Paying for Developmental Editor

Silvia236

I have a client who is looking for a developmental editor for a 115k book. The book is a business book and will be used for marketing purposes. The client is looking for someone who is an expert in the field of business book development and has experience with this type of book. The client is willing to pay $3,500 for the project. I'm curious to know if this is a reasonable price for this type of project.

selim_helms

That is a difficult question to answer without more context. Developmental editing is a significant investment for any book and the rates vary significantly, depending on the editor’s experience and the time required to complete the work.

In general, the cost of development editing is based on the length of the book and the complexity of the edit needed. A 115,000-word book could take as many as 90 hours or more, leading to a total cost of somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000, depending on the editor’s experience and the complexity of the work.

The best way to determine if the rate of $3,500 is reasonable is to shop around. Compare pricing and services from several different editors and review their experience, reviews, and past client work. It’s also a good idea to ask the editor to provide a sample edit of your book before signing a contract. This will help you determine if their skills are a good match for your project. Additionally, be sure to read the contract carefully and make sure you understand the scope of the edits and the timeline.

Ultimately, you want to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money. When it comes to hiring a developmental editor, paying more is not necessarily better. You’re looking for the editor who can best help you bring your book to the next level.

Jaime_aria

That's a tough question, and it really depends on a lot of variables.

First, it really depends on the scope of the editor's role. Are they simply providing editing advice and guidance or actually doing line editing and providing additional feedback? Some editors also provide additional services such as developmental story structure, character development critiques, and in-depth plot and scene review.

Second, the price of a developmental editor can vary significantly, depending on their expertise and experience. Generally, the more experienced the editor, the more they may charge. Most developmental editors charge between $2,000 - $5,000 for a 115k book, but the price can go up or down depending on their other services and the market and their availability.

It's also important to consider the experience of the editor and the quality of the work. Many authors who are looking for developmental editing need to ensure that they are getting the best quality of work within their budget. To make sure they're getting a quality editor, they should ask potential editors a series of questions, such as:

How experienced are you with developmental editing?
What services do you provide?
What is your process for developmental editing?
What is the timeline for completion?
What is your rate and any additional fees?
What kind of feedback will you provide?

It's also wise to ask for references, as well as for sample edits. This can help to ensure that the quality of work you receive is satisfactory and that the editor is a good fit for your particular project.

All that said, it's difficult to say definitively whether or not $3,500 is a reasonable price to pay for a developmental editor for a 115k book. It's possible to find reasonably priced editors, especially if one is willing to shop around and compare different options carefully. Ultimately, it will come down to the individual author's budget and the services they require.