ADVICE: Freelance editorial
I know I’m bad with updating and then I get into a place where I do it too much, but! I just got offered my first freelance editing job. It is still peculiar (and somewhat exhilarating) to be able to call myself a writer or an editor in a legitimate fashion. The woman asked me what I would charge her to help her whip her novel into shape to submit to publishers (whoa, untangle that sentence if you can, editing=BDSM?) and for a moment I panicked. Nothing! I wanted to say. Not a dime! I can’t charge people for this! This is easy, this is not work, this is almost fun! This is like a game!
And then I realized that it’s okay to accept monetary compensation for something I do to earn my daily bread. I was indignant the other day when a friend texted me with a very suave “hey, wanna write me a press release?” and I did not respond. I don’t work for free here! What nerve! And yet when someone asks me what I charge for my services, I have a meltdown.
I still haven’t responded to the aspiring novelist, as I am waiting for an advice email from my former boss, Erin, on what to do/what to charge. Also, Unsustainable, if you have any advice, I would welcome it with open arms! And anyone else that has experience with these sorts of things, any input would be most welcome!
First off: Congratulations! It’s great to find work in a shitty economy that has devalued editorial support to the point where it’s seemingly considered an unnecessary expense. Seriously, congratulations.
So, yeah: Because editing/copyediting/proofreading skills are apparently considered optional, the question of how to bill for it is really, really complicated. I’m usually so happy that someone (anyone) needs my services that I’ll essentially take anything they’re willing to pay. I call this “rates negotiable” and commonly infer that I’m “willing to work within their budget.” This is a drag for a zillion reasons, and I’ve shot myself in the foot dozens of times by underbilling. Unfortunately, it’s sort of necessary at the moment.
There’s a lot more to say, but I will provide a courtesy cut to appease the uninterested. See? »
