At the risk of re-hashing some of the same information from my earlier blogs, I thought it would be helpful to answer a few of the most common questions I get asked as a fiction book editor. Here’s a quick “FAQ” for your easy reference. If you find this list helpful or you have additional questions, leave a comment or send me an email. I’m always happy to help!

• How much will it cost to edit my book?

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There are a number of factors that affect the cost of a manuscript edit, including the length of the manuscript, the quality and style of writing, the formatting of the text, and the amount of structural (developmental) work that is needed. Standard industry rates range from $35 per hour to $100 per hour. Check out the pricing schedule put forth by the Editorial Freelancers Association, or visit the “Services” page of my website for more detailed information.

Always request a sample edit to ensure an accurate quote from your prospective editor.

• How long will it take to have my book edited?

Like cost, the length of time to complete a thorough edit may vary as well, and for many of the same reasons that cost varies – quality, length, etc. Efficient, deadline-driven editors may take one week to one month to edit your novel.

It’s important to start shopping for editors as early as possible, as sought-after fiction editors may be booked weeks or even months ahead of time. 

• Where can I find a fiction book editor?

There are countless ways to find a professional editor, from freelance websites like oDesk and Elance, to author recommendations, or even a quick Google search. Be sure to do your research and have more than one prospective editor lined up to “interview”. What are their qualifications? Do they have samples of their recent work? What about testimonials from their clients?

Ask every prospective editor about their work history, and what they can do for your manuscript.

• Do I have to accept changes from an editor?

It’s a good idea to take all edits and suggestions from your book editor very seriously before deciding to decline their edits, but in the end it’s up to you. Many editors use Tracking Changes in MS Word to keep track of edits, making it easy for you to see what they’ve changed and to decide which edits you’d like to accept or decline. There’s also an “Accept All” option.

A good book editor is a collaborative consultant, helping you transform your novel into something that’s ready for publication – always with your permission, of course.

• Can an editor ensure my book will be published?

Now more than ever, publishing companies want to keep their cost low. If your book is selected for publication, your publisher will put it through the editorial process before they put their name on it. If your manuscript needs substantial developmental edits, they may not be willing to take on the task – or foot the bill.

Submitting a professionally edited manuscript will set your book apart from the countless unedited, unsolicited manuscripts a publishing company receives, greatly increasing your chances of publication.

What other questions do you have? How can I help you? Leave me a comment or send an email to michelle@mjbookeditor.com. I’m happy to discuss your particular project in more detail with you. You can also view my previous blogs for other related information.

Happy writing!

-MJ

“Books aren’t written – they’re rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn’t quite done it.” | Michael Crichton

 

 

Actual prices for professional editing services found on the Internet and fair, industry-standard prices may vary wildly. If you’ve been shopping around for an editor lately, you might be feeling a little bit lost—and justifiably so. One editor may offer her services for just fifty bucks to edit your entire manuscript, while another editor’s prices could be as high as ten to twenty thousand dollars!

Okay, let’s take a step back from these seemingly nonsensical—and often arbitrary—numbers and break it down in simple terms. How much editing do you need, and what’s a fair price to pay for it? While there are dozens of editing methods and dozens more author requests, I’ll focus here on the three main objectives of a professional book editor.

Manuscript evaluation – an evaluation, or “critique”, of the entire manuscript. The editor’s objective is to thoroughly read through the story and offer specific feedback relating to the story’s content, flow, syntax, characters, and overall marketability. She may even offer ideas for improvement. The evaluation is often returned to the author in the form of a feedback letter with suggestions for moving forward.

Developmental editing – also called “content editing” or “heavy editing”, developmental editing focuses on things like structure, plot, and character development. You know the story you want to tell; a good developmental editor will show you how to tell it well. What developmental editing does not focus on is grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Copy editing – for the final edit, copy editors proofread the entire manuscript to correct grammar and spelling, check for factual consistency, and fix any formatting issues. Their attention is on the Five Cs: Is the manuscript clear, correct, concise, comprehensible, and consistent? In short, the copy edit is the final polish of your manuscript.

The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) is the undisputed leader in evaluating the market and determining fair, industry-standard prices for professional editing services. You can find the EFA’s estimated costs for a manuscript evaluation, developmental editing and copy editing, in the chart below. Note that 1 ms page is equal to 250 words.

(Click on the chart for a larger view.)

 
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Remember that prices may be lower or higher depending on the editor’s skill and experience.  Basic supply and demand may also affect the cost of professional editing services.

So what does this mean for you and your manuscript? I’d love to discuss the specific details with you, including the length of your manuscript, your publishing goals, and the level of editing your story requires. I’m always happy to offer a sample critique or edit of your manuscript as well, so we can “try” each other out and determine how to proceed.

Feel free to email me at michelle@mjbookeditor.com for any questions or further discussion.

Happy writing!

-MJ

“The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.” | John Steinbeck

Critiques are mostly honest (and typically free) overall impressions of a manuscript. The process of exchanging peer critiques has been instrumental to my growth as a writer, and many successful authors and editors would argue the same. But while the benefits of critiquing—and peer critiquing especially—are endless, they are not the end. If you think you don’t need an editor because you’ve already had your story critiqued, think again.

Here are some of the differences between a professional edit and a critique, and why your story needs both.

Critiques identify potential problems.
A professional editor fixes problems.

Before submitting a manuscript to a professional editor, many writers choose to have their story peer-critiqued (or beta-read) first. Betas are responsible for reading through sections of a manuscript or the entire work, and identifying potential problems. They offer reader reactions throughout, perhaps an overall evaluation at the end. They point out things that confuse them, or scenes they find unnecessary. They may suggest the author expand certain areas or add extra layers to a character or sub-plot.

An editor will also point out issues that may remain after the manuscript has been critiqued, but as a knowledgeable professional in her field, she has the insights and ability to help fix those problems. The author is not left with what to do, but suggestions of how to do it. Depending on the type of edit, the editor may even make the changes herself – with the author’s permission, of course.

Critiques address the big picture.
Editors see the whole and focus on the details.

As stated above, critiquers and beta readers aren’t typically looking at the details of a manuscript; their responsibility is to point out what works and what doesn’t, while giving an overall impression of the story. This kind of feedback is invaluable, but ensuring the happiness of your beta readers does not guarantee your novel’s marketability or likability with readers outside of your sphere.

Editors see the whole of the text, then key-in on the small details, checking their alignment with the novel as a whole, a single unit. After ensuring the novel is compelling and consistent and error-free, editors may then help with your synopsis, marketing, querying, and even publishing your manuscript.

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Critiquers are amateurs – mostly.
Editors are professionals – mostly.

Writers seeking feedback on their manuscript may turn to a number of people, typically other writers seeking feedback in return, friends and family who care about the writer’s project, or readers who just love to read. In most cases, these critiquers are amateurs. While they can certainly offer feedback based on their preferences, they probably don’t have enough exposure to the publishing industry to polish your manuscript as effectively as a professional.

Whether they work for a Big 5 publishing house or individual self-published authors, professional editors have their hands in the publishing industry on a daily basis. Each editor may work on four to six manuscripts in a month; they may be presented with a dozen more, and they see what sells and what doesn’t. They keep a pulse on the market, the trends, what readers are asking for, in order to better serve their clients. Professionals won’t tell you what they think; they’ll tell you what they know.

Finding the right individuals to critique and edit your manuscript can be a daunting task. What questions do you have about the process? Maybe you need help finding beta readers, or your manuscript is ready for a professional edit. Send an email to michelle@mjbookeditor.com, and I’ll be happy to help you.

Happy writing!

-MJ

“The most original of authors are not so because they advance what is new, but more because they know how to say something, as if it had never been said before.” | Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Next week’s blog: How much should you pay for a book editor?