Editing Industry Is Changing—Get Ready Now
The editing industry is changing. It has been for the last few decades, but the rate of transformation has increased. If you’ve been freelancing or even just researching how to break in, you’ve probably noticed things shifting.
Faster timelines.
New tech.
More authors going indie.
And more noise in the marketplace.
Yes, the editing industry is changing, and that can be uncomfortable, but here’s good news: editors who stay aware, flexible, and strategic are positioned to succeed.
This post will walk you through what’s happening as the editing industry is changing, why it matters, and how to not just stay relevant, but to be in demand.
The Traditional Editing Landscape
Years ago, most editors worked in-house for publishers, and very few writers could afford to hire an independent editor. Becoming a published author meant landing a literary agent, selling to a Big Five publisher, and working within a rigid, gatekeeper-driven system. The publishing process took years, on top of however long it took the author to write the book.
During my career over the past few decades, I’ve seen it change immensely:
- The stigma regarding self-publishing has decreased dramatically, and self-publishing has exploded (this one is a double-edged sword).
- More editors are freelancers than in-house now.
- Very few publishing houses remain.
- Authors are bypassing traditional systems and assembling their own book teams.
Some of us have loved being along for the ride as the playing field of the publishing world became more level. Other editors went the way of the dinosaurs while kicking and screaming about being downsized, right-sized—whatever term their employer used.
While the editing industry is changing, entrepreneurial editors who know how to position themselves well have a chance to thrive.
Technology’s Growing Role as the Editing Industry Is Changing
AI Tools and Editing Software
Let’s talk about the elephant in the editing room: AI tools.
Yes—tools like -Grammarly-, -ProWritingAid-, and even -ChatGPT- are being used more and more. And yes, they can save time and catch some errors.
But here’s the problem: they often get things wrong.
- Grammarly can introduce new mistakes or flag correct usage as incorrect.
- Microsoft Word’s grammar suggestions are frequently way off base.
- AI tools don’t understand nuance, tone, voice, or audience.
A skilled editor is always better than a tool.
That said, many editors use some tools strategically to support their systems, not to replace their expertise. The key is to stay in the driver’s seat. Use tools to speed things up, but never outsource your judgment.
There are some scammers out there who run a manuscript through a tool or two and call that editing. We believe, as Shepherd Book referred to in this clip, there is a special place in hell for them.
Don’t be a scammer.
File Formats, Markup Tools, and Version Control
Today’s editors also need to be fluent in modern workflow tools:
- Using Track Changes in Word
- Commenting and suggesting in Google Docs
- Proofing PDFs and final layouts
- Reviewing ePub formats for self-publishers
Clients expect their editors to have flexibility and a professional grasp of the tools authors use. If you can adapt and communicate clearly across platforms, you’ll stand out.
Rise of the Indie Author and Author–Editor Partnerships
More authors are self-publishing than ever, and they’re hiring their editors directly. In many cases, editors are now part of the core creative team, not a cog in the machine.
This shift comes with important changes:
- Authors want collaboration and feedback.
- Many expect hybrid services (editing + coaching + publishing advice).
- Turnaround times are getting faster, and expectations are higher.
Note of Caution
If an author mentions that they’re going with a “hybrid publisher,” or that any publisher contacted them, or especially paying a publisher anything (including committing to buying copies of their book), chances are high that they’ve been scammed.
It’s worth asking more questions. Many claiming to be publishers are predatory or misleading, charging authors thousands of dollars for subpar services.
As an editor, it isn’t your job to police what authors do—but it is smart to be aware and protect your reputation by steering clear of shady operations and unwise clients.
You may want to warn your prospects and clients regarding so-called publishers. An easy and trustworthy way is to share a resource produced by an independent third party that identifies predators. Writer Beware is a great resource that is known for naming names. The site has a search function to make it easy.
Editors Wearing More Hats
The fact that the editing industry is changing even today scares some people and excites others. In any case, it has created new opportunities and more potential responsibilities for editors.
We’re no longer anonymous people behind the walls of publishing houses who perform a discrete set of text-related tasks. We’re now collaborators, coaches, and experts that authors find and hire directly. Some of us are even project managers.
Back in the day, you could be “just an editor.” Today? Most of us wear more hats.
Many authors expect editors to be all of these:
- Manuscript assessors
- Sensitivity readers
- Publishing guides
- Accountability partners
You don’t have to do everything. You do need to understand the new landscape because the editing industry is changing and the more you know about what authors face, the more trust you’ll build and the more referrals you’ll earn.
If you can clearly define your offerings and possess a connected skill set, you could be one of the editors thriving in this new era.
Possible Superpower
Once upon a time, being a generalist editor was fine. Today, specificity sells.
The editors who are thriving as the editing industry is changing are the ones who niched down.
There’s more than one way to niche:
- Genre (romance, horror, memoir, self-help, business)
- Service type (developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, sensitivity reading, pitch packaging, etc.)
- Client type (novelists, academics, course creators, subject-matter experts, small presses, traditional publishers)
When you specialize, your messaging clarifies. Your portfolio sharpens. Referrals strengthen. Your confidence grows because you know exactly what kind of work you do best and for whom.
Pricing and Ethics
Let’s talk about something frustrating: the rise of clients expecting “AI rates” for human editorial work.
You’ll see inquiries that go something like this:
“Can you edit this book for [a dollar amount that is less than a tenth of what you should charge for the length and complexity of this manuscript]? I ran it through Grammarly, so it shouldn’t need much.”
This has been happening since Microsoft added spelling and grammar check to MS Word, but it has become more common with the rise of Grammarly, Hemingway App, and other AI tools.
As an aside: It’s funny when writers say they hate AI and will never use it in their writing but then talk about how they use Hemingway and Pro Writing Aid.
Why do so many authors expect to receive human editing at AI prices? One reason is they don’t have any idea how much work and skill goes into proper editing. Another is thinking tools do the same job humans do.
They don’t.
Smart editors navigate these conversations professionally:
- Educate (gently) on the difference between tool-based and human editing.
- Set clear boundaries and stick to your value.
- Offer real, specific deliverables not endless “hours” of ambiguous work.
Hourly pricing doesn’t work in this landscape. It punishes efficiency, confuses clients, and creates resentment. Transparent pricing, with a clear scope and timeline, is the ethical standard.
Community, Mentorship, and Ongoing Learning
The editing industry is changing fast, and trying to navigate solo doesn’t work well.
Editors have always needed these:
- Mentors who’ve been through changes
- A network of peers to share referrals, insights, and moral support
- Training on current tools, trends, and client expectations
Those needs used to be met at the office. Now that most of us are working in a home office, running our own freelance editing business, we must get those needs met elsewhere.
Whether you’re new to the field or mid-career, staying connected to others is not optional; it’s essential.
And yes, Editors School is one place to find them. We focus on creating a community of growth-minded editors who learn, earn, and build careers together. But Editors School is not the only place to get those needs met.
Here are some other great places:
Platform Launchers helps you build, grow, and monetize your online platform.
The Profitable Writer Club is for writers and other industry professionals to meet online (and sometimes in person) to support each other.
The 48 Days Community founded by the late, great Dan Miller provides education and connection for entrepreneurs.
TaskBuddy Club provides accountability and mentorship via text messaging and virtual work SPRINT sessions on Discord.
Not Scary but Strategic
The editing industry isn’t dying. The editing industry is changing.
Yes, automation is real. Expectations are shifting. Clients are more plugged in. But none of that spells doom. It spells opportunity.
Here’s to whom the future of editing belongs:
- Editors who adapt to new tools but don’t blindly trust them
- Professionals who communicate value confidently
- Freelancers who treat their work as a business and not a hobby
- Specialists who know exactly whom they help and how
You don’t have to be techy. You don’t have to be famous. But you do need to be ready to evolve, sharpen your skills, and stand tall in your professionalism.
TL;DR:
The editing industry is changing, fast. With AI, indie publishing, and shifting client expectations, editors need to be strategic, specialized, and adaptable. It’s not just about surviving change; it’s about growing with it.
Call to Action
The editing industry is changing, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Whether you’re just starting out or in the middle of your career, it’s time to make sure your business, your skills, and your systems are future-ready.
Check out Editors School’s training and resources to stay sharp, supported, and fully in command of your career.