First, determine the type of editing you need (developmental, copyediting, or proofreading) and your budget. Then, research editors with experience in your genre. Finally, consider asking for a sample edit to evaluate their skills and approach before committing to a project.

It depends on which type of book editing your manuscript needs and how the editor charges for their services, per word or by the hour.  You can compare prices by viewing the Editorial Freelancers Association rates page.

NEK Editing offers developmental editing and proofreading services.

Developmental editors work closely with authors to assess the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, offering constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. They focus on the plot, character development, pacing, and narrative coherence.

A proofreader carefully examines every word and sentence, checking for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies.

NEK Editing uses Word’s Track Changes and applies Lock Tracking to all project files. This ensures that all edits remain visible and cannot be accepted, rejected, or hidden without a password. Authors can make revisions directly in the document or leave comments, and all changes will be automatically tracked. An unlocked, publication-ready file will be provided only after all requested services have been completed.

Developmental editing continues until the editor delivers the _FINAL chapter files. After a file is marked _FINAL, any further changes fall outside the original project scope and are billed as additional work. Proofreading includes two rounds of revisions.

Please make all revisions directly in Microsoft Word using Track Changes. Your files are delivered with Track Changes locked, so every edit stays visible. If you disagree with a change, leave a comment or make your revision in the document — your edits will be tracked automatically. An unlocked, publication-ready file will be provided only after all requested services have been completed.

All project files are delivered with Microsoft Word’s Lock Tracking enabled. This keeps Track Changes on and ensures that all edits remain visible. With Lock Tracking, you can make revisions and leave comments, but you won’t be able to accept or reject edits or turn off Track Changes. This protects the accuracy and integrity of the editing process. An unlocked, publication-ready file will be provided only after all requested services have been completed.

Nothing is wrong. Because Lock Tracking is applied to all project files, Word disables the Accept/Reject buttons and prevents comments from being deleted. An unlocked, publication-ready file will be provided only after all requested services have been completed.

You’re welcome to make changes, but adding new material or reversing earlier decisions once editing is underway disrupts the workflow. Because of this, mid‑project additions or reversals are billed at the hourly rate outlined in the contract.

Any changes requested after _FINAL files are delivered fall outside the original project scope and are billed at the hourly rate listed in the agreement.

Edited chapters are returned to the author individually, and again once all chapters are compiled into the final version of the book.

While it’s possible to self-publish without using an editor, it can be difficult for authors to assess their work objectively. Hiring an editor can significantly improve the quality and marketability of a book. Editors help with various aspects of writing, including content, grammar, and overall readability.

Yes, traditionally published authors do use editors. While traditional publishers provide editorial support, authors often work with freelance editors before submitting their manuscript to agents or publishers.

If you’ve finished your manuscript, you should send it to beta readers to receive feedback and to answer the following questions:

1. Can readers connect with the characters?
2. Is the protagonist likable, and does the story have good pacing to keep readers engaged?

If you or your beta readers answered “no” to any of the above questions, your story may need some improvement before sending it to an editor to make sure there aren’t any grammatical errors.

In most cases, you don’t need to register your book with the Library of Congress because the moment your work is created and available to the public, it has copyright protection. However, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work, you will need to register.

You can check with the U.S. Copyright Office to copyright and register your literary work.

In the United States, the book’s ISBN does not bear any legal or copyright protection. However, some countries use the ISBN to recognize the publication as a form of copyright.

You also do not need a separate copyright for each ISBN for your book. The copyright applies to the literary work as a whole, not to specific editions or formats. However, you should include the following on your copyright page:  Copyright Notice, ISBN, Rights and Permissions, Disclaimer, Edition Information, Credits, and Publisher’s Address.

There’s no set page length to publish a book.

However, publishers and publishing platforms may have minimum page requirements for paperback and hardcover books.

It’s best to consider the book’s format (paperback, hardcover, eBook), trim size, images (color vs. black and white), paper color, genre, fiction or non-fiction, and the type of book you want (novel, novella, novelette), and follow the guidelines accordingly.

Publishing companies assess the marketability of an author and their book.

They want to know if the author already has a website, email list, social media accounts, or a large fan base. They’re also looking for authors who write well and have an original story idea that meets the recommended genre word count.

Authors receive payment through advances and royalties, whether they opt for traditional or self-publishing.

Traditional Publishing
Publishers offer an advance, or lump sum, payment before a book is published, representing a payment against future royalties. Then, authors begin receiving a percentage (8%-15% for print and 25%-40% for eBooks) of the book’s sales after the book has earned out the initial advance.

Self-Publishing
Self-published authors receive royalties (ranging from 35% to 70%) per book (print or eBook) sold, depending on the platform used. However, they are not offered an advance payment since they are responsible for upfront costs for editing, cover design, and marketing.

Interior book formatting ensures a consistent design and layout of text and elements within a book’s pages, tailored to the specified trim size. It enhances visual coherence and readability while meeting professional publishing standards.

NEK Editing offers eBook, paperback, and hardcover formatting.

Yes. All eBook files (.epub and .kpf) require a completed book cover image in JPG or PNG format. NEK Editing can help you create an eBook cover, but you will need to supply the images and all cover copy (title, subtitle, author name, and any text you want included). If you do not already have a cover, you can purchase one through NEK Editing or work with a designer before your eBook files can be created.
For details about cover design services, see the “Other Services” section.

Yes. Paperbacks and hardcovers need a print‑ready cover (front, back, and spine). NEK Editing can help create it, but you must provide the images and cover copy. If you don’t have a cover yet, you can purchase one through NEK Editing or work with a designer before formatting begins.
For details about cover design services, see the “Other Services” section.

The cost of book formatting reflects both the complexity of the design and the time needed to accurately position key elements — such as section breaks, page numbers, chapter headings, margins, images, and blank pages — to create a professionally publish-ready product. Since each type of book has unique formatting requirements, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Yes, NEK Editing offers book cover design when the author provides the book cover’s trim size, all images, and book cover copy.

Yes, NEK Editing offers payment options, including per chapter, per service, and monthly payments.

We accept credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.

To discuss custom payment arrangements, please get in touch with us.