Editing Rates Explained
I have been a
professional editor for over seven years, and during that time, I have learned
a lot about what to charge and what other editors charge. I did my research on
Google, and I talked to fellow editors. But I always went a little low on my
rates because I am a published author and I know how important it is to get
your book published. In the first few years of my editing business, I was also
working full-time. However, when I lost my job due to COVID, I was able to do
editing full-time. And after a few years of helping writers become published
authors by also offering formatting and self-publishing services, I decided to
transition my editing company into a publishing company, Get It Write Publishing. I also still offer
editing services on the side for those who want to self-publish and not use a
publishing company.
Needless to say, after a couple of years of starting my editing business, I raised my rates, but it wasn’t until recently that I didn’t realize that industry standards for editing and proofreading go up every year. And I don’t think a lot of writers or published authors realize that there is an industry standard. *Editors: Please note that you don't have to go by these rates; they're suggestions for what is standard.
According to the Editorial Freelancers Association:
I've seen a lot of people who post to advertise for an editor and say their budget is $50 or $100 or something like that for a full-length book. (One person wanted an editor for $40 to edit a 60,000-word book!!) There are editors out there who will do it for that little, but please remember that you get what you pay for. Why is that person charging so little? More than likely, they need fast cash and will glance over your manuscript with possibly a few minor changes or suggestions. JUST BE CAREFUL of people who charge so little! **No editor is perfect, but your book should not be full of mistakes and should be professionally edited.
Also, please remember that just because someone loves to read and may have a good eye for catching errors, doesn't mean they're an editor. There is such a misconception of what an editor does. . . and there are several different TYPES of editors out there. Do your research before hiring or ask some published authors who have used professional editors.
So when you’re ready to hire an editor, choose one who will do the best job for your book and who has experience, reviews, and references. When you first get a quote for editing, it may shock you at what somebody charges, but realize this. We are professionals, and if we don’t come close to industry standards, how can we make a living? You will go on to publish your book and, hopefully, make a lot of money in royalties, so you will eventually get that money back. It will be worth it because you will have your book professionally edited and proofread.
Editors usually charge based on a few things: word count, timeframe for finishing, what type of editing (copy, line, developmental, etc.), and sometimes even genre. Keep that in mind when asking for a quote.
Remember: You may sell many books and even get on the "best seller" list at some point, but if your book isn't properly edited/proofread, you may get bad reviews and no recommendations. I have some clients who came to me after getting bad reviews/feedback from their books because they were not edited or proofed. A few errors here and there are fine, normal even, but you don't want the book to be a disaster!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at mlopataeditor@gmail.com with any questions or concerns you may have. You can also visit the Get It Write Publishing website for lists of our services. I guarantee you that the quality
and professionalism we offer will be worth every penny.
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