Book editing and proofreading services for Indian authors.
Nobody proofreads a self-published book before it goes on sale — which means your readers do it, in the reviews. Developmental editing, copy editing and proofreading, priced by word count, with every change tracked so you keep the final say.
What is the difference between editing and proofreading?
Most authors ask for a proofread when what the manuscript actually needs is an edit. The three levels below run in order — there is no point polishing a chapter that a structural edit would cut.
Developmental editing
The book as a whole, not the sentences. Structure, pacing, whether the argument holds or the plot earns its ending, which chapters are carrying weight and which are padding.
- This is your first book
- You suspect something is wrong but can't name it
- Readers said it "dragged in the middle"
Copy editing
Line by line. Sentences reworked for clarity and rhythm, repetition cut, inconsistencies in names, dates, tense and spelling fixed, and anything that doesn't work flagged for you to decide on.
- The structure is settled
- No professional has read it yet
- You want the prose tightened, not just corrected
Proofreading
The final surface pass before print. Spelling, punctuation, typos, stray spacing and formatting slips — with your words left exactly as you wrote them.
- The manuscript has already been edited
- You only want mistakes caught
- You're checking a final proof before printing
In one line
Proofreading catches mistakes. Editing improves the writing. If your manuscript has never been read by a professional, you want editing — a proofread will leave every clumsy sentence exactly where it is, correctly spelled.
See an editor work on your own writing first.
Send your first three pages or your opening chapter. You get them back properly edited, with every change tracked, so you can judge the quality on your own manuscript rather than on a promise. If you go ahead with the full edit, the ₹1,000 is deducted from its price. Pay for the sample by UPI or bank transfer.
Send your opening chapterPriced by word count, quoted on enquiry.
Check your word count in Word or Google Docs before you enquire — it decides your tier, and we quote against it the same day.
Book editing
Line-by-line editing of the full manuscript, changes tracked.
- Up to 35,000 words
- 35,000 – 65,000 words
- Above 65,000 words
Proofreading
Final surface pass. Spelling, punctuation and formatting only.
- Up to 35,000 words
- 35,000 – 65,000 words
- 65,000 – 90,000 words
- Above 90,000 words
Editing and proofreading are also available as add-ons inside every publishing package, at a discount on the Lion and Tiger plans. Developmental editing is quoted per manuscript.
Which tier is my manuscript in?
Send this tier with your enquiry and we will quote against it.
From manuscript to clean copy in four steps.
Send a sample
Your first three pages or opening chapter, edited for ₹1,000, so you can judge the work before committing. The ₹1,000 is deducted if you go ahead.
Agree the level
We tell you honestly which edit your manuscript needs — and say so if a proofread is genuinely enough.
The edit
Every change tracked, with comments explaining the reasoning wherever a decision is yours to make.
You have the final say
Accept or reject each change. Nothing is altered without your approval, and the manuscript stays yours throughout.
Book editing in India, answered
How much does book editing cost in India?+
Editing and proofreading are both priced by manuscript length, in word-count tiers. Proofreading costs less than editing at every tier because it is a surface pass rather than a rewrite. Send us your word count and which level of edit you want and we will quote the same day — or start with a ₹1,000 sample edit of your opening chapter and decide afterwards. Editing is one line in a larger budget: see how much it costs to publish a book in India.
How are proofreading and editing charges worked out?+
Proofreading and editing are both charged by word count. Proofreading has four tiers: up to 35,000 words, 35,000 to 65,000, 65,000 to 90,000 and above 90,000. Book editing has three: up to 35,000, 35,000 to 65,000 and above 65,000. Developmental editing is quoted per manuscript. Tier prices are quoted on enquiry: send us your word count and we quote against your tier the same day. A sample edit of your opening chapter costs ₹1,000.
What is the difference between editing and proofreading?+
Proofreading is the final surface pass — spelling, punctuation, typos and formatting slips, with your words left as written. Editing goes deeper: sentences reworked for clarity, repetition cut, inconsistencies fixed and weak passages flagged. Proofreading catches mistakes; editing improves the writing. If no professional has read your manuscript yet, you want editing.
What is developmental editing?+
Developmental editing looks at the book as a whole rather than the sentences: structure, pacing, whether the argument holds or the plot earns its ending, and which chapters are pulling their weight. It comes first, because polishing a chapter that will later be cut is wasted money.
Which edit does a novel need?+
It depends on how far along the novel is. If it is your first book, or readers said it dragged in the middle, start with developmental editing, which looks at structure, pacing and whether the plot earns its ending. If the structure is settled, copy editing works line by line and fixes inconsistencies in names, dates and tense. Proofreading is the final pass before print.
How long does it take to edit a book?+
It depends on length and on which level of edit you choose. Ask for a written schedule when you receive your quote, and get it confirmed before you pay.
Will editing change my writing style or voice?+
No. A good edit makes your writing sound more like itself, not like the editor. Every change is tracked so you can see precisely what was altered and reject anything you disagree with. You have the final say on every sentence.
Do I need professional editing if I'm self-publishing?+
Nobody checks a self-published manuscript before it goes on sale, so your readers end up doing it — in the reviews. Typos and clumsy sentences are among the most common complaints in negative reviews of self-published books, and unlike a manuscript, a review can't be edited afterwards.
Can I see a sample edit before I commit?+
Yes. A sample edit of your first three pages or opening chapter costs ₹1,000, so you can judge the editor's work on your own writing rather than on a portfolio. If you go ahead with the full edit, the ₹1,000 is deducted from its price. You can pay by UPI or bank transfer.
Send your first chapter. See the difference before you decide.
A real editor works on your actual writing and sends it back with every change tracked. No obligation to book a full edit afterwards, and if you do, the ₹1,000 is deducted from its price.
