An author enquires about your editing services, then replies that it’s too much money. What do you do?
How wealthy someone is shouldn’t be a barrier to publication (and it doesn’t have to be, with the ability to self-publish and all the free information out there on how to do so), but there’s no denying that a good editor can help elevate a manuscript.
But it’s also true that the cost of editing is simply impossible for some. Here’s my advice on what to do.
Highlight the value of your edit.
Editing can be a lot of money. (Here’s why.) Maybe the author didn’t expect to spend that amount. If so, highlight the value they’ll get from editing. Let them mull it over with all the information, but never be pushy and always accept their decision.
Suggest writing groups and beta readers.
Perhaps the author can’t afford a professional developmental edit but they have enough in their budget for copy-editing and/or proofreading. To get some big-picture feedback, you could suggest the author sends their book to beta readers. (See: What are Beta Readers?)
A beta reader might not have the same level of knowledge as a professional developmental editor, but it’s always valuable to have several pairs of critical eyes assess a manuscript.
Quid pro quo.
Not everyone will be open to this arrangement, but if an author has a highly specialised skill that could be helpful to you (such as website building or professional headshot photography), you might feel happy to make a trade! Just make sure you both feel you’re getting a fair exchange of value – and be warned, this can be a little tricky.
Adjust the scope of your service.
If an author isn’t able to afford to have their whole manuscript edited, offer to edit a smaller section instead. For example, perhaps you could edit 10,000 words and provide extensive notes on what you’ve done and why so the author can better self-edit the rest of their novel.
Remember, you don’t know the author’s situation. Don’t feel guilted into offering prices that aren’t sustainable. Focus on trying to offer a balanced exchange of value, but at the end of the day if an author doesn’t value your services, you can’t always change that – it’s better to focus on the next potential client!
Saying that, do you feel confident that your brand and website are portraying your value …?
