How Can You Save Money on Editing?
This is one of the most common questions I receive from prospective clients. And rightfully so!
At a glance, the rates you’ll discover across the web will vary greatly. What you’ll find is that you’re often looking in the thousands of dollars for a novel-sized edit, and that just covers a single edit (Developmental, Line, or Copy) with most experienced professionals.
Let’s do some quick math based on the standard/average rates according to the Editorial Freelancers Association. We’ll use an 80,000-word fiction book as an example, and we’ll take the EFA’s lowest rates provided:
Developmental Edit ($0.03/word @ 80,000 words) = $2400.00
Line Edit ($0.04/word) = $3200.00
Copy Editing ($0.02/word) = $1600.00
Total: $7200.00 USD
If this is your first time seeing editing rates, take a deep breath. It’s okay. You don’t have to save up your annual rent to pay for an edit. Despite having a decade of experience in the business, these rates are 30% higher than anything I charge. Even then, I understand I might be out of your price range.
So, let’s say you’ve finished your novel and you want it to be excellent. You know you need an editor (everyone does!), but the EFA’s rates are way outside your acceptable range. So, what do you do? How can you save money on editing?
First, you must shop around. I understand this advice might seem strange coming from an editor (me) who is interested in getting your business, but it’s simple and healthy advice for any large investment. There are a variety of editors out there with a multitude of different skillsets and rates, and while not all editors are created equal, it’s important that you find the right fit at the right price.
You can start by contacting me with your book’s genre and word count, and I’ll provide you a reasonable quote with all the info you require. Do the same with other editors. If my price point is too much, then at least you know. Shop around!
Second, and this is most important of all: Do not step into an edit without having your book assessed first. This can save you literally thousands of dollars. Not every author needs a Developmental Edit! Or, if you do need a Developmental Edit, perhaps the Line Edit work you require is minimal and can be packaged in with the Developmental Edit cost at a significantly reduced price. This can all be discovered in an exploratory Book Assessment performed at a fraction of the price of an edit ($180-$400!).
Moreover, upon finishing the Book Assessment, I may suggest that your book isn’t ready for an edit, period. I have had a number of authors ask for a Book Assessment only for me to tell them their writing needs to level up before it sees a readership. This can be difficult news to hear, but the alternative is wasting thousands of dollars on a book that was never ready to begin with. And please keep in mind—it is not an editor’s job to rewrite your book for you.
I have had several authors pivot from the Book Assessment to my Author Mentorship Program. In every case, my clients leveled up their writing and finished the book they truly wanted to write. Better yet, they published a book they were proud of. Readers noticed, and the positive feedback followed.
On the other hand, after the Book Assessment has been completed, you may receive news that your book is ready for editing! In that case, I will provide you a comprehensive plan on what needs to happen and how you should move forward. You can choose to work with me, or you can find another editor that lines up better with your vision and price point. That’s 100% up to you.
The important part is going into the process with your eyes wide open, and knowing that, when you’ve finished, your book is ready and in the best shape it could ever be. Otherwise, what the heck was the point of going on this journey in the first place?