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Essential Editing

Copy Editing and Proofreading for Your Book

Copy editing and proofreading correct language errors, improve consistency and catch typos in your manuscript. TUW's Essential Editing covers spelling, grammar, punctuation, word choice and sentence flow.

Essential EditingI need someone to catch the errors.$2.30per 100 words
Line EditingMy sentences don't read as clearly as I'd like.$2.70per 100 wordsDevelopmental EditingI'm not sure my book holds together.$3.10per 100 words
Post your project, then review the profiles of editors who request it. You choose who edits your manuscript.
4.9/5Average customer quality rating
42,000+Completed orders involving our editors
24,000+Books written by TUW

What editing customers say

Read what customers say about working with our editors. Their 10,853 quality ratings average 4.9 out of 5.

Genevieve is a dream to work with. She's an excellent communicator and has the attention to detail you wish for your editor to possess. She is willing to answer questions and collaborate. I'm working with her on another manuscript too, and she is consistently wonderful. Thank you, Genevieve!
Darnah M.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Anaya did a wonderful job editing my project. I appreciated her efficiency, positive suggestions, timeliness, and great communication. She was positive in her responses and encouraging andkind in her suggestions. I would definitely use her skills in future projects. Thanks again!!
Kristine B.Copy editing and proofreading customer
It was an absolute pleasure working with Frankie! He is professional, responsive, and very detail-oriented. His clear communication and willingness to make adjustments made the entire process smooth and efficient. I’d be happy to work with him again.
Suraksha L.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Jazz Min is absolutely fantastic!! She makes thoughtful improvements and I feel absolutely confident in her skills. She is a great communicator and just wonderful to work with! Highly recommend!!
lizallenCopy editing and proofreading customer
Jazz Min was amazing from beginning to end. She made my manuscript amazing and went above and beyond. I would definitely work with her again in future projects and I 100% recommend her!
Gemma W.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Rylynn is absolutely amazing! She took a somewhat difficult project with multiple issues and made it perfect! We communicated throughout the project, and she always showed a high level of professionalism, cooperation, communication, and expertise. Rylynn is my go-to person for all my editing needs!
Diana E.Copy editing and proofreading customer
What a fantastic editor! I hope to use her many more times! She offered suggestions above and beyond basic editing, and her efforts made my book a better product. I'm a little leary of wanting to give her such high marks for fear that her schedule will fill with other projects, but I'll take my chances. She is Simply the Best. Paul
Paul M.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Truly, an outstanding editor, that I would love to work with again in the future! She was very accommodating and communicative, which are two qualities I highly value and connect with. She made sure throughout the whole process I had exactly what I needed, and I couldn’t recommend her enough!
Matthew H.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Clara was a breeze to work with. Super thorough and professional. Brought up some points that I hadn't thought of. I will definitely be working with her again.
Michele F.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Luna made the process incredibly easy and she was great to work with! I highly recommend her!
Briana W.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Elizabeth's editorial work on "Project: Becoming Unapologetically You" is outstanding. Her keen eye for detail, impeccable grammar, and ability to enhance the narrative have truly brought this project to life. Her dedication to excellence shines through, making it a remarkable and inspiring read. Kudos to Elizabeth!
Tanjela H.Copy editing and proofreading customer
Bailey is a joy to work with. I can't wait for our next project together!
Shelia B.Copy editing and proofreading customer

How your editing project works

Post a Project

Post your project for free. Editors request to work with you, and you choose from their profiles. You'll see your price before paying.

1

Post your manuscript details

Share your word count, audience, themes and whether you've edited the manuscript yourself.

Word count52,000
English variantUK
Standard price$2.30
2

Choose your editor

Editors request your project. Review their profiles and choose who you want to work with.

Evelyn Waters★ 4.94Choose editor
Frankie Van Wyk★ 4.93Choose editor
Genevieve Wilcox★ 4.97Choose editor
3

Follow the edits

Your editor works in a live online document. Follow along and chat as the work progresses.

The letters was were hidden beneath the loose floorboard.

CustomerDoes this sentence make it clear who's speaking?
4

Review your manuscript

Approve the manuscript or highlight text and leave comments for editing revisions.

After the storm passed, Mara opened the shutters.

Request revisionApprove edit

You choose your editor

Browse editors

Editors request your project. Review their profiles, ratings and completed orders, then choose your editor.

See what changes in an edit

Fiction sampleWe wrote this paragraph for this page to show the kinds of changes editing covers.

Mara checked the adressaddress1 on the envelope. Her hands waswere1 cold. Inside the station,2 she found tehthe2 bench where her brother had told her to wait. The silence had a strange affecteffect3 on her. She took a step backward in a backward direction.backward.4 Then she hearsheard5 a key turn behind the ticket window. "Wait here,"6 a voice said. She folded the envelope and sat down, keeping her eyes on the door.

Choose the editing your manuscript needs

Copy editing and proofreadingEssential EditingLine EditingDevelopmental Editing
What it fixesSpelling, grammar, punctuation, typos and consistencyFlow, clarity, wording, copy editing and proofreading.Comments throughout your manuscript plus a written assessment.
When to chooseYour manuscript needs cleanupYour sentences need workYour structure needs work
Per 100 words$2.30$2.70$3.10
50,000 words$1,150$1,350$1,550

Copy editing and proofreadingEssential Editing

What it fixes
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, typos and consistency
When to choose
Your manuscript needs cleanup
Per 100 words
$2.30
50,000 words
$1,150

Line Editing

What it fixes
Flow, clarity, wording, copy editing and proofreading.
When to choose
Your sentences need work
Per 100 words
$2.70
50,000 words
$1,350

Developmental Editing

What it fixes
Comments throughout your manuscript plus a written assessment.
When to choose
Your structure needs work
Per 100 words
$3.10
50,000 words
$1,550

Freelance copy editing vs. TUW Essential Editing

Compare the price, what's included and how you'll follow the work. Freelance services and timelines vary by editor.

Freelance copy editorTUW Essential Editing
Price per wordTypically 2 to 4 cents2.3 cents, or 2.1 cents for Insider members
ProofreadingUsually a separate pass and feeIncluded with copy editing
Typical turnaround3 to 6 weeksAbout 11 days
Following the workVaries by editorLive online document, comments and chat

Sources: Editorial Freelancers Association 2026 rate chart and industry guides. TUW turnaround reflects the median of recent orders.

See how TUW prices compare with freelance editing rates for an 80,000-word book.

Ready to clean up your book

Your manuscript is nearly finished

You've written the material and want help with language, consistency and errors. Essential Editing covers that cleanup.

You've edited it yourself

You've worked through your draft and want your editor to check spelling, grammar, punctuation and typos.

You want to stay involved

Follow edits in a live online document and chat with your editor. Review the manuscript and leave comments for editing revisions, which exclude new content.

Included when TUW writes your book

Every TUW Book Writing order includes Essential Editing, which covers copy editing and proofreading for your book.

View Book Writing →

What needs a separate service

  • Rewriting or adding material needs a separate writing package.
  • Book formatting needs a separate formatting service.

Three ways to get started

Post your project

Posting is free. Review the editors who request your project and choose who you'll work with.

Post a project
Word count52,000
English variantUK
Standard price$2.30

Browse our editors

Browse editor profiles with ratings and completed orders before choosing your editor.

Browse editors

Book Writing

Every TUW Book Writing order includes Essential Editing.

Explore packages
Essential Editing included

Common questions

What is the difference between copy editing and proofreading?

Copy editing addresses grammar, word choice, sentence flow and consistency. Proofreading checks spelling, punctuation and typos. TUW's Essential Editing includes copy editing and proofreading for your manuscript.

How much does book proofreading cost at TUW?

TUW's Essential Editing combines book proofreading and copy editing at $2.30 per 100 words, or $2.10 for Insider members. At the standard rate, a 50,000-word manuscript costs $1,150. You pay per word, and your word count and price appear before payment.

How long does copy editing a book take?

TUW's copy editing and proofreading typically comes back about 11 days after you order, based on the median for recent orders. Industry guides put a typical copy edit at 3 to 6 weeks.

How does TUW's price compare with typical copy editing rates?

Freelance copy editing alone typically costs about 2 to 4 cents a word, according to the Editorial Freelancers Association's 2026 rate chart. TUW charges $2.30 per 100 words (2.3 cents a word) for copy editing and proofreading together.

Is editing included when TUW writes my book?

Yes, every TUW Book Writing order includes Essential Editing. This includes copy editing and proofreading for the book your TUW writer writes.

Can I choose US or UK English for my book?

Yes, you can choose US or UK English for your manuscript. Select your preference on the order form when you post your project.

Can I choose my own editor?

Yes, editors request your project after you post your manuscript details. You review their profiles and choose an editor. Once work begins, you can follow edits in the live online document and chat with them.

Get your manuscript edited