What Does a Book Editor Do in 2025? A Writer’s Guide to Getting the Right Help

Wondering if you need a book editor? Learn what book editors really do in 2025 and how to find the right one to bring your manuscript to life.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

Contents:

• Book editing: defining the role
• Benefits of having a book editor (even in the age of AI)
• Types of editors for books
• Do I need a book editor? 7 ways to tell 
• How much does it cost to hire a book editor?
• How to hire a book editor

Book editing: defining the role in 2025

A book editor helps you prepare your manuscript for publication. As the publishing landscape evolves, so does the role of a book editor. In 2025, editors help with polishing language and ensuring consistency across a text, as well as offer more strategic input on structure, voice, and marketability. 

Depending on their specific role and focus area, editors offer varying levels of involvement in a text:

• At the deepest level, an editor might help you develop your book idea from the ground up and stay with you through the entire writing process. In this case, they're like project managers, helping you navigate all the moving parts, from plotting and outlining, developing characters, and building scenes and chapters, to revising effectively and seeking publication.
• Editors now also advise on how your book will fit within current market trends and audience expectations, all while keeping an eye on the future of publishing, which is increasingly influenced by AI-assisted tools, hybrid models, and rapidly changing reader preferences.
• With less involvement, an editor might simply proofread a nearly complete manuscript, correcting typos and grammar errors before you self-publish or pitch your work to literary agents.

In every case, think of a book editor as an expert pair of eyes, helping you spot opportunities to develop and refine your work, not only to strengthen the writing itself, but also to position your book in the market.

Benefits of having a book editor (even in the age of AI)

Even in the age of AI writing—when tools can identify content gaps, spot errors, and even perform literary analysis of full manuscripts in a matter of seconds—it's vitally important to get human input on your book before publishing, especially when it comes to higher-level elements like voice, pacing, and emotional impact, where nuance and subjectivity come into play.

Here's what a human editor brings to the table:

Authentic and nuanced feedback on your book's emotional impact

How did your work make them feel? Here, they take on the perspective of a reader, helping you foresee how your eventual readers might respond emotionally to what you've written. Then, with those insights, they can provide detailed and actionable suggestions.

For example, an editor might say, "I felt disconnected from the protagonist in chapter three, because her motivations aren't clear," and then suggest ways you can clarify the protagonist's motivations and draw the reader in. 

For more insights on seeking feedback, read my guide HERE.

Personal experience and the inside scoop 

While AI might analyze trends, it can’t offer a human editor's instinctive judgment about the heart of your book’s appeal. A human editor can offer an insider's perspective on how to build an author brand, navigate the publishing industry, and set yourself up for a lifelong writing career. 

For example, your editor might suggest which literary agents are currently seeking books like yours or help you spot a red flag in a publishing contract you didn’t know to question.

Industry connections to help you build a professional network.

These relationships can open doors to opportunities that would be hard to access alone.

For example, they could refer you to a trusted book publicist, connect you with a writing conference panel, or invite you to a mastermind group of fellow authors.

Personal investment in the long-term success of your work.

Like you, they'll want to see your book published, selling many copies, and making an impact on the intended reader.

For example, they may share your book with their own network when it launches and even circle back months later to check in on how things are going and cheer you on.

To learn more about traditional publishing, read my article, "How to Get a Book Published: a Guide to Balancing Authenticity with Strategy."

Types of editors for books

Now that we've outlined the general duties of a book editor in 2025, let's explore the different types and how they each can serve a specific purpose in helping you bring your book to life. Below you'll find job titles that include the word “editor,” as well as other key players in the editorial process whose job titles don’t.

Across the board, these professionals provide invaluable guidance that can shape the final form of your book.

Copy editor

A copy editor focuses on grammar, syntax, punctuation, and consistency, ensuring that your manuscript adheres to standard language conventions. With the rise of AI-based grammar tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid, some authors may be tempted to skip this step. However, while AI can catch many basic errors, a human copy editor goes beyond simple grammar checks, identifying inconsistencies and offering nuanced improvements that preserve your unique voice while maintaining readability.

Line editor

A line editor works on improving sentence structure, tone, and style, making sure that each line reads smoothly while staying true to the author's intent. While AI tools can suggest improvements in sentence construction, human line editors can spot subtle issues with pacing, tone, and flow that AI still struggles to fully understand. Their expertise ensures that the writing isn't just technically correct but is compelling and emotionally engaging.

Developmental editor

A developmental editor helps you tackle larger-scale changes like plot, structure, and character development, as well as what to delete and add. This type of editing helps you refine your manuscript's big-picture elements, ensuring it resonates with readers on a deeper level.

AI tools like Plottr and Sudowrite are gaining popularity among authors who want help with structure and plot. While these tools can make certain aspects of the writing process easier, a developmental editor brings emotional intelligence and deep understanding of human psychology. With these innately human capabilities, a developmental editor can advise you on things like the tension of a scene and how a character's journey relates to the story's theme.

Proofreader

A proofreader catches any last-minute mistakes after the editing process, checking for typos, spelling errors, and formatting issues. While AI-based tools can certainly help with this, human proofreaders have an intuitive ability to catch context-specific errors and subtleties that AI often misses. Whether it's a missing space or a homophone confusion, human eyes are still superior when it comes to fine-tuning the manuscript right before publication.

Acquisition editor

An acquisition editor works within publishing houses to scout for promising manuscripts. They evaluate submissions to decide which books align with their publisher's vision. While AI tools can help with initial submission screenings or identify manuscripts that meet certain predefined criteria, the final decision still rests on human judgment around market trends, cultural shifts, or emotional impact.

Book coach

Similar to developmental editors, book coaches are usually available to help you throughout the entire writing process. What distinguishes them is that they help not only with the manuscript—how to develop and improve it, but also work with you on mindset, professional development, and embracing the identity of a writer. With AI tools helping to streamline some of the technical aspects of writing (e.g., suggesting story structures, generating character names), a book coach provides the emotional support and guidance that AI can't offer. They’ll help you navigate your personal journey as a writer, ensuring that you stay motivated, connected to your purpose, and committed to your long-term success.

Sensitivity reader

A sensitivity reader offers editorial feedback on cultural accuracy, lived experience, and potential harm in your manuscript. The input of a sensitivity readers is particularly helpful when you're writing about characters or communities whose identity or background are different than your own. Sensitivity readers can help ensure you represent these characters and communities in a respectful, nuanced manner. 

Literary agent

Though their primary role is to sell your manuscript to publishers, many literary agents also provide editorial input, especially before submitting your work. A strong agent may walk you through one or more rounds of developmental edits to make sure your manuscript is in the best possible shape to secure a deal. In an age where agents and editors alike are navigating a fast-evolving industry—hybrid publishing models, AI-assisted slush pile reviews, and shifting reader habits—agents who take the time to offer editorial feedback are invaluable.

NOTE: You may come across book editors who specialize in specific genres, such as romance fiction editors or self-help book editors. These specialists bring a deep understanding of genre conventions and reader expectations, which is especially helpful in a crowded and fast-moving publishing landscape. In 2025, genre-specific editors are more valuable than ever, offering a human counterpoint to the increasingly generic feedback AI tools may provide.  

Do I need a book editor? 7 ways to tell 

Most writers reach a point in the book-writing process when they wonder: Do I need an editor? Is it time to bring one in? If you’re asking yourself that now, here are some clear signs that suggest the answer is yes:

1. You want expert human guidance. 

Generative AI can help you find errors or even suggest improvements, but it can’t replicate the emotional depth, life experience, or professional insight of a seasoned book editor. If you're craving thoughtful feedback that sees the soul of your work, it's time to work with a human.

2. You enjoy the collaborative aspects of writing.

Some writers thrive in solitude, but others are energized by creative collaboration. If you’d love to bounce ideas off someone who truly gets writing and brings hard-won wisdom to the table, a book editor can be your most valuable partner. 

3. You want to write the best book possible.

You’ve put time, heart, and soul into your manuscript. Now, you want to make sure it holds up to professional standards. Whether your goal is to self-publish a polished, high-quality book or land a traditional publishing deal, working with an editor can elevate your work and protect your reputation as an author. Editors also help you align your manuscript with reader expectations in your genre, which can be the difference between a book that resonates and one that gets overlooked. 

4. You recognize that editing is more than fixing grammar. 

An editor's job goes beyond just about fixing sentence-level issues like grammar or punctuation. A good editor can help you sharpen your ideas, clarify your message, and strengthen the entire reading experience. If you sense your book needs structural support, clearer focus, or stronger emotional threads, it’s time to recruit a developmental editor or book coach. 

5. You're not sure what's working and what's not. 

If you’ve read your manuscript so many times you can’t tell whether it's good anymore, that’s normal. A professional editor brings fresh perspective and objective insights that can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

They can also help you see your unique strengths as a writer more clearly—whether it’s voice, storytelling, or emotional resonance—and spot areas where building technical skill could take your work to the next level. For example, you might have a natural gift for dialogue, but an editor could show you how inconsistent pacing is dulling your scenes and offer specific suggestions for tightening them while preserving your voice.

Check out my creative writing guides, "How to Write a Novel" and "How to Write Creatively."

6. You're stuck in revision limbo.

If you're endlessly rewriting the same chapters or avoiding revision altogether, an editor can help you break free and make progress again. They’ll help you identify what needs to change—and what’s already working. Beyond that, they can help you break the process into manageable steps, organize your files, and even create a realistic schedule. It’s not just about what to fix, but how to move forward without burning out.

Bonus: That kind of administrative support isn’t glamorous, but it can mean the difference between finishing your book and abandoning it out of overwhelm.

7. You're preparing to query agents or self-publish. 

Before you submit your manuscript to literary agents or upload it to a publishing platform, it's worth having a professional polish it. Editors can help you tighten your prose, fix pacing, and ensure your story lands the way you intend it to. They may even have suggestions on how to refine your pitch, so that it gets agents' attention or attracts your ideal reader. 

How much does it cost to hire a book editor?

Once you decide it's time to recruit a book editor's support, the natural next question is how much you'll need to invest. In your internet searches for book editors, you'll come across a range of fees, depending on editors' experience level and the depth or service they provide.

You may also find that editors don't list pricing upfront on their websites. Instead, they invite you as the author to book a discovery call to discuss your manuscript and goals, before providing a custom quote based on your specific project.  

Reedsy, a popular writing and publishing platform, offers data that may give you a general sense of what to expect. According to their estimates, professional book editing for an 80,000-word manuscript can cost between $2,000 and $4,270 [1]. 

Whether you hire an editor through Reedsy or another platform, or connect with a freelance book editor, your investment can shift depending on factors like:

• How polished your manuscript is at the time of hiring
• Whether you’re requesting multiple rounds of edits
• How quickly you need the work completed

How to hire a book editor

Reading this guide is a great first step in understanding the value of a book editor, deciding if this is for you, and preparing to make this investment in your writing dreams. Once you’re confident that you're ready, these steps can help you find the right person and move forward with clarity—turning your manuscript into a pitch-ready book readers love.

1. Identify which type of editor you need.

Start by getting clear on where you are in the process. Are you still drafting and need deep story support? You may want a developmental editor or book coach. Is your manuscript solid and ready for polish? Then it might be time for a line editor or proofreader. Understanding the distinctions helps you avoid overpaying or hiring someone who doesn’t meet your actual needs.

2. Identify your search criteria.

Beyond technical skill, what do you want in a collaborator? Basic search criteria should have you looking for someone who:

• Understands the publishing industry (both the indie and traditional sides)
• Has experience working with a variety of writers
• Gets your genre
• Believes in your work
• Can challenge you to reach your potential

3. Decide on your budget and match it to editor fees.

Editing is an investment and there are ways to make it more doable. Get creative: take on a writing side hustle, pick up seasonal work, or explore grants and artist residencies. Some editors are open to payment plans, especially if you're willing to work on a slower completion schedule.

4. Decide on your timeline.

When do you want this book ready for submission or publication? Knowing your ideal timeframe will help you filter for editors who can match your pace or advise you realistically on what’s possible.

5. Reach out to several editors and interview them.

Don’t just hire the first person who replies. Prepare questions, ask how they typically work, and pay attention to how you feel in the conversation. Do they offer early thoughts on your manuscript? Do they listen well? Do you feel creatively energized after the call or drained?

Some sample questions to bring into the interview process:

• What’s your editing process like?

• Will your feedback come as in-line comments, a critique letter, or both?

• Do you prefer to work on a full manuscript all at once, or in stages?

• What do you need from me to begin?

• What kinds of authors do you love working with?

• What helps you do your best work?

6. Ask to see samples or testimonials from prior clients.

Any editor worth working with will be proud to share feedback from writers they've helped in the past. Look for signs that they’ve worked with writers like you, that their clients finished and published books, and that their input made a real difference.

7. Make the hire and set expectations.

Once you’ve found the right fit, get clear on what your new editor needs from you before they begin. That might include a cleanly formatted manuscript, a chapter outline, a synopsis, or a short note about what kind of feedback you're seeking. Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions up front. Clarity now saves confusion later. And the right editor will appreciate your curiosity and your professionalism. Hiring an editor isn’t just a transaction; it’s the start of a creative relationship.

Source

1. Reedsy. "How Much Does it Cost to Publish a Book in 2025?" https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-self-publish-a-book/cost-to-self-publish/. 

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