What Does a Freelance Book Editor Actually Do?
A freelance book editor is more than someone who catches typos or fixes commas—they’re the biggest advocate for a book’s readers. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a freelance book editor or you’ve been polishing writing for years, it’s essential to understand the scope of the job and the value you can bring to authors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the different types of editing you may be hired to do, what clients expect when they work with a freelance editor, and how Editors School helps you turn your passion into a profitable, purpose-driven career.
The Core Responsibilities of a Freelance Book Editor
A freelancer is a business owner. That means they are in charge of everything related to the business. They might outsource some things, but they’re still responsible for it. In addition to the editing, which we’ll talk about below, they also have to find the clients, interact with the clients, bill the clients, find more clients, buy the software and other tools they need, keep records, pay taxes, find more clients, market their business, maintain their computers, find more clients…
Being a freelance editor involves far more than just editing the books, as you can see. Also, book editing isn’t a cookie-cutter service. There are different types of editing, and each stage of the editorial process requires different types of expertise. Freelance book editors often specialize in one area.
Please note that very few professionals can do more than one kind of editing, although many say they do all of the types. Do not expect to be able to do more than one type of editing when you become a freelance book editor, and here’s why: the different types of editing require different ways of thinking.
You know how most people who are great with languages and arts or with sports and other kinesthetic pursuits are not so hot with maths and sciences, and how it’s surprising and rare to find someone who is great at all of those things?
It’s the same with the different types of editing. Don’t worry. We’ll help you find which type is yours.
The Different Types of Editing
Developmental Editing (aka Substantive Editing or Content Editing)
This is big-picture editing. In the graphic above, it’s symbolized by the telescope.
Developmental editors help shape the structure and content of a book from a high level.
If a novel has poor structure, flat characters, or pacing problems, it’s the developmental editor’s job to identify those weaknesses and suggest the changes that are needed to improve the contents of the book.
In nonfiction, developmental editing involves adding, removing, reordering, or restructuring chapters for clarity. It could also require strengthening the author’s arguments. A developmental editor advises authors on what belongs in a particular book and what should be removed and possibly used elsewhere. A developmental editor also helps authors create stronger narratives and deepen their messages.
This stage often involves multiple rounds of revision and deep collaboration with the author. It takes the most time, effort, and money. It’s ideal for editors who love problem-solving and storytelling and have the ability to see the entire manuscript as a whole.
Line Editing
Line editing zooms in from the big picture to focus on the artistry and mechanics of the prose. In the graphic above, the binoculars represent line editing.
This type of editing deals with the adjusting the reading level, jargon, sentence structure, tone, voice, and rhythm. You’ll help the author say what they want to say more clearly and compellingly while still keeping their voice.
A good line edit smooths out awkward transitions, strengthens weak sentences, and polishes language for greater impact. Think of it as the layer where the magic happens line by line. As you can see, this kind of editing requires a different type of thinking than developmental editing does.
Please note that some people consider line editing to be “developmental editing lite.” Others consider it to be mechanical editing (as copy editing is). It’s neither. Depending on the freelance book editor’s skills, she might be able to do both line and copy.
Copy Editing
This type involves tightening up grammar, punctuation, word choice, style consistency, and usage—the mechanics of a manuscript. In the graphic above, it’s symbolized by the eyeglasses/reading glasses.
Copy editors correct errors and enforce consistency based on a style guide (The Chicago Manual of Style for trade books). Depending on the arrangement with the client, the copy editor may also do the fact checking.
While it’s more technical and cut-and-dried than it is creative, copy editing still requires excellent judgment and sharp attention to detail. Copy editors catch everything from misused homophones to inconsistencies in character names or timelines.
Proofreading
Symbolized by the magnifying glass in the graphic above, proofreading is the final editorial pass. By definition, it comes after layout and design and before release of the book to the public (publication). The proofs (the printed pages or galleys) are read and examined for errors. It’s your job to catch anything that slipped through the cracks—typos, spacing issues, formatting glitches, and more.
These days, it’s uncommon for there to be actual proofs. The process of proofreading takes place on PDFs and other files now, but the stage at which it happens is still the same. Many people say “proofreading” when they should be saying, “copy editing.” If the person misusing the term claims to be an editor, that is one sign that they are not a professional.
Proofreaders are the last line of defense. It’s a critical stage that requires laser focus, sharp eyesight, and meticulous attention to detail.
What Makes Freelance Book Editors So Valuable
As a freelance book editor, your role is about much more than cleaning up words. You’re a guide, a sounding board, and often a cheerleader for authors navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of writing a book.
Here’s why authors (especially indie authors) turn to freelance editors:
- Authors want expert support. Writing a book is a huge undertaking. Most authors don’t have an objective view of their own work, and they know it.
- They know their books need professional polish. Readers are more discerning than ever. A sloppily edited book can mean poor reviews and lost credibility.
- Authors seek flexibility and partnership. Freelance editors often work more closely with authors than in-house editors can, providing personal attention and adaptability.
Authors often form long-term relationships with trusted freelance editors, and many editors build their business on referrals and repeat clients.
At Editors School, we teach you how to build those relationships, set professional boundaries, and deliver high-value work that makes you indispensable to your clients.
A Day in the Life of a Freelance Book Editor
What does your daily workflow look like as a freelance book editor? That depends on your niche, your availability, and the type of projects you take on. But here are a few things you might find yourself doing on any given day:
- Reviewing a manuscript that another editor did the developmental editing on, and writing up an evaluation and proposal with pricing and potential turnaround time
- Conducting a copyedit on a nonfiction book using tracked changes
- Answering questions from a client regarding a manuscript you sent a few days ago
- Invoicing a client and planning your schedule for upcoming deadlines
- Participating in a critique circle or editor community for ongoing learning
Being a freelance editor allows you flexibility, but it’s not casual. Successful editors know how to manage their time, set boundaries, and maintain a high level of professionalism in all client interactions.
Common Myths About Becoming a Freelance Book Editor
Myth #1: You have to know everything about books to start.
Truth: You don’t need to be a literary encyclopedia to become a freelance book editor. What you do need is a solid knowledge of how books should be, a strong foundation in editing techniques, and a willingness to keep learning.
Myth #2: You can only succeed if you have publishing industry contacts.
Truth: While contacts can help, many freelance editors build their businesses from scratch through smart marketing and excellent service.
Myth #3: Clients will find you automatically.
Truth: To be a freelance editor is to be a business owner. You’ll need to learn how to attract clients, price your services, and create a reputation for excellence.
At Editors School, we help you bust through these and other myths with practical tools, mentorship, and strategies that build your confidence and income.
How Editors School Supports Freelance Book Editors
If you’re serious about making freelance editing your career, just having an English degree won’t cut it (and you don’t actually need one of those, anyway). You need structured guidance, hands-on practice, great resources, and a professional network.
Editors School gives you all of that and more.
Here’s what makes our approach different:
- Real-World Editorial Training: Learn the type(s) of editing that you have the aptitude for, whether it’s developmental, line, copyediting, or proofreading. Practice with real manuscripts and real feedback.
- Client-Ready Business Skills: Get tools for onboarding clients, setting rates, creating contracts, and managing feedback with ease.
- Mentorship & Community: You’re not doing this alone. Join a cohort of fellow editors and get support from experienced professionals.
- Ongoing Learning & Career Growth: Stay up to date on the latest editorial standards, tools, publishing trends, and more.
Our goal is to turn your passion for words into a sustainable business that works for your life.
Is Freelance Book Editing Right for You?
You might be a great fit for freelance editing if these are true:
- You love reading or analyzing written materials.
- You have a strong grasp of grammar, writing style, or story structure.
- You enjoy working independently and managing your own schedule.
- You’re excited to keep growing and learning—and relearning.
- You care about helping readers and authors succeed.
Many of our students start with no formal training or background in publishing. What they share is a love for the craft and a commitment to doing excellent work—and we help them turn that into real income and career satisfaction.
TL;DR:
Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to refine your skills, Editors School offers everything you need to launch or level up your freelance book editing career.
✅ Learn from industry experts.
✅ Practice with real-world editing exercises.
✅ Get support, accountability, and mentorship.
✅ Build a business that fits your lifestyle.
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A freelance book editor works with authors, various other editors, and other professionals to polish book manuscripts. Editors School provides the skills, tools, and community you need to thrive in this creative, rewarding profession.
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