Freelancing
The perils of freelancing Natalie Maddalena After the Society’s recent discussion about freelance editing, I thought this exchange was worth relating. This customer is in Europe, looking for someone to edit his novel. Imagine—all my emails are polite and professional; his are long and rambling. As we are in different time zones, there is one exchange every 24 hours. Him Can you please do a free sample edit of my great novel? Me
Sure. [Send back 3-page free sample with a quote $A for whole novel.]
Him Love your work, you are the front runner out of all the editors around the world I have sent this to. I need someone who will not be clumsy with my ‘light-paced narration’ and ‘mercury-quick, eloquent and spirited’ main character. Can I have another free sample from this chapter? Me
Glad you liked my work. No. Feel free to choose someone else.
Him I might just get you to do the first 4 chapters as that is what I will send to publishers. Me
Ok, that will be $B. And I can do a synopsis for an additional $C if you like.
Him Wonderful. My quirky writing style needs lots of care to keep its originality while improving my English. Him I just checked your website and you usually only charge $D? How come you are charging me $B? Me
Because you are ESL; it will take me a lot longer and be more difficult. But I will charge $E [between B and D]. If you decide to go with another editor, that is fine.
Him Ok, I have now narrowed it down to 2 editors; the others are out of the ring [extended boxing metaphor]. So you will charge me $E including the synopsis and give me a discount on the rest of the novel when I send it to you later because I improve quickly? And maybe the publisher can pay you out of my royalties when I get accepted. Oh, and what does POV mean? Me
[After 48 hour cooling down period] Reiterate last prices with no further discount, demand 50% in advance, the rest 14 days after completion. Explain POV.
Him I am trying to decide between 3 good editors. If I send you 5 chapters, can I have a discount? Me
No. [I withdraw from the ‘ring’.] Goodbye.
April–May report (continued) MOTION to change membership fees At our general meeting on 27 April 2011, we formally voted on the following motion: That annual membership fees for the Canberra Society of Editors be as follows: yy full members: $85 yy associate members: $70 yy students members: $30 yycorporate members: $225. These fees are to be effective immediately. The motion was nominally passed at the April general meeting, with only one vote against it. However, our constitution states that 20 full members must vote in person at a meeting, and any proxy votes are in addition to that. The constitution also requires us to present the matter again at our next general meeting. So stay tuned, and think of this as an added incentive to come along and enjoy a movie.
May 2011 The Canberra editor
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