As a professional editor, one of the questions that I often hear is Why is editing so expensive? Most writers are asking this from a place of respect and curiosity. It’s a valid question, after all. And it’s worth asking, especially when confronted with less-than-reputable editors who are charging rates significantly below industry standard.

So let’s break this down. Exactly why does editing cost so much, and how do editors set their rates?
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After deciding to pursue professional editing and choosing the perfect editor, you have a big decision to make. Which type or types of editing does your manuscript need?

It can be difficult to be objective about your own work's needs, so don't hesitate to reach out to your editor and ask for their opinion.

To help give you a starting place, I've broken down some common types of editing and the order you should pursue them. Note that terminology is not completely standardized across the industry, so always confirm the scope of work with your editor. The definitions below reflect those of the services available from Blue Pen.

​When proofreading, you can save yourself some time by using the find and replace feature to catch common formatting issues. Use the following checklist to ensure your work is as clean as possible.

For a formatting starting point, click here to grab your free Editing Kit, which includes a standard formatting template.

​At the time of this post’s writing, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of daily life, both personal and professional. People are scared, and many writers have put their dreams on the back burner.

​Although I fully understand that this exceptional situation means that many simply do not have the time or energy to focus on their writing careers, many other would-be published authors are not submitting because it’s not “the right time.”

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​Writers who aspire to traditional publication have multiple options, but the most time-tested—and the route that many writers take—is pursuing representation by a literary agent.

​If you’ve chosen this path, you are likely familiar with much of the internet’s advice on writing query letters. As a professional editor who specializes in queries, and a represented author, I’m here to offer you a bit more advice. But instead of talking about what to include in your query letter, this post will cover five common issues in queries.

Professional editing is crucial for self-publishing authors. But what type of editing do you need? How do you choose the perfect editor for your work? Let’s discuss the ins and outs of hiring a professional editor as an independent author.

Anyone who has been involved in publishing during the last decade is aware that self-publishing has entirely changed the landscape of the industry. But for writers who are learning how to publish a book for the first time, the self-publishing process can be more than a little overwhelming. In this guide, we're going to break down the benefits of self-publishing and the simple steps you can take to achieve your publishing goals.

​When we're discussing success on social media—specifically Twitter—the first question people ask is, "How many followers do you have?" And although having a ton of followers can make you feel successful and valued within your community, it is not an accurate measure of success on the platform. So what is?
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You may or may not have heard of decision fatigue, but you have no doubt felt it. Decision fatigue refers to the exhaustion we feel after making so many large and small decisions over the course of the day.

Those in positions which involve more decision-making are of course more prone to this phenomenon. A 2011 study found that judges were likely to deliver harsher rulings later in the day. 

​But decision fatigue impacts everyone. Think about how many decisions you make every day. What to wear, what to eat for breakfast, how you want your coffee, whether to stop for gas, how to greet your coworkers, which task to start first, what language to use in an email... The list goes on.
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The narrator is one of the least utilized storytelling tools. A strong, unique narrator can add another layer of depth to your story. Let's talk about types of narrators and how to craft yours.