Book editing services
Refine your manuscript and get publication-ready with a professional book editor.
Work with an experienced non-fiction book editor in Australia.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. And the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr Seuss
At Good Prose Studios, we love Dr Seuss – and we love books. We specialise in book editing services that help you develop and refine your manuscript, ready for trade publication or self-publishing. Our experienced non-fiction book editors provide comprehensive support to strengthen structure, clarity, narrative flow, character development and overall impact – so your book is the best it can be.
Professional editing can be the difference between getting picked up by a publisher or staying at the bottom of the slush pile. It’s what transforms a draft into a book that holds a reader’s attention from first page to last. It sharpens structure, clarifies intent, strengthens voice and ensures your ideas land with confidence.
Quite simply, good editing respects your hard-won writing time, and gives your book the best possible chance to succeed.
Take a look inside one of our book editing consults.
How our professional editing services work.
A systematic approach designed for busy professionals.
01
Consultation.
We begin by understanding your goals, audience and context.
02
Strategy.
We apply our proprietary storytelling framework, shaping a clear strategic direction.
03
Work-in-progress.
We get to work. Editing unfolds in structured phases with agreed milestones.
04
Refinement.
We collaborate. Feedback and iteration ensures the final output reflects your goals.
05
Handover.
We provide clear deliverables and actionable next steps – with a targeted roadmap for implementation.
How hiring a professional editor can transform your manuscript.
Leaving a manuscript unedited is akin to training for a marathon, then not turning up on race day.
Well-edited books are more likely to be read, reviewed and recommended. They are cleaner and better structured – and now, more than ever, in the AI era, highest standards matter. Readers notice when a book has been professionally edited, even if they can’t articulate why. The narrative flows. The structure works. The ideas are developed. The text is free of typos. Nothing pulls the reader out of the reading experience.
Editing bolsters the integrity of your work. Inconsistencies, weak arguments, pacing issues or simple errors can quietly undermine an otherwise strong piece of work. Professional book editing catches these issues early, finessing your work before it reaches publishers, reviewers or readers.
A professionally edited manuscript gives your book the best chance of publication.
From a commercial publishing perspective, a publication-ready manuscript stands out. In fact, a high-quality manuscript can be the difference between being picked up for publication and being passed over. Many trade publishers simply don’t have the time or resources to bring a promising manuscript up to scratch. This is why book editing in Australia is such a crucial industry, and one we’re proud to specialise in.
Agents and publishing houses can spot an unpolished draft immediately. A professionally edited book has a much stronger chance of securing a commercial publishing deal – and, more importantly, of finding a readership among book clubs, specialist audiences and niche communities.
Trust our expert editors to enhance your voice and your story
Manuscript editing ensures your voice shines through. It sharpens your work and identifies holes. Never fear that editing will colour your work with a different flavour. Rather, our book editors excel in strengthening your voice and sharpening the message.
The result is a book that communicates with authority and impact, and gives readers a reason to stay til the final page.
How to choose the right editing service.
Not all editing is the same, and choosing the right service at the right stage can make all the difference to your book’s success. The key is understanding the current status of your manuscript and what it needs to move forward.
Learn more about our cornerstone editing services:
- Manuscript appraisals are a great starting point for first or second draft manuscripts. We assess structure, argument, case studies, and themes and tone, and provide clear next steps to begin revisions and rewrites.
- Developmental editing is best for early drafts. It focuses on big-picture elements like concept, genre and structure, helping you shape the direction of the manuscript before too much is locked in.
- Structural editing looks at the framework of the book – narrative arc, chapter flow, pacing and logic – ensuring the story or argument is cohesive from start to finish.
- Copyediting services refine your writing line by line for clarity, tone, consistency and accuracy, while preserving your voice.
- Proofreading is the final quality check, catching minor errors before publication.
- Publication management offers end-to-end oversight of publications like handbooks and institutional reports, managing the project from early scope to structural development through to being print-ready.
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Manuscript appraisal.
Take your manuscript from draft to done.
Ideal for: Early-stage drafts (approx. 50,000 words)
Investment: from $1,500 + GST AUD*
Our manuscript assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of your book, providing valuable insights and feedback from an experienced industry professional. We assess your manuscript as a whole and offer practical guidance on genre, themes, character development, voice, tone, structure, and overall impact and flow. You’ll receive a detailed written report outlining strengths, areas for improvement and clear next steps for revision. Turnaround times typically range from two weeks to one month depending on scope.
Book proposal and pitch development.
Craft your book idea with confidence.
Ideal for: Story-ready ideas that need a strong publication pitch.
Investment: from $2,500 + GST AUD*
Got a book project in mind? We’ll workshop your idea, explore the narrative arc, refine themes, consider structure, and identify publishers and publication pathways. Then we will draft a pitch, chapter structure, and synopsis, ready for pitching. With expert guidance, you’ll shape a compelling proposal that clarifies your work and ensures it stands out from the slush pile. Turnaround times typically range from two weeks to one month depending on scope.
Developmental editing.
Develop and enhance your manuscript.
Ideal for: Early to mid-stage drafts (approx. 50,000 words).
Investment: from $2,500 + GST AUD*
Our developmental editing services provide in-depth feedback on the scope and structure of your book project. We work with you to develop your ideas, refine your narrative and enhance your themes – delivering a detailed editorial report and annotated manuscript that outline clear next steps for revision.
This comprehensive service is ideal for writers looking to take a first, second or third draft to the next level. Turnaround times typically range from two weeks to one month depending on scope.
Structural editing.
Strengthen the foundation of your manuscript.
Ideal for: Mid-stage drafts (approx. 50,000 words).
Investment: from $2,500 + GST AUD*
Structural editing perfects the overall shape and framework of your manuscript. A manuscript editor will provide detailed feedback on voice, narrative arc, research and thematic elements, helping you refine the fundamental aspects of your book.
You’ll receive a clear editorial report and annotated manuscript with practical suggestions to strengthen your concept and throughline – ensuring your book is well-structured and cohesive. Turnaround times typically range from two weeks to one month depending on scope.
Copyediting.
Polish your book to perfection.
Ideal for: Mid to late-stage drafts (approx. 50,000 words)
Investment: from $2,500 + GST AUD*
Our book copyediting services focus on improving your manuscript, line by line. We ensure your writing is polished, consistent and easy to read – ready for submission or pitching to publishers. You’ll receive a carefully marked-up manuscript with tracked edits and a style sheet for reference. Turnaround times typically range from two weeks to one month depending on scope.
Proofreading.
Ensure your manuscript is error-free.
Ideal for: Final MS stages prior to publication (approx. 50,000 words).
Investment: from $2,500 + GST AUD*
Professional proofreading is a crucial last-stage step in the book editing process. We provide a final review of your manuscript, catching and correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling and typos. We can also style and format the work to a high professional standard, ready for publication. You’ll receive a tracked Word document or PDF with all corrections clearly marked for your review. We supply a clean final Word or PDF document, once all changes are accepted and agreed on. Turnaround times typically range from two weeks to one month depending on scope.
Publication management.
Lead your project from concept to completion.
Ideal for: Organisations producing handbooks, institutional reports, commemorative publications or anniversary books.
Investment: from $10,000 + GST AUD*
Publication management provides end-to-end oversight of complex writing and editing projects. We guide your publication from early scoping and structural development through writing, editing, design coordination and final production.
Acting as the central point of co-ordination, we manage contributors, timelines, budgets and quality control to ensure the final work is professional, on-brand and delivered to a professional standard. The result is a polished publication that reflects your organisation’s authority, history and purpose – without burdening internal teams with the process. Turnaround times typically range from six weeks to three months depending on scope.
*All figures are indicative. Every manuscript is quoted individually to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Ready to turn your manuscript into a published book?
Good Prose Studios Press is one of Australia’s best independent publishing imprints for serious authors.
Client success stories.
Stephanie Brown – Curious, Calm & Connected (2024)
“I highly recommend Erin as an effective document editor and writing coach.”
High-performance executive coach and author Stephanie Bown came to Good Prose Studios for editorial support on her second book, Curious, Calm & Connected – a practical guide to building executive teams that are stronger than the sum of their parts.
Read more
We worked with Stephanie across three editorial phases: developmental editing to refine structure and narrative flow; copyediting to tighten language and ensure consistency of tone; and a final proofread to polish the manuscript before publication. Throughout the process, collaboration preserved Stephanie’s authoritative voice while sharpening clarity, accessibility and impact.
The result was a confident, publication-ready leadership book aligned with Stephanie’s professional mission and audience. Curious, Calm & Connected went on to be recognised as a finalist in two categories at the 2025 Australian Business Book Awards (General Business and Leadership), cementing its place as a valuable resource for executive leaders and teams, and further enhancing Stephanie’s profile as a sought-after business coach.
“It was a real pleasure working with Erin at Good Prose Studios. Her turnaround times were fast, her comments were super helpful, and her suggestions for edits sharpened the prose.” – Stephanie Bown.
Monash Law School – 50 Years/50 Voices (Monash University Press, 2025)
“Our project had the sort of timeline where most people just wished me luck. Good Prose Studios were up for the challenge.”
Good Prose Studios provided end-to-end publication management for Monash Law School’s 50th anniversary commemorative volume marking the Monash Law Clinical Program – a pioneering initiative in clinical legal education. We delivered project management support, comprehensive editing and photo management, working closely with internal and external stakeholders throughout.
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The result was a handsome, high-quality handover book produced on time and within budget, integrating historical and contemporary photography and ready for formal celebrations.
“Working with Erin and her team brought calm expertise, insightful guidance and a precision to detail. Their professionalism and collaborative approach kept us on track and made a daunting process achievable. Erin was instrumental to the project’s success and helped us deliver a book we are immensely proud of.” – Morag Milne, Marketing and Engagement Manager, and Project Manager for 50 Years/50 Voices.
Stephanie Bown – Curious, Calm & Connected (2024)
High-performance executive coach and author Stephanie Bown came to Good Prose Studios for editorial support on her second book, Curious, Calm & Connected – a practical guide to building executive teams that are stronger than the sum of their parts.
We worked with Stephanie across three editorial phases: developmental editing to refine structure and narrative flow; copyediting to tighten language and ensure consistency of tone; and a final proofread to polish the manuscript before publication. Throughout the process, the collaboration preserved Stephanie’s authoritative voice while sharpening theme, structure and tone.
The result was a confident, publication-ready leadership book aligned with Stephanie’s professional mission and audience. Curious, Calm & Connected went on to be recognised as a finalist in two categories at the 2025 Australian Business Book Awards (General Business and Leadership), cementing its place as a valuable resource for executive leaders and teams, and further enhancing Stephanie’s profile as a sought-after business coach.
Monash Law School – 50 Years/50 Voices (Monash University Press, 2025)
Good Prose Studios provided end-to-end publication management for Monash Law School’s commemorative book marking the 50th anniversary Monash Law Clinical Program – a pioneering initiative in clinical legal education. We delivered project management support, comprehensive editing and photo management, and worked closely with internal and external stakeholders throughout.
The result was a handsome, high-quality book produced on time and within budget, ready for formal celebrations.
Need help bringing your extraordinary story to life?
Talk to us about our ghostwriting services.
Why choose Good Prose Studios for book editing services?
Editorial partners.
We are collaborators who care deeply about your work, shaping manuscripts for success beyond the page.
Tailored feedback.
Every service includes a structured 1:1 feedback session that builds confidence and strengthens your craft.
Quality assurance.
We are IPEd professional member editors delivering ethical, professional, publication-ready manuscripts.
Our book editors are trusted by first-time authors, experienced writers and publishers across Australia. We bring editorial rigour, a keen eye for detail, and respect for your voice.
Book an initial discovery call to discuss your project and receive tailored guidance on the best editing pathway.
Ready to work with a top book editor?
The Good Prose Studios team brings precision attention-to-detail to every project.
FAQ.
Frequently asked questions.
How much does book editing cost?
Our editing fees are based on manuscript word count and the type of editing required. You can refer to the pricing guide above for indicative ranges. Every project is quoted individually, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees, so you know exactly what’s included before we begin.
What’s the difference between editing and proofreading?
Editing focuses on improving structure, clarity, flow and overall impact, while proofreading is the final quality check for spelling, grammar and formatting errors. Many authors choose to complete both services in sequence to ensure their manuscript is fully publication-ready.
How long does the editing process take?
Typical turnaround times range from two weeks to one month, depending on manuscript length and the editing service selected. Rush services may be available for urgent projects, and a clear timeline is always provided with your quote.
Can you handle urgent book editing projects?
Yes, we understand that some projects may require urgent attention. If you have an urgent book editing project, please mention this in your enquiry. We will do our best to accommodate your needs and provide expedited services if possible. Our team is experienced in handling time-sensitive projects and delivering high-quality results to tight deadlines – on time, every time. Contact us to discuss your urgent project requirements and how we can assist you.
Do you work with self-publishing authors?
Yes. We regularly support authors pursuing self-publishing, alongside those aiming for trade publication. We deliver publication-ready manuscripts and can provide guidance on next steps, including referrals to trusted designers, typesetters and publishing professionals, as well as website designers and specialist book publicists.
What format should I submit my manuscript in?
We prefer manuscripts submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) to allow for tracked changes and editorial comments. Other formats may be considered, but please contact us if you have questions.
What happens after editing is complete?
You’ll receive your edited manuscript, editorial reports, and a 1:1 Zoom feedback session. We’ll guide you through the revisions, answer questions, and discuss next steps. Optional follow-up reviews and publishing pathway support are available if needed.
What qualifications do your book editors have?
Our book editors are experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds in literature, publishing, journalism and the media. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to each project, ensuring high standards of quality and professionalism. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your book editing goals and bringing your manuscript to its fullest potential.
Can you edit manuscripts for specific genres?
Yes, our team has experience editing manuscripts across a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, academic works, business books, health manuals, gardening and cook books, and more. We tailor our book editing services to meet the unique needs of each genre, ensuring high-quality editing that enhances the clarity and crispness of your manuscript.