There are a variety of editors such as content and line editing, copy editors, beta reading and more.

I’m a developmental editor. That involves going over a book’s content and structure which can include loopholes, transitional issues, inconsistencies to name a few.

After I became published I started to offer services to fellow writers in my area for free. For four years I nagged the heck out of them. Not one bite. Finally I stopped asking. Offering what I was offering was not only free but a lot of time I would free up for them. I got tired of writers giving me the look. I decided to than charge. I mean after all, why not?

Of course after I assigned a price for my various services is when people remembered my offer and came a knocking. They were surprised that I charged now. But I didn’t back down. At that time I had two or three books under my belt and life was getting busy with my business.

Time was valuable for all of us.

My prices are bottom of the barrel and in some cases clearance sale prices. Still, the writers thought I was too much. I told them to check online to see if they could do better.

Plus, I showed them where the testimonies from previous clients were. How they were happy with how I helped them. People tried to haggle with me. I didn’t bite.

Being a developmental editor takes a lot of time, especially when a person’s novel is 200-300 pages if not more. I am going line by line of your novel

You don’t think that is time I should be compensated for? If you were me would you do this for free like I offered in the beginning?

Not sure what is worse. You have people wanting you to do this for free. Or writers who know what it takes to do what you are doing and still want that for free or as low as possible.

Charge what you are worth even when people in your own field don’t appreciate it.

Don’t back down. Your time is valuable. And if nothing else that is time taken away from your brand and your books. Is that worth it?