Q&A: Finding an editor...

and not breaking the bank...

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

#3 question from Rosy Gee of Rosy’s Ramblings

I am so glad that you (plural) have posted questions. Please continue! I’ve been sent a couple more via email, too, so if that works for you: alison@alisonacheson.com.

Rosy’s question is: How can I find an editor for my 75,000 word m/s without breaking the bank? All the ones I have checked out are incredibly expensive.

I wrote a brief response to this, as I was unsure how quickly I’d be able to weigh in. A 75k manuscript is long. I’m not sure what you think is incredibly expensive--and all is so subjective and hangs on what one’s budget is. I end up charging anywhere from 1,000-1,400 to review/edit.

Do you have a writing group? A writing group is a serious time investment. But can be a solid piece to the re-writing and editing process.

Further thoughts

The nature of the editing here is key. Are you looking for substantive editing? Or “clean-up” copy-editing? Or editing that is working with the flow of language, or perhaps seeking out your own writing tics and dealing with… ?

Substantive editing

For this you are looking for someone knowledgeable and creative.