Author: Andrew David
Date:   11-20-06 03:33

Hi, everyone.

I realize that this may not be the best place to post my question, but I haven\'t had much luck finding editor forums. In any case, I\'m trying to determine how much to charge a client for copyediting (grammar, punctuation, clarity, and consistency) his 100,000-word novel.

For the past few years I have worked as a nonfiction editor at a university, but I\'m relatively new to freelance fiction editing. In September, I edited a short story and novel excerpt for this client and charged him $35 an hour. However, a 350-page novel seems like a different breed of walrus (or however the saying goes).

Incidentally, in comparison to some of the website that I\'ve seen and the nonfiction that I edit in my day job, my pace for his last batch of work may have been a bit slow (4 pages an hour). At the same pace and rate, I might consider charging him a flat rate of $4000, but that seems a bit steep--perhaps $3000 would be more fair.

I\'m hoping for this opportunity to be both profitable for me (of course) and reasonable for him, so I\'d be delighted with your input.

Thanks!

Author: Tracy Jordan
Date:   11-20-06 12:37

you may try guru.com. There are many editors there and you can skim their profiles there and see what the going rate is. You can also bid on jobs on a per job basis. Good luck!

Author: Just Me
Date:   11-20-06 20:54

I'm sure rates are different in different countries, but to me, $3000 for a copy-edit on a book this length seems incredibly steep.

I did freelance fiction editing for years, and unless this is an incredibly heavy edit, I'd be charging half that amount or less.

Four pages an hour is awfully slow, though. If it's because this client needs very heavy editing, then yes, you could charge a higher rate. If it's simply because you're still getting used to editing fiction, though, then it's unfair to charge him extra for that.

Author: June Casagrande
Date:   11-22-06 18:56

The National Writers Union Surveys its members on what they charge for everything from writing direct-mail pieces to proofreading and editing. The results are here:

http://nwu.org/nwu/index.php?cmd=showPage&page_id=1.3.14.2.4

Interesting reading for all.

Hope that helps.

- June

Author: Mya Bell
Date:   11-28-06 22:10

http://nwu.org/nwu/index.php?cmd=showPage&page_id=1.3.14.2.4