Thanks for that! Learned more about editing in that half hour than I have all year. I know who I’ll be reaching out to when my manuscript is ready... and don’t worry, I’ll review the “don’ts” one last time before I do.
Yeah, I didn't go into enough detail when I said that. I meant $500-$1,000 for just the barest of edits, like catching a couple of typos, etc. Anyway, I don't see how people can afford $3,000 unless they have already published books that are making them a lot of money.
Sadly, money plays a role in these things, at least when it comes to self-publishing. I'm lucky in that I've been a professional writer/editor my entire life. And my wife is the same. So we edit each other. Even then, having yet another editor in addition to my wife and my Beta readers would be beneficial. But most editors will charge $500-$1,000.
$500-$1,000 is very low! Most pros are in the 3-5 cents/word range, at least those with significant experience and a track record. So more like $2-3,000 and up for a standard say 80K book.
My take on this topic, as a writer contracting editing services, is a little more acerbic: https://open.substack.com/pub/reiditwrite/p/essential-questions-before-hiring-a-book-editor?r=wtpo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
When people pay money, they pay attention. Price is a reflection of experience and value. Your prices seem very reasonable.
Any day now, 280 pages will arrive for my review. A biography of a civil rights leader. I can taste it....
Thanks for that! Learned more about editing in that half hour than I have all year. I know who I’ll be reaching out to when my manuscript is ready... and don’t worry, I’ll review the “don’ts” one last time before I do.
Awesome!! 👌👌
Yeah, I didn't go into enough detail when I said that. I meant $500-$1,000 for just the barest of edits, like catching a couple of typos, etc. Anyway, I don't see how people can afford $3,000 unless they have already published books that are making them a lot of money.
Won’t disagree there!
Sadly, money plays a role in these things, at least when it comes to self-publishing. I'm lucky in that I've been a professional writer/editor my entire life. And my wife is the same. So we edit each other. Even then, having yet another editor in addition to my wife and my Beta readers would be beneficial. But most editors will charge $500-$1,000.
Course obviously it depends and many editors use an hourly rate etc (as you know)
$500-$1,000 is very low! Most pros are in the 3-5 cents/word range, at least those with significant experience and a track record. So more like $2-3,000 and up for a standard say 80K book.