avatarRoz Warren, Writing Coach

Summary

Rosalind Warren, a professional writer and editor, emphasizes the value of her editing services, which she offers at a standard rate of $60/hour without discounts, and cautions clients against expecting free advice during paid sessions.

Abstract

Rosalind Warren is a writer, editor, and writing coach who values her expertise and time. She occasionally provides free editing services for family, friends, and deserving writers on Facebook, but she maintains a clear boundary between her professional services and pro bono work. Warren charges $60/hour for her editing services and does not offer discounts. She encourages clients to use their paid time effectively rather than discussing their financial constraints. While she cannot guarantee that clients will recoup their investment through the publication of their work, she has seen clients improve their writing and achieve financial success. Warren suggests that those who cannot afford her services explore alternative options, and she remains committed to helping writers enhance their skills and publish their work.

Opinions

  • Warren enjoys her job and is skilled at it, but she does not give her services away for free.
  • She is willing to work pro bono under specific circumstances, such as when she feels generous and doesn't have a paying client scheduled.
  • Warren expects clients to respect her time and the billing process, especially when they express financial limitations during paid sessions.
  • She believes in the value of her services and their potential to improve a writer's craft, even if immediate financial returns are not guaranteed.
  • Warren acknowledges that some individuals genuinely cannot afford editing services and points them toward other resources.
  • She is proud of her clients' achievements, including those who have earned more from their published work after working with her and those who have secured significant book deals.

ASK AN EDITOR

I Will Not Edit Your Work for Free

I Love My Job. And I’m Good at It. But I’m Not Giving It Away

Photo by Jason Cooper on Unsplash

I’m a writer but I’m also an editor and writing coach.

Sometimes I work for free, for family and close friends. The “payment” for that work is emotional rather than financial.

I will also — occasionally — work pro bono with a writer who turns up on one of the writing-related Facebook pages I belong to, asking for help with an essay. If I’m feeling generous. And if I don’t happen to have a paying client scheduled that day.

That being said, when I do charge, I charge $60/hour — and I never give discounts. Even so, I’ve worked with several writers who feel the need to let me know, often, how broke they are.

“If only I could afford it, I’d work with you on everything I write!” they’ll tell me.

After one fellow spent a lot of time during one of our editing sessions playing this particular tune I pointed out, “You know, I’m happy to listen to you talk about how broke you are — but you realize that you’re on the clock, right? You’re paying me a dollar a minute to listen to you kvetch about the fact that you can’t afford to pay me a dollar a minute.”

Can I at least promise that when you publish your prose, you’ll be able to earn back the money you’ve spent working with me on it? To be honest? Probably not.

Although one writer I worked with ran the numbers and reported that she spent $4,357 working with me on 100 stories, and earned back $5,283.

And her writing has improved so much that I’m confident she’ll be able to sell the novel she’s currently writing — after a line edit, of course — to a good publisher.

And? I do have a client who just signed a six figure book deal.

But far more often, if you work with me, you’ll become a better writer but not a wealthier writer. At least not in the short run.

Some folks just haven’t got the money to pay an editor. Luckily, there are alternatives.

But if you are going to spend your hard-earned money on working with me? Don’t waste my time and your money griping about the fact that you can’t afford me. Because if you’re angling for a freebie? It’s not going to happen. As long as you pay your bills on time, I’m happy to listen to anything you have to tell me, but I can think of a much better use of that money and time — working together to make your writing better.

Writing Coach and editor-for-hire Roz Warren, who writes for everyone from the Funny Times to the New York Times, can help you improve and publish your work. Drop her a line at [email protected]. (That’s Ros with an “s,” not a “z.”)

Editing
Writing
Writing Advice
Writing Coach
Money
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