How much will it cost to have my book edited? What if I would like to add design services, graphics, and indexing?
As you might imagine, this varies tremendously, depending on the complexity and length of the book and the shape of the manuscript. I have done book projects ranging from $2,000 to nearly $40,000 that took anywhere from 9 weeks to 3 years. Most of my projects average about 12 to 18 months. I do charge industry-standard rates for my editing and design work. However, I understand that authors usually have very limited resources, so I discuss with them in great detail what their vision is for their book, as well as a realistic budget. Frequently they cannot afford everything on their wish list, so I ask them to prioritize, and we work out a plan that covers everything they will need for their book within their means. I work for either an hourly rate or a flat fee (which is based on an estimated number of hours it will take to do the project). In some instances, especially in emergency rush-production situations, I have also worked on a retainer basis.
