Why Is Editing So Expensive?

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As a professional editor, one of the questions that I often hear is Why is editing so expensive? Most writers are asking this from a place of respect and curiosity. It’s a valid question, after all. And it’s worth asking, especially when confronted with less-than-reputable editors who are charging rates significantly below industry standard.

So let’s break this down. Exactly why does editing cost so much, and how do editors set their rates?
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Time
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At their simplest, editing rates reflect the time invested in each project. When quoting a rate for a project, most editors calculate how much they’re going to receive hourly. According to the Editorial Freelancers Association, editors' hourly rates range from $30 to $60 per hour.

Expenses

When editors set their hourly rate, there are a few considerations. The above standards play into the equation. But freelance editors also have to factor in expenses that nine-to-five workers might not.

• office supplies
• software subscriptions
• reference materials
• self-employment taxes
• health insurance
• website hosting
• advertising costs

​All of the money you pay your editor does not go directly into their pocket. Self-employed editors are responsible for a lot more expenses than most writers realize.

Experience

Like individuals in any profession, experienced editors typically charge more. They've spent years developing their knowledge and skills, practicing their craft, and honing their editing expertise. When you pay more for an experienced editor, you’re paying for those years and the comfort of knowing your work is in good hands.

Expertise

Not everyone has the skills and expertise to edit effectively. But how much exactly is that expertise worth? This is where editors' rates begin to become more subjective.

​Especially when we're discussing specialties, nailing down exactly how much specific expertise is worth is challenging at best, impossible at worst. But we always wind up going back to those rate standards.

Financial Benefit

When discussing how much a product or service is worth, we often ask what the customer or client will receive in return. How much money will the service make the client? This is difficult when it comes to editing, since there is no guarantee that a book will make the author money. Then again, the book could make a ton of money. In either case, the editor's fee doesn’t change. The editor receive no royalties or continuing payments.

​While we’re here, let’s talk about copyrights. Your editor’s contract should spell this out. (Mine does.) You as the author maintain your copyright before, during, and after the entire editing process. The editor never obtains the copyright to your original work. However, most editors retain the copyrights to their work until paid. That means that if you fail to pay your editor, you will not be legally able to publish the edited version of your manuscript. (The original version is of course fair game.) If you choose to do so anyway, the editor can sue.

Understanding Editorial Rates

Editors may quote by the word, page, or project. Some editors work on an hourly basis. Personally, I find that difficult to manage and only quote hourly rates for book coaching, since that service needs to be more flexible.

​No matter how the fee is presented, it should align with industry standards. I break down some sources for rate standards in the US, Europe, and Canada in this blog post about vetting editors.

"But what about that cheap editor I found on Fiverr who’s going to edit my book for $150?"

No, just no.

That editor is almost certainly not a reputable professional. Trusting your work with someone like that can do more harm than good. Someone charging that sort of rate is editing for a few dollars per hour. Or they are spending only a few hours on your manuscript. Neither of those scenarios is good.

If you can’t afford comprehensive editing, my advice is always to save until you can or to consider less expensive options, like a manuscript critique.

And if you have any questions about how to tell whether an editor is reputable, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

​Happy writing!