You were promised two weeks. Two weeks to refine your manuscript, improve the prose, and get that novel one step closer to publication.

And now it’s been seven!

Not seven days. Seven weeks. And all you have got to show for it is one vague email that says, “Still working through some structural issues, will get back to you soon.”

If this sounds familiar to you, trust me, you are not the only one. Every year, thousands of authors fall into the same slow editing turnaround time warp where days stretch into months and manuscripts disappear into the Bermuda Triangle.

So, why does it take some book editing services forever to finish a job? And more importantly, what can you actually do about it?

The following blog will answer these questions, along with what good editing timelines look like, how to spot red flags before you hire an editor, and even how you can gently call out how authors sometimes contribute to the problem.

So, let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

• Not all book editing delays are your fault, but knowing the real causes helps you avoid costly setbacks.
• When hiring an editor, remember that clear timelines, contracts, and communication are non-negotiables.
• Understanding what type of editing your book actually needs can save you weeks of back-and-forth.
• Self-editing is helpful, but professional eyes are essential for a publish-ready manuscript.
• Affordable and professional editing services don’t have to take forever; you just need the right service with the right systems.

What Does “Take Forever” Actually Mean in the Editing World?

First, let’s define our terms. Because when authors say, “It’s taking forever!” and editors say, “We’re still on track!” they are often speaking different languages.

So… what is “forever,” anyway?

In regular human terms, “forever” might mean five years, or waiting for the next season of your favorite show to drop. In editing world terms, though? “Forever” usually means:

• 3+ months for a standard 80K-word manuscript
• Weeks of silence from your editor
• Vague “almost done” emails with no attached files
• That creeping feeling you’ve been forgotten

And yet, some book editing services say this is normal. But is it?

Well… yes and no.

Industry Norms vs. Reality

Let’s set a benchmark. For an average-length novel (say, 70K–90K words), here’s what standard timelines often look like when a book editing service is on top of things:

• Developmental Editing: 3–5 weeks
• Line Editing: 2–3 weeks
• Copyediting: 1–3 weeks
• Proofreading: 1–2 weeks

These timelines assume:

• The editor is actually focused on your project
• Communication is clear
• No major rewrites mid-way

So when an 80K-word manuscript takes 12+ weeks for just one round of editing, something’s off.

Why the Disconnect?

Honestly, “Forever” feels like forever when no one’s telling you what’s going on. Authors are left wondering:

• “Did they even start my book?”
• “Are they editing a page a day… with a blindfold on?”
• “Are they running it through a typewriter on a mountaintop somewhere?”

That silence? That’s where the frustration grows.

For authors staring down a launch date, prepping for a tour, or just aching to get their book out, it’s like being chained to a timeline full of “…” and “we’ll see.”

If you’ve ever wondered how long it takes to edit a book or even specifically how long it takes to edit a novel, just know that your gut isn’t wrong for feeling impatient. A good book editing service should be upfront about timelines, and they shouldn’t leave you second-guessing for weeks on end.

Don’t fall for the idea that editing must drag on endlessly to be “thorough.” Affordable and professional editing services can be both timely and top-tier when they’re run right.

Types of Book Editing and Why Timelines Vary So Much

One of the biggest reasons authors feel like editing takes forever? They don’t always know what kind of editing they’ve signed up for or how different each type actually is.

1. Developmental Editing

Think of this as the architectural review of your book. Developmental editors look at:

• Story structure
• Plot holes
• Character arcs
• Pacing
• Thematic clarity

If your story has a saggy middle, a forgettable protagonist, or 17 different timelines that don’t line up, this is the edit that’ll save you.

But it also takes time. Developmental editing often involves:

• Multiple read-throughs
• Long editorial letters
• Rewrites
• Strategy sessions

Reasonable turnaround: 3–5 weeks for 80K words. Longer if it involves coaching, multiple passes, or major rewrites

2. Line Editing

Now that your story’s solid, line editors zoom in. They focus on:

• Flow
• Sentence structure
• Voice consistency
• Repetition
• Tone

They’re the ones turning clunky phrasing into remarkable prose. This stage is surgical and time-consuming in its own right.

Reasonable turnaround: 2–3 weeks for 80K words

3. Copyediting

Copyeditors are your grammar police, style enforcers, and fact-checkers. They help you with:

• Spelling
• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Word choice
• Style consistency

This is the polishing phase before proofreading. And if your draft is clean to begin with, this can go fairly fast.

Reasonable turnaround: 1–3 weeks for 80K words

4. Proofreading

The last set of eyes. This stage is all about catching:

• Typos
• Missed punctuation
• Double spaces
• Weird formatting
• Final inconsistencies

Reasonable turnaround: 1–2 weeks for 80K words

Why Some Stages Take Longer Than Others

Some editing types are quick fixes. Others require deep thinking, tough love, and multiple rounds of review. Developmental edits can trigger rewrites that delay everything. And if you have mixed editing types together in one service (say, developmental and copyediting), your timeline just doubled.

Still, a quality book editing service will communicate clearly about which stage you’re in and what to expect.

You deserve transparency. Not time loops.

However, the good news is that many affordable book editing companies offer tiered editing services so you can pick what you need, without overpaying or waiting for eternity.

The Real Reasons Editing Gets Stuck in the Mud

You handed over your manuscript with a hopeful smile and a signed agreement. The editor nodded and said, “You’ll have it back in two weeks.”

Now it’s week seven, and your inbox is quieter.

So… what happened?

Let’s lift the curtain on the all-too-common reasons for editing timelines.

1. Too Many Clients, Not Enough Editors

This one’s brutal but common. Some book editing services say “yes” to every project. Why? Because they’re trying to scale. Or survive. Or just wildly overestimate their capacity.

What ends up happening?

• Your book is one of 17 on a crowded desk
• Editors juggle deadlines
• You get delays… or worse, silence
• Professional editing takes focus. When editors are overbooked, your manuscript gets sidelined.

2. No Clear Scope or Agreement

Ever start a group project without assigning roles? Chaos.

The same thing happens when you hire an editor and don’t:

• Define the editing type
• Set word count limits
• Clarify the number of passes or revisions

This results in confusion and frustration on both ends. Your editor might be waiting for clarity. You might be waiting for… anything.

3. Poor Communication / Ghosting

Some editors start strong with eager messages, then vanish mid-edit. You send polite follow-ups. Nothing. Eventually, maybe you get a vague reply or… a total blackout.

Common causes:

• Personal emergencies
• Burnout
• Overwhelm
• Poor organization

Whatever the reason, you’re left in limbo and your book is, too.

4. Endless Revisions

Editors aren’t therapists. (Okay, sometimes they feel like they are.)

But if you keep changing the manuscript mid-edit, adding new chapters, shifting the plot, and renaming every character, it becomes a moving target. That forces your editor to start over again… and again… and again.

5. Your Editor Has a Day Job. And a Side Hustle

Many freelance editors are juggling:

• Day jobs
• Other client work
• A memoir they’ve been editing since 2008

If your editor hasn’t blocked out dedicated time for your book, it’ll get squeezed in between everything else. That’s how a two-week job turns into two months.

6. Your Editor Is a Perfectionist (and That’s Not Always Good)

Some editors go deep. Like… microscope-deep. They spend 90 minutes debating whether to remove a comma.

While this sounds noble, it becomes a problem when:

• The edits never end
• You’re stuck in perfection limbo
• They can’t hit deadlines because they’re chasing invisible errors
• Editing should be thorough, not eternal.

How Long Should Editing Take, Really?

Now that we have talked about all the messy reasons editing can drag on like the last season of your least favorite TV reboot, let’s talk about what’s normal.

Because when you Google how long does it take to edit a book, you’re going to get every answer from “a few days” to “a few months.” Which one is right?

The actual answer is, it depends, but not that much.

Let’s look at what realistic editing timelines actually look like when you’re working with a professional, focused, and transparent book editing service.

The Real Editing Timeline

Editing Type	Word Count	Reasonable Timeframe
Developmental Editing	80K Words	3 – 5 Weeks
Line Editing	80K Words	2 – 3 Weeks
Copyediting	80K Words	1 – 3 Weeks
Proofreading	80K Words	1 – 2 Weeks

 

• These timelines assume the editor is focused solely on your project.
• If you’ve requested multiple editing types, multiply accordingly.
• If you have a tight launch date, always add a buffer.

And if someone promises to edit your entire 90K-word novel in 48 hours for $79? You should run!

Trust me, that’s not “fast.” That’s either a scam or a cut-and-paste job with Grammarly.

Why Some Editors Move Faster Than Others

Great editing is all about clarity and efficiency.

A good editor:

• Has a structured process
• Uses tools to streamline
• Knows how to prioritize feedback
• Communicates delays early

Still wondering how long it takes to edit a novel without going broke or gray? The truth is, a professional book editing service that values your time will stick close to the timelines above. If it’s taking longer than that, they’d better have a really good reason and be keeping you in the loop.

How Authors Accidentally Slow the Whole Thing Down

This part’s not a scolding, it’s a warm, compassionate tap on the shoulder.

Because while it’s tempting to blame editing delays entirely on the editor or service, sometimes… It’s us, the authors. Sometimes we slow things down without even realizing it.

So let’s talk about a few ways writers unintentionally turn a smooth editing job into a chaotic and time-sucking spiral.

1. Sending a Draft that’s Not Ready

Your editor’s job is to polish, refine, and improve, not to translate the half-thoughts of your writing sprint.

If your manuscript:

• Has characters that disappear mid-story
• Switches tenses five times in one paragraph
• Is still labeled “Final Draft v17_FOR REAL_THIS TIME_FINALfinal.docx”

…it’s going to take longer to edit. A lot longer.

Before you send anything off, run it through:

• One or two self-edit passes
• Basic grammar tools (Grammarly, Hemingway)
• A sanity check from a trusted beta reader

2. Changing the Manuscript Mid-Edit

You have handed your manuscript off. The editor is two chapters deep when suddenly… You email them a new version.

“Actually, I decided to rewrite the ending. Oh, and I added two new characters. Hope that’s cool!”

Trust me, it’s not.

This forces the editor to start over, and your timeline just ballooned. If you must make a major change, talk to your editor about it first. They may need to pause and reassess the scope (and yes, the cost).

3. Not Responding to Editor Questions

Sometimes editors need quick answers:

• “Should this character’s name really be spelled three different ways?”
• “Is this chapter meant to be a flashback or a dream?”
• “Can you clarify this section?”

If you disappear for days or weeks, the editing process stops.

4. Requesting Major Changes After a Minor Edit

If you’ve hired someone for copyediting, but suddenly want story structure feedback, you’re now requesting developmental editing, and that’s a whole new cycle all over again.

That’s not wrong. But it does change the timeline.

Choose the right type of editing before you start. If you’re unsure, a reputable book editing service can guide you through that.

How to Speed Things Up (Without Sacrificing Quality)

You want your book edited. You want it edited well. And you’d prefer not to be holding a candle in the window for three months, wondering if your editor was abducted.

Good news: there are ways to move faster without cutting corners or skipping steps.

Here’s how to shave weeks off your editing timeline, while still walking away with a refined and professional book you’re proud to publish.

1. Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring

Want to avoid a future meltdown? Ask these:

• What type of editing do I need based on this draft?
• What’s your typical turnaround time for this word count?
• How many revision passes are included?
• What’s your communication process?

Pro editors love clients who ask these questions. It shows you’re serious, and it helps you both avoid confusion down the line.

And if a service can’t answer these clearly? That’s not a good sign.

2. Send the Cleanest Draft You Can

Even if you’re hiring a line editor or copyeditor, doing your own “pre-clean” can:

• Speed up their process
• Cut down on costs
• Get you better results

This doesn’t mean you need to be perfect. But it does mean:

• Spellcheck is your friend
• Don’t leave plot holes the size of small nations
• Avoid placeholder dialogue

A great and affordable book editing service will polish your work, but they shouldn’t have to wade through chaos to find the diamonds.

3. Know What Kind of Editing You Need

Don’t book proofreading if your structure is still wobbling. Don’t pay for developmental editing when you’re two typos away from done.

• Confused? Here’s the cheat sheet:
• Developmental Editing = story, structure, characters
• Line Editing = flow, pacing, voice
• Copyediting = grammar, clarity, consistency
• Proofreading = final polish

Pick the right one, and you’ll save both time and money.

4. Build in Buffers for Feedback

Even with the fastest editor on the planet, you still need time to:

• Review comments
• Make changes
• Ask questions

Don’t expect a same-day turnaround on revisions. Instead, schedule with room to breathe. If you need your book ready for a November release, don’t start editing in October.

5. Use Contracts with Clear Deadlines

A timeline in your head doesn’t count. A timeline in a signed agreement? Now we’re talking.

That’s what separates a hopeful handshake from a professional plan.

Bonus: Many affordable professional editing services build timelines right into their process. No guessing. Just mutual accountability.

6. Consider a Full-Service Team

Sometimes it’s faster to work with an editing agency or service that handles:

• Editing
• Formatting
• Proofreading
• Publishing support

That way, you’re not emailing three different freelancers, waiting for overlapping timelines, and hoping everything lines up.

Plus, bundled services often save time and money.

DIY Option – How to Edit Your Own Book

Look, we get it.

You’re tired of waiting. Your editor vanished. Your timeline’s tighter. And then the question starts creeping in… “Can I just edit the thing myself?”

The short answer: yes, sort of.

The long answer: yes, but know your limits.

Let’s discuss it in detail:

When Self-Editing Is Useful

There are plenty of times when a DIY edit is not only smart, it’s essential.

• Early Drafts: Nobody should see your first draft but you.
• Tight Budgets: Before you spend on professional edits, clean up what you can.
• Between Rounds: After developmental edits, polish your draft before moving to line or copyediting.

During these phases, self-editing can help you:

• Catch obvious grammar and spelling errors
• Tighten awkward sentences
• Remove overused words (just, really, very, totally, you get it)
• Eliminate inconsistencies
• And tools like ProWritingAid, Grammarly, or Hemingway Editor? Great options.

When It’s a Terrible Idea

Editing your own book at the final stage is like defusing a bomb with a butter knife. Why? Because you’re too close to the work. Your brain autocorrects what you meant to write. You’ll miss:

• Typos
• Inconsistencies in names or timeline
• Awkward phrasing you no longer notice
• Repetition

Even professional editors hire other editors for their own books. That’s how important an outside perspective is.

The Middle Ground: Smart Self-Editing + Pro Help

Here’s the winning formula:

• Self-edit your draft with intention.
• Use tech tools to catch low-hanging errors.
• Send the cleanest version possible to a professional editor.

This keeps costs down, improves turnaround time, and gets you better results. Many affordable book editing services even offer manuscript assessments or “light edits” to help you figure out what level of help you really need.

Final Thoughts

Before you hire a book editor, ask yourself:

• Do I know exactly what kind of editing I need?
• Have I seen a clear timeline and scope of work?
• Does this editor (or service) offer updates and communication checkpoints?
• Do they have reviews or testimonials that prove they deliver?
• Is there a written agreement with expectations on both sides?
• Am I sending the cleanest draft I can manage?

If you answered “yes” to most of those, you’re well on your way to a smooth, professional editing experience.

If not? Don’t settle.

There are affordable professional editing services out there (yes, ours included) that won’t leave you in the dark, won’t drag your project out for months, and won’t charge you the price of a used car just to fix a few commas.

Whether you’re looking for affordable book editing, trying to figure out how long it takes to edit a book, or comparing affordable book editing companies, just know this: Your book deserves more than “we’ll get to it soon.”

It deserves attention, clarity, and care from start to final proof.

And if you’re tired of waiting?

There’s a better way. Talk to us! We’ll keep it fast, focused, and professional, because that’s how editing should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to edit a book?

A professional book edit typically takes 1–5 weeks, depending on the editing type and word count.

Why do some book editing services take so long?

Delays often happen due to vague timelines, overbooked editors, or a lack of clear communication.

Can I edit my own book instead of hiring someone?

You can self-edit early drafts, but a professional editor is essential for polishing your final manuscript.

What should I look for in a reliable book editing service?

Look for clear timelines, a defined editing process, contracts, and responsive communication.

How can I avoid delays in the editing process?

Send a clean draft, choose the right type of editing, and work with services that value deadlines and quality.

Why does editing take so long?

Editing is a deep and detailed process that refines your content’s structure, tone, clarity, and overall impact. Editors examine flow, logic, grammar, voice consistency, formatting, readability, and more.

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About Author

Hi My name is Micheal Adams, When I am not watching horror movies and helping my kids with homework or reading my favorite fantasy/supernatural novels – I’m writing to guide aspiring authors. I focus on exploring and simplifying both the technical aspects and the often-overlooked details of book writing and publishing so I can empower new writers to climb the Amazon bestseller list and connect with more readers.