"They told me what my manuscript would cost before I signed anything. No surprises at all."— Fiona Gallagher, debut novelist
"I compared three services. Only this one broke down every euro clearly."— Declan Morrissey, memoir author
"Straightforward. Refreshing. I knew my total before week one."— Aisling Brennan, children's book writer
What Every Book Service Actually Costs
We don't sell packages. We price each task individually so you pay only for what your manuscript needs. Below is our full rate card — the same one we use internally.
Service Task
Unit
Rate (EUR)
Typical Range
Developmental Edit
per 1,000 words
€38
€1,520–€3,800
Line Editing
per 1,000 words
€26
€1,040–€2,600
Copy Editing
per 1,000 words
€18
€720–€1,800
Proofreading
per 1,000 words
€11
€440–€1,100
Interior Formatting (Print)
flat per book
€320
—
Interior Formatting (eBook)
flat per book
€210
—
Cover Design Consultation
per session (90 min)
€85
1–3 sessions
ISBN & Metadata Setup
flat
€55
—
Distribution Channel Upload
per platform
€40
1–4 platforms
Query Letter Review
per letter
€75
—
Rates effective January 2026. All prices exclude VAT where applicable. Word counts are assessed from your submitted manuscript file.
Honest Pricing for Every Stage of Your Book
Most book service providers bundle tasks into opaque packages. We believe authors deserve to see exactly where each euro goes. Select only the tasks you need, combine them freely, and receive a binding quote before any work begins. No retainers. No minimum commitments. No revision surcharges hidden in fine print.
This is the exact figure the author was invoiced. No add-ons appeared later.
How We Calculate Your Total
There is no algorithm behind our pricing — just multiplication. We count the words in your manuscript, you choose the services you want, and we multiply. Flat-rate tasks like formatting are added on top. The result is your binding quote.
Why no packages? Packages force you to pay for services you may not need. A manuscript that has already been through a writing group may not need a developmental edit. A self-published author uploading to a single platform doesn't need four distribution setups. We let you decide.
Revisions: One round of revision is included in every editing task. Additional rounds are charged at 40% of the original per-unit rate. This is stated in your quote document before you agree.
Rush turnaround: If you need delivery in under 10 business days, a 25% rush fee applies. This is the only conditional surcharge we ever add, and it's always disclosed upfront.
"I appreciated that revision costs were explained before I started, not after I asked for changes." — Ronan Fitzpatrick, historical fiction
Not Sure What You Need?
Send us the first three chapters and we'll return a free diagnostic note within 48 hours. No obligation, no payment details required.
Start with a developmental edit. This addresses structure, pacing, character arcs, and narrative logic. Line editing and copy editing can follow in a second pass once the big-picture issues are resolved. Attempting all three at once wastes money because structural changes invalidate line-level work.
spellcheckMy manuscript has been through beta readers
You likely need copy editing and proofreading. If beta readers flagged consistent issues with voice or flow, consider adding a line edit. Skip the developmental edit unless feedback suggests fundamental structural problems.
menu_bookI want to self-publish
You'll need at minimum: copy editing or proofreading, interior formatting (print and/or eBook), ISBN setup, and at least one distribution channel upload. Cover design consultation is optional but strongly recommended — covers sell books.
sendI want to query literary agents
Focus on getting your manuscript polished through editing, then add a query letter review. We do not write query letters for you, but we provide detailed feedback on structure, hook, and positioning. Distribution and formatting are not needed at this stage.
What Authors Report After Working With Us
Clarity Before Commitment
"I received a detailed quote within a day of sending my manuscript. Every line item was explained. I've never experienced that with a book service before."
— Niamh O'Sullivan, poetry collection, 2025
No Scope Creep
"My final invoice matched my quote to the cent. They didn't try to upsell me on services I hadn't asked for. That alone made them worth recommending."
— Ciarán Walsh, business non-fiction, 2024
Ready to see what your manuscript will cost? We respond to every enquiry within one business day.
We operate on three commitments that shape every interaction with authors:
1. Price Transparency. Every rate is published. Every quote is binding. We do not adjust pricing after work has begun unless you request additional services in writing.
2. Honest Assessment. If your manuscript doesn't need a service, we'll tell you. We've turned away developmental edit requests when the manuscript clearly only needed a proofread. Short-term revenue isn't worth long-term trust.
3. Author Ownership. Your manuscript, your decisions. We provide recommendations and edits, but you retain full control over what changes are accepted. We never impose stylistic preferences that override your voice.
Frequently Raised Pricing Questions
Three questions we hear most often from first-time authors.
Can I split payment across milestones?
Yes. For totals above €1,500, we offer a 50/25/25 split: half on agreement, a quarter at the midpoint, and the remainder on delivery. No interest or fees apply to split payments.
What if my word count changes during editing?
Your quote is based on the submitted manuscript length. If structural edits increase or decrease the word count by more than 10%, we'll issue an adjusted quote for subsequent tasks. The current task's price remains locked.
Do you offer discounts for multiple services?
No. Our per-task rates are already set at what we consider fair for the quality delivered. We don't inflate base rates to create the illusion of a discount when bundled. The price you see is the price you pay.
Find Us & Reach Out
location_on 5264 Barbara Groves, North Rubyfield, California, P61 5Z78, Ireland
Book Integrity Honest ("we", "us") collects personal data solely to respond to your service enquiries and deliver contracted editorial services. We collect your name, email address, and any manuscript details you voluntarily provide through our enquiry form.
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties. Manuscript files are stored on encrypted servers during the project period and deleted within 30 days of project completion unless you request otherwise in writing.
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You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data at any time by emailing [email protected]. We will respond within 14 days.
This policy was last reviewed on 1 January 2026 and applies to all interactions through bookintegrityhonest.click.
Terms of Service
By submitting an enquiry or engaging our services, you agree to these terms. All quotes issued by Book Integrity Honest are binding for 30 days from the date of issue. Acceptance of a quote constitutes a service agreement.
Payment terms are net 14 days from invoice date unless a split payment arrangement has been agreed in writing. Late payments incur a flat €25 administrative fee per 30-day period.
We guarantee one round of revisions per editing task at no additional cost. Additional revision rounds are available at 40% of the original per-unit rate, as stated in your quote.
Either party may terminate a project with 7 days' written notice. In the event of termination, you will be invoiced for work completed to date at the agreed rates. No cancellation penalties apply.
All editorial work is performed by qualified professionals based in Ireland. We do not subcontract work without your prior written consent.
Disclaimer
The information presented on this website is for general informational purposes. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy of pricing and service descriptions, all engagements are governed by the individual quote and agreement issued to each client.
Book Integrity Honest provides editorial and publishing assistance services. We do not guarantee publication, literary agent representation, or commercial success of any manuscript. Editorial feedback reflects professional judgement and should not be construed as a guarantee of quality or marketability.
Rates displayed on this site are subject to periodic review. The rate applicable to your project is the rate stated in your accepted quote, regardless of subsequent website updates.
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