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message 1:
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Stephen
(new)
Jan 15, 2014 07:56PM
OK first off sorry if this has been done once before. But I am in need of a Good editor. Some one who is reputable, and efficient. I am asking because I have had three bad experiences with editors I have found previously. And obviously as a an Author I can't afford to throw away $500 on an editor that isn't going to do quality work.
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I need a substantive and copy editing. Writing Fiction is quite different from writing Non-fiction. I am not too worried about spelling errors but punctuation, grammar, and word usage are my problem areas.
I do both content editing and line editing. I have edited for several people here on Goodreads and edit for several publishers. Do you intend to self-publish your book? If so, you are wise to look for a quality edit. I am a really tough editor, but my goal is always to help the author produce a quality title that readers will want to read.
I also edit for content as well as spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Linda's questions are excellent, though rarely have I had a client give me that much information beforehand--in fact, never! But people are always asking me for estimates without my knowing a thing about their book, and that is, to say the least, quite difficult. I frequently ask to see a few pages so I can gauge how much work the manuscript needs.Anyhow, Stephen, if you'd like to contact me my email is [email protected]. You can also visit my business website and read client testimonials at:
http://marcysbookbuster.wordpress.com...#!
Lorna and Marcy thank you, I am just finishing up my novel, but am still a few months away from being ready to send to an editor. I will definitely keep you in mind when the time comes.
Sorry I'm weighing in late, but I would also be happy to help, although I'd say my strengths with fiction are fantasy and SF with an undercurrent of mystery. I'd say the other thing I can throw into the mix is that I'm a mean (in the good sense) continuity editor, probably a little more important in SFF and mystery than in, say, romance. I don't mind just being emailed: [email protected].
Linda wrote: "When you say "substantive editing," what do you mean?"He wants his punctuation, grammar, and word usage checked. He's not too worried about spelling, but I'm sure he'd like typos to be spotted as well.
Stephen, When you're ready, I can give you a free sample edit, a quote, and references.
Pattimari wrote: "What do you charge for editing?"If you're asking me, it depends on the requested service. You can see my rates on this webpage:
WolfEdit.com
Edward, I just took a look at your site. I've always had a problem charging by the hour, because I hate keeping track esp. since I keep very erratic hours! You know, I'll do a half hour then go out for a walk, then come back and work six, then stop and watch a movie, stuff like that. Keeping track feels so constraining to me. I prefer to give a flat fee, but the trouble with that is, whenever I figure it out later, it turns out I'm making about half of what I should make (half of your prices approximately). Any advice? Maybe I should just break down and do the hourly thing?
Most editors charge between one cent and half-a-cent per word, based on the manuscript as submitted. That way,both the author and editor know the cost up-front.
Marcy wrote: "Edward, I just took a look at your site. I've always had a problem charging by the hour, because I hate keeping track esp. since I keep very erratic hours! You know, I'll do a half hour then go ou..."I don't track my time. I calculate it in advance by timing how long it takes me to edit 3,000, then divide the total number of words by 3,000 and multiply that number by the hourly rate.
It's not a good system though, because it appears that I end up charging way less than everyone else. And it doesn't account for revisions, final proofing after the author has completed revisions, consultations based on recommendations, etc.
Although this post was directed at Edward, I can tell you that I use two different editors. One charges per word and one charges per page. In the end they both come out to cost the same. They are reasonable and they do an excellent job.
By the page and by the word is how most editors charge for works of fiction. With non-fiction, its generally by the hour...
That's interesting, I didn't know that. Thanks for teaching me something new.
I charge per word on a sliding scale, depending on what the free eval edit yields. A heavier edit will cost one cent per word for initial edits, and a typical edit will cost 1/2 cent per word. Final proof (if first-round edits are done by me) is only 1/4 cent per word, because the ms should be in good shape by then. I'll only do a final proof for that price if I've already done an eval on it to make sure it's as "done" as the author says it is.I keep track of the hours for my own future scheduling purposes. I found that my time varies too much, depending on what needs done, for me to give estimates based on the "per hour" timing. A lot of narrative slows me down, whereas a lot of dialogue moves through editing very quickly because there are simply fewer words per page.
You know, when I first started check on the prices of freelance editors, the going rates were 3 to 5 cents per word...On a 100,000 word manuscript that could be 3 to 5 thousand dollars.
Oh how the times have changed...
I had thought about charging per page or per word but decided that wasn't fair. Two authors with books of the same size but varying greatly in how much time and effort was needed would end up paying the same.If one book takes four days and a similarly sized book takes three weeks, then I feel the price should be commensurate.
Another problem with per page or per word is dialogue. A page is estimated to have 250 words on average. But with a lot of dialogue, there can be far less.
Nick wrote: "You know, when I first started check on the prices of freelance editors, the going rates were 3 to 5 cents per word...On a 100,000 word manuscript that could be 3 to 5 thousand dollars."
My time is valuable, but I can't imagine many self-pubs who would be able to pay that.
