editing & compensation

[adetaildiva]

editing a book

Okay. The "Virgin" has what could be perceived as a silly/stupid question. I know that I'm a "Volunteer Editor" within the confines of Lit & have no qualms about honing my skills for free while aiding my authors in doing the same. However, I've been approached by one of my [yes, I'm a little territorial] authors about editing a manuscript (s)he wants to submit for possible publication. While I'm really excited & pleased about the trust/confidence shown in my abilities, I'm a little apprehensive really screwing up due to my own inexperience [see "virgin" reference].

[This is where gentle guidance from those more experienced would be appreciated.] At what point is it appropriate to ask about *looking around for eavesdroppers & whispering* compensation? For that matter, is it appropriate for me to broach that subject at all or is it best left for the author to offer an amount?

I really don't want to "beat a dead horse" if this has already been discussed ad nausem elsewhere. If so, please guide me to that thread & I'll exit stage right.

Thanks, in advance, to whomever chooses to respond!

 

[CopyCarver]

Okay. The "Virgin" has what could be perceived as a silly/stupid question. I know that I'm a "Volunteer Editor" within the confines of Lit & have no qualms about honing my skills for free while aiding my authors in doing the same. However, I've been approached by one of my [yes, I'm a little territorial] authors about editing a manuscript (s)he wants to submit for possible publication. While I'm really excited & pleased about the trust/confidence shown in my abilities, I'm a little apprehensive really screwing up due to my own inexperience [see "virgin" reference].

[This is where gentle guidance from those more experienced would be appreciated.] At what point is it appropriate to ask about compensation? For that matter, is it appropriate for me, as the editor, to broach that subject at all or is it best left for the author &/or publisher to offer an amount? Is there a "going rate" for editing something over a certain word count?

I really don't want to "beat a dead horse" if this has already been discussed ad nausem elsewhere. If so, please guide me to that thread & I'll exit stage right.

Thanks, in advance, to whomever chooses to respond!

After 20 years in the publishing business, on both sides of the editor’s desk, I’ve never heard of a single publisher paying an editor to rework an unsolicited or spec. submission. If a publisher is willing to pay an editor, they hire an editor—either as a staffer or an independent—to work on manuscripts that have already been accepted or are highly likely to be. Making “slush” manuscripts good enough to survive the final cut is the writer’s responsibility; if he/she needs help, that’s between the writer and you.

Whether you charge a writer for assistance, how much you can charge, and whether or not the writer will accept the arrangement depends whether the manuscript is going to a lucrative market, how badly the writer wants to be published, how long the manuscript is, how much editing it needs, how many hats you need to wear and how well you can perform those tasks, and whether you'd rather be a patron of the arts or drive a new Lrxus.

Personally, I’ve charged private clients as much as $25,000 for doctoring a book manuscript, but I’ve also worked pro bono on several novels and dozens of short stories. Like time and space, it’s all relative.

BTW, Virgin, I really like your olive oil

 

[adetaildiva]

A dab of oil here, a dab there....

Whether you charge a writer for assistance, how much you can charge, and whether or not the writer will accept the arrangement depends whether the manuscript is going to a lucrative market, how badly the writer wants to be published, how long the manuscript is, how much editing it needs, how many hats you need to wear and how well you can perform those tasks, and whether you'd rather be a patron of the arts or drive a new Lexus.

Personally, I’ve charged private clients as much as $25,000 for doctoring a book manuscript, but I’ve also worked pro bono on several novels and dozens of short stories. Like time and space, it’s all relative.

BTW, Virgin, I really like your olive oil

It's good to know someone likes my oil! I really appreciate the info you've shared (& am jealous of the $25K). Now I'm going to go contemplate my navel about all this & try to figure out how best to proceed. And, while the arts are fun, I think I'd like to have the wherewithall to think about having the Lexus!!

Thanks, CC! You're a peach!

 

[RogueLurker]

This is probably best discussed between you and the author. If you are expecting compensation (even if it's a copy of the book), it should probably be discussed up front. If you've been VEing for them here, they might expect that a editing a manuscript for them would also be Volunteer or something done out of friendship.

I wouldn't hold my breath in hopes of 25K , but chances are you'll get a thank you. Or not ....

 

[CopyCarver]

I wouldn't hold my breath in hopes of 25K , but chances are you'll get a thank you. Or not ....

The 25K was for a novel that sold moderately well and then became a movie. The Litsters have been freebies, but the thank yous are almost a given.