Teaser! "How much should a professional editor charge?"

And ... "How many beta readers should I use?"

This is my first novel and I have a ton of supportive friends and family that want to help by Beta-reading. I don’t know how much help would be too much?

Alle sez:

A Grand Generalization: In asking friends to read, about 1/4 of them won’t. They will simply never bring it up. The others - with rare exceptions - say they love it and move on.

Generally, I see writers finding much more success trading chapters with another writer—second only to hiring a pro.

I’ve paid five editors to read my work. Three turned out great. One was good on one essay and not so great on the second. The final was such an unsuccessful experience that I asked for a partial refund.

To find the editors:

I got a four bids and weighed the editor’s experience in conjunction with the proposed cost. I negotiated once, for terms, but did not bargain about the quoted fee. All artist deserved to be paid reasonably, and people who feel they are underpaid do not give their best to the project. If my budget doesn’t permit their rates ... well, that happens.

I would not go with a writer who has turned to editing unless they showed considerable success. (Always check references!)

For example, I wouldn’t hire me. I’m enthusiastic at a critique group, but I go off my gut. I have no formal training as an editor, and very little real-life experience. Go with a pro.

Now, the big question: how much should it cost?

Of course, your fee will have to take into account the length and number of words comprising your manuscript, and more importantly: what shape it is in.

If you write a single draft and then take one more run at it, correcting only spelling and grammar errors, you will be paying a lot more for editing; or getting a lot less of the real guidance you need than if, before engaging the editor, you:

• trade manuscripts with at least two other authors; and/or

• join a critique group. Receiving feedback at ten to fifteen pages each week, you should get through your book in about a year. Of course, you will have to read and comment on the other writers’ pages. The time commitment is considerable.

It’s worth it to pay a pro.

• I’ve seen big agencies quote up to $40,000. That is a ridiculous amount of money to spend.

• My sense is that anywhere between $1500 and $4000 is reasonable.

• Get three or four bids. Check references.

• Interview to gauge not only their experience but the chemistry between you:

  • you want to like this person and trust that they like you; and that

  • as I said in the previous post, all critique is intended to make your book its best.