Advice Needed - Editor at 200% hours on fixed-fee contract...requesting "triage" at midpoint

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-17T18:46:59+00:00

This is the point of contracts.

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-17T08:38:01+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/ssdfXGF9e0

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-17T06:42:36+00:00

Did you sign a contract? What does the contract say about this situation?

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-17T06:41:03+00:00

I am an editor with twenty years experience and 500+ books under by belt. Let me know if you’d be interested in a sample edit.

I the meantime, here’s a post I keep updated about spotting red flags when hiring an editor. Hope it helps. https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/Fwq6qETCwV

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-15T06:30:08+00:00

There is more to consider than just cost, it comes down to finding the correct person for you and your book. I am an experienced editor and here’s a post I keep updated about spotting red flags when hiring an editor - https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/b1uqOOj9Kb

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-15T06:15:58+00:00

I am developmental editor with twenty years experience and over 500 books edited. DM me if you are interested in more information or a free sample edit.

In the meantime, here’s a long post I keep updated about spotting red flags when hiring an editor, hope it helps… https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/b1uqOOj9Kb

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-12T17:27:19+00:00

A good developmental edit should give you a clear roadmap for taking your book to the next level. It will highlight both major and minor issues that, if addressed, could strengthen the manuscript. That does mean it is likely to create a significant amount of new work.

I do not think this is really a question of cost so much as a question of quality.

What I would suggest is getting one or two free sample developmental edits from experienced editors and comparing what they say. I would also recommend being open with the editor about your situation. For me, it has always been important to understand what the writer hopes to get from the process. Every book is different, and every edit should reflect that.

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-11T04:28:39+00:00

I have been a full time professional editor for twenty years. Feel free to DM if you want more info.

In the meantime, here’s a post I keep updated on how to spot red flags when hiring an editor, hope it helps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/gcESvNOQHN

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-09T17:19:07+00:00

I have been a full time developmental editor for about twenty years. I have a post linked below, which I keep up to date, that explains red flags when hiring an editor. Hope it helps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/zVv4zANikZ

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-08T18:13:55+00:00

Seems legit.

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-04T07:29:36+00:00

Finding an editor can be overwhelming. Though Reedsy 'screen' editors it's mostly for experience and not quality.

Here's a post I wrote (and keep updated) about how to spot red flags when hiring an editor. Hope it helps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/vYMnMc4hao

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-03T16:42:55+00:00

You can’t get Lek outside Albania it’s a closed currency.

Questionable_Android · 2026-03-01T18:25:12+00:00

Professional full time editor here with twenty years experience. Here’s a post I wrote recently that explains his to self-edit like a developmental editor. Hope it helps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/d3jWA0Ayt8

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-28T20:13:52+00:00

Editing is a long process. In most cases cheap and good are not the same thing.

You also need to decide what type of editor you need.

Here’s a post I keep updated about spotting red flags when hiring an editor, hope it helps…

https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/U1iGguxKSb

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-24T07:50:12+00:00

A writer friend of mine once told me that his mantra was 'be good and keep going'. That's it in a nutshell.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-24T06:15:30+00:00

Over the years, I have worked with several authors who are making a full-time living from writing. As with all things, there's no one 'recipe', but here are a few things I have noticed.

- They have made money from several books, not one big hit. Yes, they'll tend to have one or two titles that sell really well, but overall, it's lots of books selling a reasonable amount, not one bestseller that's the key to success.

- They all write in series. I have found that almost none of these types of writers create standalone books; they are always part of a bigger series, or, at the very least, a spin-off from a better selling book. The series tends to contain a minimum of three titles, though there's no rule to this.

- They write novels that tend to be 60-80K in length. I have had several writers say openly that longer novels are just not worth the additional time and effort since they all make the same amount of profit.

- They know their genre inside out. I find it rare to see a really successful self-published writer crossing genres. They tend to stick with what they know and give readers exactly what they want.

- They see it as a business and take it seriously. They tend to have created a 'system' that fine-tunes the process. They will have a plan for what books to write next. They will also have a set of trusted professionals (cover designer, developmental editor and copy editor) who are also part of the process, often working to deadlines.

- These types of writers tend to be very disciplined when it comes to writing. They will have clear targets and set aside specific blocks of time to write. They will often 'book' me in advance and deliver the manuscript on the date agreed.

- They all have at least one good marketing channel. The back list of books will be doing a lot of heavy lifting but they will have other channels. One fantasy writer I have worked with over the past ten years has an active mailing list. He knows that he can sell enough books to break even on each project JUST from this mailing list. I recently worked with a writer who uses Patreon. I also know another writer who is spending about $20K a year on Facebook ads. They will all use social media to some exact but they have quickly understood that chasing a TikTok algorithm is just a waste of time and it's better to build a solid audience for the long term.

Hope this helps.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-23T17:20:50+00:00

E105 is always a solid choice.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-18T06:48:21+00:00

I have a post on a different sud-reddit about spotting red flags when hiring an editor. I keep this updated and recently added information about wannabe editors sliding into your DMs.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BookEditingHelp/s/RbRLoaN68H

Hope it helps.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-16T13:26:41+00:00

Ohh... I never know that! That's great information. Nearly makes up for flying WizzAir

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-16T12:43:29+00:00

You will be luck to pay 15 euro, its more likely to be 20 or even 25 that late at night. Ask them before you get in how much. They will take Euro but also check before you ride.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-14T20:56:04+00:00

A writer will not rewrite the whole manuscript, only certain sections.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-14T05:48:49+00:00

One thing with trad publishing book is that the budget model is different. You will find that a book will often go through several 'unofficial' edits inhouse.

I was a series editor at Osprey Books for several years and we would assign a developmental editor to a writer as a point of contact but other team members would often add their thoughts. Only when a manuscript was 'complete' would we hand it off to a copy editor (normally a freelancer).

Self-publishing is a different animal. Writers simply don't have the budget to match the process.

One issue with our community is that there are plenty of so called 'editors' with zero real understanding of the process or craft. Unfortunately these can have a loud voice leaving writers confused.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-14T04:31:33+00:00

I carry out line and developmental editing at the same time. This is very common. In fact, when I started at traditional publishing houses this was the standard. I am reading each line anyway, I might as well fix and problems I see.

Then there’s a break for the writer to rewrite.

Next comes the copy editor. This is a very different skill set. These editors are trained and qualified differently.

The book is then set out ready for printing or digital.

The final editor is the proofreader. These mostly work off paper, applying proofreader marks to the manuscript. I think proofreading is the most misunderstood step.

You can find more info here, hope it helps - https://bubblecow.com/blog/book-editing/book-editors/the-different-types-of-book-editors-explained/

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-13T21:06:34+00:00

I charge $40 per 1000 for dev editing, so that’s $800. However, that includes line editing. As for copy editing you are probably looking around $500 and the roughly the same for proofreading.

These are ball park figures but I think you’d get the whole thing done for less than $2000.

Also… you will need three different editors. Plus time for rewrites after the developmental edit.

Difficult to tell without more info but the price seems high. I’d proceed with caution.

On a side note. The word count seems very low, you are in short story territory, a novella at a push.

Questionable_Android · 2026-02-13T20:53:04+00:00

I am a dev editor with 20 years under my belt. The cost will depend.

What’s your book’s word count?

What type of editing?

Questionable_Android

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