If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, by now you know that editors aren’t just for the end of projects.
A great editor can be your secret weapon at any stage of the writing game.
Whether it’s working out what you should write about…
Plotting the best version of your story outline…
Keeping you accountable to your writing goals…
Or giving feedback on your work—and guidance for where to go next…
…having an editor by your side is often the difference between wanting to write a book—and actually writing one!
Of course, you’ll want to pay your editor for all of his incredibly helpful help. But how you pay him is often up for discussion.

Specifically, should you pay your editor by the hour, or should you agree on a flat rate for the entire project?
Different editors have different preferences for sure. And you know me—I’m full of opinions! But I’ve also got two decades of editing under my belt, so I’m also full of informed advice.
Get my quick thoughts about whether to negotiate a flat fee or pay an hourly rate in the video below. I’m sharing:
- Which payment style I personally like the best—and why
- How “scope change” can impact what you’ll be spending
- Why content editing and technical editing may warrant different payment styles
Flat fee or hourly rate? It’s a simple question, yes, but it can make a big difference to both you and your editor. Get the info you need by watching this quick video now.

