First job for Penguin adapting Disney Pinocchio: zero $.

Second job for Penguin writing story outlines for licensed characters: zero $

Full time editing/writing job at publisher: $42K a year. I saved them $80K by bringing writing in-house. Asked for $3000 pay raise. Denied.

Four 112 activity books for kids (448 pages in total) $1680 per book.

Reader reports for publisher: zero $

Proof-read of 444 page book: $199.80
Proof-read of 534 page book: $240.30

Turned down $2000 advance & 10% royalty on non-fiction project using Aboriginal content (publisher wanted to not involve Aboriginal sources).

Script-edit of unproduced screenplay: zero $
Script-edit of unproduced screenplay: $100

Part-time editor at newspaper, 3 days a week: $980 per fortnight.

Full-time editor at educational publisher $50K (worked there two months then resigned)

Copywriter, two activity books, marketing material $45 per hour, 8 hour days, four weeks: $7200

Copywriter, part-time, 3 days a week: $1028 per fortnight.

Four activity magazines, 24 pages each: $800 per magazine.

Uncounted unpaid projects: newsletters, articles for friends, website copy, OH&S documents, letters, birthday invitations, letters to real estate agents ...

Writing is a low-paid occupation. Editing is low-paid also. Being an agent can get you some cash but usually only if you head out on your own.

There was not a single freelance payment that I haven't had to wait at least six weeks for. Once I waited six months and then they were shocked I refused to work for them on short notice because of their overdue invoice.

Cool side of things: I have a lot of books with my name on them. Sure, some are about Princesses ... :-)

Hi Mary -- Publishing companies have in-house editors who work with a writer after the book is signed up. The MS might be "perfect" enough to get you a contract but after that you'll find how much more perfect it can be.

Some people have mentioned this line-by-line editing service ... Is that different from editing? Editing covers everything in the book from large to small.

So ... all signed writers work with editors and those editors are employed by the publishers. Some places outsource to freelance editors but not many. It's inefficient, costly and in-house editors have necessary functions that a freelance editor can't fulfill (like being the book's champion!).

As for publishers being so busy that a MS has to be perfect or they'll turn it down ... nope. Publishing is a business that really pushes the maximum work for minimum staff model to the edge. If you work as an editor you have a full-time job and then more unpaid work after hours. Despite this, publishers still must find, cultivate, publish new work by new authors or they will die.

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I would never be an agent ... there is a kind of heartless emptiness about people who only pursue money. Some people become agents to represent good books but only the sharks have that lack of soul quality remain.