I had a question from a potential client yesterday about how I work with authors. He wanted to know if I would be available for consultation after I do the editing in order to discuss my edits. He wondered if this was included in the fee.
I explained first off that I charge by the hour. This includes editing work, consultations, responding to questions and proofing the manuscript once the author has revised or corrected based on my editorial suggestions.
I do, however, provide a free sample edit (a page or 3) and free estimate.
Additionally, I said that while some clients have a few questions after I edit their manuscripts, generally they go through each edit and either accept it or not. As a matter of course, while I edit, I write my suggestions and, where appropriate, my reasoning. So typically, there is little to discuss. It’s a matter of the author either understanding and accepting or having some reason to discard my suggestion. I also told him that I will not defend or debate my work.
I said, “Certainly, if you have a question, I will do my best to respond. And email is absolutely the best way for me to do this since I will often need to go back to the manuscript to refresh my memory as to the phrase or storyline you are asking about. Once I’ve finished editing a manuscript, I go on to the next one and have pretty much put the one before it out of my mind. While I am close to the manuscript while I am working on it, I do not establish the sort of relationship with it that the author has, as you can imagine. I see several manuscripts each year.”
If you would like a free editorial estimate for your manuscript, contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about me and my work here: http://www.patriciafry.com