I can’t afford an editor. I paid (insert four figures here) for my editor.
These two statements are often seen on social media, leaving many independent authors to wonder just how much they should pay for their editors. Checking the rates on the editorial freelancers association, fiction is among the lowest paying editorial projects, and yet there’s a difference too in pay between working for a publisher and having a well established client base. In fact, some publishers pay editors on royalties which is great if the book is a best seller, but if it isn’t, that can leave the editor receiving pennies on the dollar, if even that.
How much should an independent author pay for an editor?
There’s no easy answer to this except to say no more than your budget can afford. Most editors, including myself, work on a deposit system. Some want anywhere from 25% to 50% up front (For most projects, Epona Author Solutions asks for 25%.) and the rest comes as soon as the final edits are delivered. This allows you to break up the cost into a couple of different payments, and there are some editors, including myself, who offer payment plans.
What would a payment plan look like? On average, the payment is broken up in to four payments of 25% each and the edits aren’t completed until those payments are done.
I’d like to offer a sliding scale, because I do believe that every author deserves a great edit, but I haven’t found a good way to implement that yet.
Average Rates
On average expect to pay anywhere between half a cent and two cents per word if you’re looking for a way to estimate what your editing project will cost. That’s going to be between $400 and $1600 for an 80,000 word novel, half that for a 40,000 word novel. That’s quite the range!
On my editing services page, I charge less for copy editing which is simply editing to look for misspellings and typos than I do for regular editing, which is where I will offer comments, suggestions, and thoughts on the work as I read.
Developmental editing, where a book is read and detailed notes are provided on plot, characters, pacing, and structure, comes in at the higher end of those figures if not more.
The bottom line is that it breaks my heart to hear authors say they can’t afford an editor. I get it. I really do. Times are difficult and not everyone has even a couple hundred dollars to spare for an editor. But I also encourage authors to look around, check different services, and be flexible.
I also don’t believe there’s complete truth in you get what you pay for. I don’t wish to disparage many lower cost editors. I can only speak for myself. I am aware that my rates are on the lower side of those averages, but as I’ve said, I believe that every author deserves a good editor, and also, I live in an area where the cost of living is less than in other places. As long as the rates are fair to the editor just because someone doesn’t charge the upper end of the averages, doesn’t mean that their edit isn’t going to be good for you.
I’m afraid this doesn’t leave an author with an easy to use calculation to find out editing rates. But I hope it reassures those who worry that editing is out of their budget and perhaps provides a little clarity into editing prices. And if you have any questions about an editor’s service or work, the important thing is to ask. Often you can tell a lot about an editor (or any business) by how they interact with inquiries.
The bottom line is that a good editor will champion your work, will want you to be a better author, and offer support which in the end is really priceless.
Right now, when you book through Epona Author Solutions AND pay your deposit before August 15, you’ll receive a 10% discount. Just mention my summer sale when you request a quote.