about you and your manuscript, including:

• Contact details
• Manuscript title
• Genre
• Word count
• Publishing goals
• Writing experience
• Any editor preferences
• Specific questions you’d like your editor to consider
• Content warnings or trigger topics

You’ll also be asked to upload the documents required for your chosen service.

To help your editor review your work efficiently, please submit your manuscript as a Word document and ensure it:

• Has numbered pages
• Uses double line spacing
• Uses a clear, readable font (such as Times New Roman, 12pt)
• Includes indented paragraphs
• Uses page breaks where appropriate

If you’d like to choose a specific editor, please see our guide to selecting an editor.

We’ll carefully match you with the editor we believe is best suited to your manuscript, genre, goals and stage of development. When selecting an editor, we consider factors such as your genre, word count, publishing objectives, any specific questions you’ve asked, and the type of feedback you’re looking for.

Once we’ve assigned your editor, we’ll confirm their details by email, usually within 2-4 working days of receiving your submission.

All of our editors are experienced publishing professionals with extensive industry expertise, and many have worked for major publishers, literary agencies or as bestselling authors themselves. While every editor brings their own perspective and strengths, they all share a commitment to helping writers develop stronger, more marketable manuscripts.

If you’d like to learn more about the editors we work with, you can browse our editor profiles here.

If you have a preferred editor in mind, you’re welcome to request them when completing your submission form. We’ll do our best to accommodate requests, subject to availability and suitability for your project.

The cost of our editorial services depends on the service you choose and, for some services, the length of your manuscript.

To make things easy, each service page includes pricing information and an instant quote calculator for services that are based on wordcount, allowing you to see the cost of your service before you purchase.

If you’re a Jericho Writers Premium Member, you’ll receive 10% off all editorial services.

We know that investing in professional editorial feedback is a significant commitment to your writing journey. If you have concerns about cost, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly. We’ll be happy to discuss the payment options available and help you find an approach that works for you.

If you’re unsure which service is right for your manuscript, please see our “What editorial service is right for me?“ FAQ or get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

Yes. Sample reports are available on many of our editorial service pages, giving you an insight into the type and depth of feedback you can expect to receive.

If you can’t find a sample report for the service you’re interested in, or if you’d like to see additional examples, please get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to provide sample reports where available and answer any questions you may have about our services or the feedback process.

Please note that our sample reports are based on real editorial feedback provided for real manuscripts. To protect the privacy of our clients and their work, we have redacted or removed any identifying information, as well as key manuscript content where necessary. This means the examples accurately reflect the quality and style of feedback you can expect, while respecting the confidentiality of the authors involved.

Editorial feedback is always subjective, and no two editors will respond to a manuscript in exactly the same way. While our editors draw on their professional publishing experience and industry knowledge, their feedback should be viewed as guidance rather than a set of changes you must make.

We encourage authors to take time to reflect on their feedback and consider which suggestions best align with their vision for the book. Often, the most valuable insights come from identifying recurring themes rather than implementing every individual recommendation.

If you have questions about your feedback, or there’s something you’re unsure about, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to discuss your concerns and, where appropriate, help you understand the editor’s comments and consider your next steps. For additional guidance on how to turn editorial feedback into action, editor and literary agent Megan Carroll shares practical advice on getting the most from your editorial report.

Our goal is always to provide constructive, professional feedback that helps you move your manuscript closer to your publishing goals, while recognising that the final creative decisions remain yours.

An editorial assessment, such as a manuscript assessment or developmental edit, focuses on the bigger picture. Your editor will read your manuscript and provide a detailed report on areas such as plot, structure, pacing, character development, point of view, voice, marketability and overall strengths and weaknesses. The feedback is designed to help you understand what’s working well and identify the changes that will have the greatest impact on your manuscript.

A Line Edit and Copy Edit focus on the writing itself. Rather than providing only a report, your editor will work directly on your manuscript, making comments and suggested changes throughout the text.

• Line Editing focuses on style, flow, clarity, tone and readability. It helps you strengthen your prose and ensure your writing is as engaging and effective as possible.
• Copy Editing focuses on technical accuracy, consistency, grammar, punctuation, spelling and syntax, helping to prepare your manuscript for agents, publishers or publication.

If you’re still developing your story, structure or characters, an editorial assessment is often the best place to start. If you’re confident in your manuscript’s overall shape and want help refining the writing, a line edit or copy edit may be more appropriate. Whichever service you choose, you’ll get the greatest value from professional feedback if you learn how to self-edit your manuscript before submitting it for editorial review.

If you’re unsure which service is right for you, we’re always happy to help you choose the option that best matches your manuscript and goals.