This section is
provided to give general guidance for estimating how your project
might be structured and what it might cost. Your project could be
done more or less quickly, depending on the level of information and
the experience of the editor or writer.
Writing/Rewriting
Writing is producing an original document from notes, outline,
research, interviews, conferences, experience, or general guidelines.
Rewriting means any or all of the following: adding original material
to a draft, deleting material, reorganizing material, collaborating
with other editors, producing a new draft.
Estimated pace of work: 1-3 manuscript pages per hour.
Fees: $70 to $100 per hour
Project
Management
A project manager oversees the execution of entire project
or publication, including hiring members of the production team, assigning
tasks, organizing and scheduling the writing and production process,
and attending to all administrative details.
Fees: $80 to $100 per hour
Developmental
Editing
Developmental editing entails consultation with the author
before writing begins. The editor advises on organization, approach,
and style. This work may include suggestions for research, identification
of useful resources, and work with the author on outlines and plans
for writing.
Estimated pace of work: 1-5 pages per hour
Fees: $60 to $90 per hour
Substantive
Editing
Also called content editing, substantive editing means making sure
that a document is well organized and clearly written. Working with
the author, the editor helps make the manuscript more useful and appealing
for the reader. Logical flaws or unsupported statements will be identified,
and the editor may also suggest organizational changes or shifts in
emphasis. This level of editing helps the author transform a manuscript
into the most effective document possible. (A substantive editor will
often do copy-editing as well.)
Estimated pace of work: 1-5 pages per hour
Fees: $60 to $90 per hour
Researching
Researching means gathering and verifying information to
develop all or part of a publication.
Fees: $70 to $100 per hour
Abstracting
Abstracting is writing a succinct summary or synopsis of
a work, often for an academic publication or professional journal.
The length, style, and amount of detail in an abstract vary depending
on its intended use.
Estimated pace of work: Highly variable, depending in part
on length and complexity of original material.
Fees: $70 to $100 per hour
Copy-editing
Copy-editing is reviewing a document to ensure that it
is free of errors, it adheres to a style guideline, references in
the text are correctly cited in the bibliography, and Tables and Figures
are correctly numbered. In short, copy-editing prepares a document
for formatting and printing.
Estimated pace of work: 3 to 8 manuscript pages per hour
Fees: $50 to $75 per hour
Proofreading
Proofreading means a final, careful check on a document.
It may include comparing the document with earlier versions to make
sure certain corrections have been made, and it always involves finding
spelling, grammar and formatting errors.
Estimated pace of work: 3 to 10 manuscript pages per hour
Fees: $50 to $75 per hour
Rush Projects
For rush projects—projects with turnaround times of less than 72 hours or projects that a client requests be completed within a shorter period than originally negotiated or requests that the freelancer spend more time within a negotiated period—the writer/editor may charge additional rush fees of 20 to 50 percent.
