Working with an Independent Editor Panel

How much does it cost to work with an indie editor?

Top editors doing developmental, structural, and line editing are charging in the neighborhood of $100/hour. Some more, some less. Some charge by the page or by the word or a pre-determined flat fee. It depends on what work is needed. Evaluations generally can cost around $2000.

Edits may work on 2-3 pages/hour or 10-12 pages/hour depending on the work needed. Why does it take so long?

POSTED BY ALICE POPE

Working with an Independent Editor Panel

The panel is going over several types of editorial involvement you can expect from an independent editors:

• Manuscript evaluation and critiques
• Development editing
• Author revisions
• Line editing
• General publishing guidance

They are offering samples of edited manuscripts they've worked on. (It's enlightening to see this glimpse into their editorial processes.)

What they don't do:

• Write your book for you
• Guarantee interest from an editor or agent
  

POSTED BY ALICE POPE

Working with an Independent Editor Panel

Linda Carbone is discussing nonfiction. She stresses that nonfiction authors should work on a proposal rather than a complete manuscript.

The important parts of a proposal she's going over:

• Introduction
• Overview
• Marketing and Promo opportunities
• About the Author
• Competing Books
• Table of Contents
• Chapter Summaries
• Complete Sample Chapter

Note: for more on proposals see WD title How to Write a Book Proposal by literary agent Michael Larsen.

POSTED BY ALICE POPE

Working with an Independent Editor Panel

Alice Rosengard is going over common problems with fiction manuscripts. They include point of view, sequence of events, theme.

Ruth Greenstein identifies a few more: mechanics and craft (writers need to revise and get feedback before they submit their work), character development, pacing and structure (she recommends using outlines), voice and style (which can be elusive and something that can be helped by an indie editor).

POSTED BY ALICE POPE

Working with an Independent Editor Panel

Three independent editors are here to discuss what an independent editor is and how to know whether you need one:

Linda Carbone is an indie editor specializing in nonfiction. She's a former development editor for Basic Books and had worked for HarperCollins, Workman and others. She specializes in health, psychology, memoir, self-help, and more. She's also has been an author herself.

Ruth Greenstein was a staff editor at Harcourt and Ecco and has worked with authors such as Alice Walker, Erica Jong and many others.

Alice Rosengard is a book doctor and indie editor with experience in trade publishing, including 19 years at Harper. She edits fiction and nonfiction.

All three editors have their own businesses and are members of an organization for independent editors. They are going over their extensive work history in the publishing industry. They've all got a great deal of experience working on everything from cookbooks to poetry to nonfiction.

The work with authors to identify and solve problems with manuscripts.

POSTED BY ALICE POPE