Book Editing With a Human Touch

Your book deserves the hands-on attention of a meticulous editor who thoroughly understands the craft of writing. I’ll work closely with you to strengthen your manuscript, improve its clarity and impact, and make your book the best it can be.

I’m Mike Valentino, a professional book editor, published novelist, and ghostwriter with more than 25 years of experience. I provide copy editing, developmental editing, and ghostwriting services for both fiction and nonfiction authors.

I work independently, which allows me to provide personal attention, high-quality work, and reasonable rates without the overhead of a large editing company. Many of my projects are priced at only one cent per word.

What Kind Of Editing Do You Need?

Every manuscript is different. That’s why I offer three levels of editing.

Copy Editing

  • One cent per word
  • Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage, and consistency while keeping your writing essentially unchanged.
  • Best for: Manuscripts that are already completed but still need a professional cleanup.

Enhanced Copy Editing

  • 1.2 to 1.5 cents per word
  • Everything included with copy editing, plus improvements to clarity, readability, sentence structure, and word choice.
  • Best for: Authors who want their manuscript to read more smoothly and professionally without compromising their message or storytelling.

Developmental Editing

  • 2 to 3 cents per word
  • A deeper look at the manuscript as a whole—including structure, pacing, organization, characters, scenes, narrative flow, and other issues that affect the reader’s experience.
  • Best for: Manuscripts that need substantial improvement before they’re ready for publication.

Not Sure Which Level Is Right For You?

Don’t guess. Let me show you.

Send me up to 10 pages of your manuscript and I’ll edit them for free.

You’ll be able to compare your original writing with the edited version and see exactly what I can do for your book.

GET MY FREE SAMPLE EDIT

Meet Your Editor

Your book won’t disappear into some faceless editing mill where you’re just another project.

You’ll work directly with me.

Whether your manuscript needs a final polish, substantial editing, or help developing the book itself, I work with you personally from beginning to end. Many clients have remained with me for multiple projects, several of them for more than ten years.

My Book Editing Experience

I’ve edited novels in a wide range of genres, including:

  • Action-adventure
  • Historical fiction
  • Science fiction and fantasy
  • Romance
  • Mystery
  • Christian fiction
  • Young adult
  • Women’s fiction
  • Military fiction
  • Urban fiction
  • And many others

I also enjoy editing nonfiction and have worked on a variety of books and subjects over the years.

Straightforward Pricing

You shouldn’t have to wonder what professional editing will cost.

My rates are based primarily on word count and the level of editing your manuscript requires.

Word Count

Copy Editing

Enhanced Copy Editing

50,000 words

$500

$600–$750

75,000 words

$750

$900–$1,125

100,000 words

$1,000

$1,200–$1,500

Developmental editing is on average 2.5 cents per word, based on the manuscript and scope of work.

GET MY FREE SAMPLE EDIT

“After the first sentence he edited, Editor Mike helped my voice flow without rambling or repeating myself.”

– Jonathan Cain.   Songwriter / Keyboardist for Journey, the world-famous rock band

“Mike Valentino’s editing work was superb. I sent him a very rough book manuscript. He delivered a fully edited manuscript on time and on budget.”

– Doug Kirkpatrick, author of “Beyond Empowerment: The Age of the Self-Managed Organization”. (featured in the Harvard Business Review) 

“Mike is my hero – he took my ‘pretty good’ writing and artfully elevated it to an easily publishable quality.”

– Dow Winscott

“An excellent analysis and constructive critique. Probably the best I’ve had from editors – even the ones in the Apple.”

-Terry James, Author of “The Rapture Dialogues”

“I was quite pleased with his knowledge and the professionalism of his work.”

– Dee Sanders

 

“Aside from being one of the most talented, knowledgeable and thorough editors I have worked with, Mike excels at partnering with and listening to the client and going the extra mile to ensure the success of the project.”

 – Lacey Hanes Ogle,
Associate Publisher, VMI Publishers

“Mike was easy to work with and a great help editing and correcting my biography of Jersey Joe Walcott, the legendary heavyweight boxing champ. McFarland is now publishing the book!”

– Jim Curl, member IBRO

“In my opinion, Mike is a master at making characters come alive. He breathed life into my book.

– Bob Moylan, LCPC

 

“Mike was always prompt in responding to any questions and concerns I had and he treated me like a partner throughout the entire process.” 

– Eliot Parker

 

“Mike has been a fantastic resource. He is professional and provides a fast turn-around. I never have to wait in limbo for my edits.”

– Brian Ford

“After the first sentence he edited, Editor Mike helped my voice flow without rambling or repeating myself.”

– Jonathan Cain.   Songwriter / Keyboardist for Journey, the world-famous rock band

“Mike Valentino’s editing work was superb. I sent him a very rough book manuscript. He delivered a fully edited manuscript on time and on budget.”

– Doug Kirkpatrick, author of “Beyond Empowerment: The Age of the Self-Managed Organization”. (featured in the Harvard Business Review) 

“Mike is my hero – he took my ‘pretty good’ writing and artfully elevated it to an easily publishable quality.”

– Dow Winscott

“An excellent analysis and constructive critique. Probably the best I’ve had from editors – even the ones in the Apple.”

-Terry James, Author of “The Rapture Dialogues”

“I was quite pleased with his knowledge and the professionalism of his work.”

– Dee Sanders

 

“Aside from being one of the most talented, knowledgeable and thorough editors I have worked with, Mike excels at partnering with and listening to the client and going the extra mile to ensure the success of the project.”

 – Lacey Hanes Ogle,
Associate Publisher, VMI Publishers

“Mike was easy to work with and a great help editing and correcting my biography of Jersey Joe Walcott, the legendary heavyweight boxing champ. McFarland is now publishing the book!”

– Jim Curl, member IBRO

“In my opinion, Mike is a master at making characters come alive. He breathed Life into my book.

– Bob Moylan, LCPC

 

“Mike was always prompt in responding to any questions and concerns I had and he treated me like a partner throughout the entire process.”

– Eliot Parker

 

“Mike has been a fantastic resource. He is professional and provides a fast turn-around. I never have to wait in limbo for my edits.”

– Brian Ford