Editing and Ghostwriting Services

Proofed & Proven ghostwrites and edits nonfiction for subject-matter experts, business leaders, marketing teams, academics, and authors. I work in AP, Chicago, APA, MLA, and AMA styles, and my clients include Travelzoo, BetterHelp, dLocal, and university researchers publishing in journals such as Frontiers in Neuroscience. Rates and timelines are below so you can budget before you email me.

2026 rates

Service	Rate	What it covers
Nonfiction ghostwriting	$0.10–$0.15 per word	A full book written from your interviews and existing content. A typical 25,000–50,000-word book costs $5,000–$7,500.
Copyediting	$55 per hour or $0.035–$0.045 per word	Grammar, punctuation, syntax, tone, style-guide compliance, citations, and light fact-checking
Line editing	$65 per hour or $0.05–$0.06 per word	Clarity, flow, sentence structure, word choice, pacing, precision, and consistency
Proofreading	$45 per hour or $0.03–$0.04 per word	Final errors and formatting or style inconsistencies in publication-ready content
Marketing copyediting plans	$450 trial for 4 pieces; $2,200 or $3,200 a month	Copyediting and a final proofread on every piece, returned in two business days

Editing timelines

Length	Typical turnaround
Under 10,000 words	Less than 2 weeks
10,000–30,000 words	2 weeks
30,000–60,000 words	3 weeks
61,000 words or more	About 1 month, or negotiated
Enterprise volume	1–3 business days to 1 week, priced by volume

Need it sooner? Rush delivery adds 50% to the fee for about 50% faster turnaround, or 100% for about 75% faster turnaround.

Nonfiction ghostwriting

I ghostwrite nonfiction books for subject-matter experts who want a professionally written book built from their expertise, interviews, and existing content such as podcasts, blogs, articles, and newsletters. The rate is $0.10–$0.15 per word, and a typical 25,000–50,000-word book costs $5,000–$7,500. Outline development and developmental guidance are included.

Here’s how a book gets written:

1. Up to 10 hours of interviews. I capture your expertise, examples, stories, and point of view.
2. Voice profile and your approval. We set tone, language, and style before full drafting begins.
3. First-chapter audition. You approve the voice, structure, and approach before I write the rest of the manuscript.
4. Two-week writing sprint. Drafting starts once 80% of the interviews are done.

Compare the cost of ghostwriting with writing the book yourself.

Marketing copyediting (AP style)

I copyedit blog posts, ads, web copy, case studies, and white papers in AP style or your in-house style guide, and I return tracked changes in Google Docs or Word within two business days. I’ve copyedited travel copy for Travelzoo for five years. Start with four pieces for $450, then choose a monthly plan at $2,200 or $3,200.

See pricing and details for marketing copyediting.

Copyediting, line editing, and proofreading

I edit business and marketing content, academic writing, nonfiction books, poetry collections, essays, blogs, and articles.

Poetry collections: line editing for rhythm, word choice, and flow, plus copyediting and proofreading. You can read reviews from poets I’ve worked with on my Reedsy profile.

Academic writing: dissertations, theses, journal articles, and research reports in APA, MLA, AMA, or Chicago style. I have a physics background, and I’ve worked with university researchers, public health researchers, and journals including Frontiers in Neuroscience.

Nonfiction books: full-length manuscripts in Chicago style. My publishing partners have included Andrews McMeel and Macmillan.

What I don’t edit

I edit nonfiction and poetry. I don’t edit novels or memoirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which service do I need?

If you want a book and don’t have time to write it, choose ghostwriting. If your draft is finished and needs correcting, choose copyediting. If the sentences need to read more clearly, choose line editing. If the piece is ready to publish and needs a final check, choose proofreading.

How much does it cost to ghostwrite a nonfiction book?

The rate is $0.10–$0.15 per word. A typical nonfiction book runs 25,000–50,000 words, which puts most projects at $5,000–$7,500, including up to 10 hours of interviews, the outline, and a first-chapter audition you approve before I write the rest.

How long does editing take?

Under 10,000 words takes less than two weeks. 10,000–30,000 words takes two weeks, and 30,000–60,000 words takes three weeks. Longer manuscripts take about a month. Rush delivery is available for 50% or 100% more.

Which style guides do you work in?

AP, Chicago, APA, MLA, and AMA. If your organization has an in-house style guide, send it with your first piece, and I’ll edit with it.

How do I get a quote?

Email a sample to editing@proofedandproven.com with your word count and deadline. I’ll edit a few pages so you can see my style, then send a quote with the price and turnaround.

Send me a sample

Email a sample to editing@proofedandproven.com, and I’ll show you my edits before you commit to anything.