book editing and proofreading services

Flawless Book Editing for Authors

Publishing a book that doesn’t sell, or worse – gets bad reviews – isn’t fun. It’s all right for your friends to flatter you and tell you everything looks great. But you need a book editor who isn’t afraid to use a lot of red ink. Sometimes, to fix a manuscript, you need to cut off an arm or a leg.

Our proofreading, editing and manuscript review packages are specifically tailored to help you publish the best possible version of your story.

THE BOOK BUTCHERS are insanely talented book editors with decades of experience trimming meat from fat, separating skin from flesh, exact anatomical knowledge of fiction and non-fiction writing, and the right tools and techniques for each precision cut. We help fiction and non-fiction authors perfect their manuscript and publish books that readers will love.

More red ink. Fewer typos.

If you’re looking for professional book editing services from senior industry insiders, and another set of eyes to pay particular attention to your project, look no further. Besides editing, we can also answer all your questions about the publishing process, and get you started building your author platform – whether you  plan to seek out a traditional publisher, or self-publish professionally on your own.

Welcome

editors

professional book editor

OUR EDITORS are confident, calculated, experienced and ruthless. We tend to look for people with at least an MA in Literature and 2 years of full-time book editing experience, but will also give editors a chance if they’ve edited at least 10 books and can provide references from happy clients; or if they’re successful authors themselves who have published several books.

But we only give them a chance

Although we hire the world’s best editors, we still make them compete for the work by having them send you a personalized trial edit, in an arena of trial-by-fire, only the best survive, copy editing combat.

This method separates the wheat from the chaff, as the absolute best editors will get work, and the talented, but not amazing, will have to seek employment from a less demanding company. This also lets you get to know them, compare their notes and improvements, and ensure you get the best editor for your book.

OUR SERVICES

We've carefully structured our packages to maximize value for every budget.

You want to publish quickly and on the cheap (or, you’re just looking for a final proofread)

 

A basic hack and slash: we’ll proofread, catch typos, small errors, fix grammar, trim sentences, remove repetition, flag some larger issues, but mostly get it ready for publishing and make sure it’s clean and shiny.

Unlike most other basic “proofreading” packages, ours includes copy-editing where needed, light revision, rewriting and improved word choice, as well as a one page summary of some big picture issues that can be improved. If we see something that looks bad, we’ll fix it – but we won’t wrack our brains trying to solve bigger issues like plotting, character motivation, story architecture, etc.

$0.02/word.

NEW: Check out our literary services!

You want to improve the story, and need more guidance and constructive criticism

 

ROUND ONE: We’ll start with a manuscript review and structural edit, with a detailed read-through to identify any major problems, boring parts that need trimming, conclusions that can be made stronger, suggestions for rewrites, plot improvements or problems, focusing on the story arc and structural analysis. We’ll ask lots of questions and provide tips and recommendations. Your editor will be like a personal writing coach. We’ll send an editorial report on the big issues that can be improved, with tons of specific comments to improve your draft. After you’ve rewritten to your satisfaction, we’ll move on to part two.

ROUND TWO: an in-depth, comprehensive, line-edit that includes rewriting sentences, improving word choice, organization, plotting and pacing. We’ll make the dialogue stronger and more believable, the action more tense and nail-biting, and the emotional peaks less melodramatic and cheesy. For non-fiction, we’ll strengthen your argument and make the writing more engaging.

Anything that can’t be easily fixed, we’ll flag or comment as something that could be improved.

The result will be a very clean and much improved manuscript, but with lots of comments and suggestions, which will probably require some rewriting and extra work on your part. Getting back a heavily edited manuscript like this can be challenging, but know that it will drastically improve your writing skills and help you identify your weaknesses. During the revision process, it’s possible to create new consistency issues, which is why we recommend a final proofread or at least some beta-readers to help finalize your manuscript.

$0.04/word.

Not sure what you need? Check out our literary services!

You’re committed to producing a masterpiece, no matter what it takes

 

ROUND ONE: (Same as in “Extra Bloody”)

ROUND TWO: (Same as in “Extra Bloody”)

ROUND THREE: A final round of proofreading to improve your rewritten or reworked sections, after you’ve had time to reflect on and incorporate our suggestions and comments. We’ll eliminate any remaining typos, errors, or inconsistencies.

This is basically like the “Quick Kill” service – or proofreading on steroids, and again we’ll hack, slash, rewrite, fix, tweak and improve anything we can, but this time we won’t comment on the bigger picture, and we’ll really hone down on the little details, eliminate repetition, trim the writing, and make sure everything is as good as it can be.

If you accepted all of our changes in the last round, but didn’t revise or rewrite any of the issues we flagged, there may not be much for us to do in this round – but it’ll be worth it even if we only catch a handful of typos. $0.06/word.

NEW: Check out our literary services!

Your manuscript is lifeless, but you don’t know where to start…

 

Due to popular demand, we’re adding a low-cost manuscript review + passive developmental edit to help you find and fix the “cause of death” before you invest in editing or proofreading. You’ll get expert eyes on your manuscript, and while we won’t focus on or fix every little issue, we’ll help you identify the big red flags that are killing your book slowly. These are the places readers will give up and agents will ditch your manuscript into the slush pile. In-depth comments and suggestions will be provided to help you clarify and restructure your book, but this feedback is “hands-off”: we won’t go in and actually make changes, though we will point out signs of weak writing, repetition, and provide tips on how to improve as a writer. If you think your manuscript might be a mess, or you want to focus on the large, important stuff that matters most, this is for you.

$0.01/word.

Need an autopsy? Click here to get started!

FIRST CHAPTER CRITIQUE – HOOK YOUR READERS

 

Whether they’ve received a free review copy or paid to purchase your book, the majority of readers will only give it 5 pages to hook their interest. If they don’t care about the characters, don’t understand what’s happening, or are turned off by the presentation of material, they’ll put your book down and never pick it up again.

It is critical that your first chapter sucks them in and keeps them reading. There’s no use editing the full book if you lose readers in the first chapter.

We’ve set up a unique “first chapter critique” service which includes up to 5,000 words (which should actually include 2~3 chapters… or a prologue, preface or intro). This will be a deconstructive developmental edit, pointing out exactly where your weaknesses lie and what you can do to make them better, but will not include a full edit or proofread. We will, however, edit your blurb, bio or query, as long as they fit within the 5K word limit.

$297 – one time fee.

Interested in this service? Click here!

GHOSTWRITING SERVICES

 

Our top-notch editing services will preserve your voice, while improving your writing as much as possible. But sometimes we wish we could just grab the pen and write it for you. True writing mastery can take decades to earn, so even though we can point out flaws and suggest ways to improve, we could still make it better if we had the freedom to rewrite more heavily. Some of our clients wanted more than an editor or writing coach; they wanted a writing partner who could help them get the book over the finish line. And since I also know most ghostwriters are rubbish, I’ve decided to offer these high-level services to help those who need them.

I’m still working on the clever names for these.

Dueling Pistols (cowriting) – $0.12 cents per word.

Includes all our normal levels but with much heavier rewriting and revision, including story development. You can expect roughly 25% of new or rewritten content.

The Big Bang (ghostwriting) – $0.25 cents per word.

You will have an idea, an outline, a collection of post-it notes, yellowing binders of autobiographical anecdotes, rough scenes or sections or blog posts, or recorded videos talking through your ideas. We’ll help you develop it, organize it and write it. We’ll even include a book cover that will triple your sales, compared to the ugly ones other “writing gurus” are offering with their expensive publishing packages.

Let us know if you’re interested in this service when you submit your sample.

services

book butchers editing developmental

Timothy Lyon Jr

``After I discovered Book Butchers, I was determined to have my book edited by one of their own. To my surprise I was not just buying an editor, I was receiving a teacher. My knowledge and skill has manifested tremendously in one short month to a level I never saw coming. Thank you for the amazing help and support.``

Terry Coffey

``I feel I am one of the lucky ones to have discovered The Book Butchers. I could not have had a better editor for my particular genre and I am beyond thrilled with the end results. Suggestion: Give my editor a raise. He deserves it!``

PRICING

  • The Quick Kill

    $.02 per word Proofreading Copy-editing Fix spelling and grammar Sales copy/summary revision Organization and content Plot and pacing Manuscript Review Formatting (print and ebook) Pre-publication proofread

  • Extra Bloody

    $.04 per word Proofreading Comprehensive Line Edit Fix spelling and grammar Sales copy/summary revision Organization and content Plot and pacing Manuscript Critique Formatting (print and ebook) Pre-publication proofread

  • The Perfect Murder

    $.06 per word Proofreading Fix spelling and grammar Developmental Editing Sales copy/summary revision Organization and content Plot and pacing Manuscript Critique Structural integrity Pre-publication proofread

 

Publishing Support

Premium book formatting templates from www.DIYBookFormats.com. Format your book for print and ebook. $47 Value.

Book cover templates from www.DIYBookCovers.com. Learn how to design covers that sell. $87 Value.

Build a bestselling author platform that runs on autopilot. Learn how with this course on book marketing. $197 Value.

 

 

Why Choose Us?

Three reasons we're the best choice for your book.

#1. ACCOUNTABILITY: Anybody can call themselves an editor these days, but even if they have the right skills, it doesn’t mean they’ll do a good job. I’ve heard too many horror stories of editors who ghosted clients or provided shoddy work, leaving writers out of pocket with no recourse for a refund. We have one of the best refund policies in the industry and take personal responsibility for every project, which means – if clients aren’t happy with the work, we’ll do everything in our power to fix it.

#2. YOUR BEST BOOK: nearly every other copy editor or editing service focuses on the writing and the mistakes. They will improve the flow of the words and sentences, and they will make it better, but they won’t fix the major problems with content. Our editors have been trained in the Write Good BooksTM method to make sure your book is commercially sound and will resonate with your audience on a deeper level. For nonfiction we focus on branding, credibility, trust, so your readers will take action and see results. For fiction, we focus on universal story telling principles, plot structure, dramatic tension and suspense, and world-building. Because a clean book isn’t always a good book.

#3. 99% ACCURACY: We use a unique two-tiered process, implementing the latest in machine-learning software and manual expertise to make sure your book is 99% clean of typos and errors (the standard benchmark for editing is 95% accuracy, but we’re not comfortable leaving 5% of your mistakes).

 

expertise

book editing services for authors

storycraft

 

LET US PROVE IT

Choosing an editor is a big decision. We want to make it easy.

Send us a sample of your book. Our caffeine-fueled, eagle-eyed editors will go through it and then email you with their comments and suggestions. You can ask them any questions you want. They will look for…

  • Typos and grammatical errors
  • Spelling and word choice issues
  • Punctuation and style
  • Word choice, clarity and flow
  • Big picture story structure
  • Plot holes & potential issues
  • Strong narrative voice
  • Audience and genre conventions
  • Sense of purpose and direction
  • Weak writing and characters
  • Sentence structure and craft
  • Consistency and continuity

If your writing is already clean, then they’ll discuss bigger picture things with you, like theme, concept, purpose, audience, potential market and branding (including title, subtitle, and tagline or elevator pitch).

Once you feel comfortable and confident in an editor’s expertise, skill and knowledge, and are ready to move ahead, we’ll send an invoice for the first half of the total word count so the editor can get started. We’ll charge the rest when the project is close to completion.

Bryce Podgorsek

``My editor went above and beyond to help me perfect this manuscript and has answered all my questions! It's been a great experience and I've learned a ton! If I ever encounter someone who is looking for an editor, I will be sure to recommend you guys!``

Brett Merrill

``I actually googled book editing without breaking the bank. Haha the website was awesome and the descriptions of the edits were funny. I sent samples to a few different places as well, but your customer service made me choose Book Butchers. I felt like you genuinely cared about my book.``

Editing Stats

We edit a lot of books.

Happy Clients

Books Edited

Pages Read

Cups of Coffee

book editor proofreading critique
book editor proofreading manuscript critique
book editor proofreading manuscript critique

Go ahead - we dare you!

Send a sample of your book and get a free trial edit from several of our amazing editors. You don't pay until you're happy. Please include as much information as possible: (genre | budget or service level | estimated length)



    Please check the boxes:

    Please submit a WORD file we can edit and make comments on, rather than a PDF.

    *** We have 15 editors and receive over 100 submissions a month. Unfortunately this means we accept less than 25% of projects. If you don’t hear back from us within a week, our editors are probably busy with other projects. ***

    checklist

    book editing checklist

    IS YOUR BOOK READY FOR EDITING?

    Even if a book is well-written, and even if it’s been edited professionally, success isn’t guaranteed. Publishing success is partly about branding and design, partly about getting in front of readers so they can start reading, and mainly about whether you satisfy their expectations and over-deliver on genre conventions. We want to do more than simply edit or proofread your book. We want to help you make sure readers love it. But the sad truth is, most submissions we receive are nowhere near ready to publish, and are suffering from common but easily avoidable first-time author mistakes. How does YOUR book measure up?

    FIND OUT NOW

     

    Ps. We have a free course on self-editing and tons of writing and publishing tips. But the fastest way to get started is to book a first chapter critique. You’ll get immediate feedback on your first 5000 words, so you know exactly how close you are to publishing a marketable book and can plan accordingly. Even if you don’t choose us as your go-to book editors, you’ll receive invaluable feedback you can use to improve your book’s critical first few chapters.

     

     

    Dr. George A. Munger PhD

    ''The agents I met in the publishing industry did nothing but side-step my requests for evaluation. It is now evident to me that the rubric which measures whether your book is sell-able or dead in the water, is literary experience. Your analysis combined honest evaluation with the goal being to produce a better book. I believe, this type of feedback is essential to ANYONE. Your insight has proved invaluable.''

    Matt Terrill

    ''They live up to their name! Book Butchers hacked away at some loose points in my story. They aren't afraid to tell you when something isn't working, and that's exactly what you want! Thanks to their revisions and story-related comments, I have a much better chance of getting my foot in the door with a publisher.''