I’ve seen a lot of confusion in regard to editorial rates, and I can understand why. As you’ll see a wide range, it can be difficult to discern what’s reasonable and if someone’s taking advantage.
If you’d like to get a sense of standard editorial rates, check out the per-word rates on the Editorial Freelancer’s Association, which includes rates for most editorial services (developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, formatting, and more).
As there’s no standard rate for poetry editing, I devise those rates based on the extent of what’s needed, as there are numerous other considerations in poetry, such as form and line breaks.
While the EFA chart will give you a sense of what to expect for median rates, some editors charge more or less. It’s generally agreed that these rates are on the low end.
I’d advise against booking the cheapest possible editor, as quality can be a concern. If their rates are suspiciously low, I’d ask to see their portfolio and for a sample edit as well.
If budget is a concern, it’s important to note that many editors offer payment plans and/or can offer discounts if they’re able. You can also opt for lower-cost services like a manuscript evaluation.
I’ll always recommend hiring an editor—even editors have editors—but if that’s not doable for you at this time, beta readers are a great option. Beta readers provide feedback from a general reader’s perspective on what works and what doesn’t, what confuses and excites them. Ideally, you’d hire editors and beta readers, but every writer’s journey is unique.
Let me know if you have any questions about editorial rates or otherwise, and I’ll be happy to help.
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