Yes, yes we are.
Back in the “good old days” (though I’m not entirely convinced they were “good,” they are certainly “old”) the author was on the lowest rung on the ladder. I’m sure, at times, it must have felt like coming to the editor, hat-in-hand, hoping against hope to get published.
With the advent of indie publishing, the polarity has reversed and now the author is the one in charge, though at times, I’m sure it still feels very hat-in-hand. Being the one in charge can be very daunting, especially for new authors. A lot of them don’t feel qualified to pick an editor. They aren’t even sure what they should or shouldn’t be looking for. Whether or not the editor supports the Oxford comma should be pretty far down the list.
An editor should have empathy for the writer, who’s coming to them with a manuscript that they’ve worked on for many months or even years. It’s not an easy thing to turn it over to someone else. At the same time, an editor shouldn’t pull their punches. They do you no favors if they pat you on the head and tell you how great your writing is.
The goal should always be a clear, honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your story in whatever aspect of editing you’ve requested – developmental, copy edit, or line edit – with an eye toward making your story the best it can be.
While you are coming to an editor for expert advice, it’s important for you to remember that, in the end, it’s your book. No one knows your story better than you. If something an editor is recommending doesn’t sit well, ask for an explanation. If it still doesn’t resonate with you, don’t make the change.
Now, there is the other side of that coin, though. The editor-author relationship is both professional and reciprocal. The author needs to treat the editor with a similar amount of respect and empathy. Remember, this is how we pay our bills, our mortgages, and buy our groceries.
One author told me he would edit the book and he just needed me to “check it over.” When I quoted him the commensurate fee for “checking it over,” he explained that since he was doing the editing, he didn’t feel I deserved payment.
Another author explained that he had limited funds and he expected me to adjust my fees accordingly. Ever walk into a store and explain that you’ve only got $100, you’d like to buy that $500 item and you expect them to lower the price so you can get it? Does that sound as ludicrous to you as it does to me?
I presume from the outset that since you’re inquiring of a professional editor that you want a professional job with professional results. You should understand then, that professional results come with professional fees.
All that being said, I’m also happy to accommodate. If you have a 100K word manuscript and I’ve quoted you $0.02/word, your total bill will be $2000. I usually take 50% down and the other 50% on completion. If $1000 is too big a lump sum for you, just let me know. We can always work out a payment schedule.
Email me to request a quote and include the full word length and the first two or three chapters of your completed manuscript.
Mark.