1. R M

    R M Member

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    I need help deciding if editors fee offer is correct

    Discussion in 'Revision and Editing' started by R M, Sep 8, 2020.

    Hey guys. to make a long story short, I found a guy to edit my novella but his offer is 500$ plus 250 for the readsy fee and like an idiot i accepted without asking first. If anyone could tell me if this is a correct offer I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks and have a great day!

    Buy the way, my novella is about 20,000 words long
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
  2. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

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    I don't really know what the going rate is, but usually editors would offer a free sample of their editing - like the first page or something. I'd be more interested if the editor has a track record - who else has he edited for? Are there any references? Is he experienced in editing your genre? It's worth paying good money for a good editor. But a bad editor can ruin your book and even your love for your book - so, my view is: Either pay good money for a good one, because good ones don't come cheap, or don't get one at all. Better no editor than a bad one!
     
  3. NobodySpecial

    NobodySpecial Contributor Contributor

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    I’d think it depends on your editor’s track record, and what you’re getting for that fee. Is it a line edit or a developmental edit (not the same thing). What are the credentials? Is your editor ACES certified, or did he just hang out a shingle and say he’d give your work a look-see?
     
  4. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    For a good editor, it could be a steal. For a bad one, it's likely a waste of money. Hopefully, you checked out this guy and his work so you're going into it with the right expectations.
     
  5. Laurin Kelly

    Laurin Kelly Contributor Contributor

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    If this is a professional editor with a proven track record, and their fees include both line and developmental editing, that price sounds very reasonable - on the cheaper side, even.
     
  6. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    that sounds high for a 20k word novella... but its hard to say without knowing how much work your piece needs and what sort of service is being provided
     
  7. Homer Potvin

    Homer Potvin A tombstone hand and a graveyard mind Staff Supporter Contributor

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    Depends on the level of editing, but $500 seems a bit pricey for 20k words.
     
    Cave Troll likes this.
  8. More

    More Active Member

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    It is almost impossible to give good answer . There are so many variables . How much work your writing needs and how good the thorougher editor is
    But if you say your work is not that good and the editor is not very experienced. A 1000 words an hour would be reasonable . $750 divided by 20 is $37 an hour . In the UK you would be looking at a rate lower than that. A good experienced editor can edit 1500 words an hour . So my conclusion is , they are on the expensive side .
     

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