I often blog about practical ways indie authors can save money throughout the publishing process — especially through effective self-editing strategies. In this article, however, I want to focus on a specific (and often overlooked) opportunity for cost savings: how you submit your manuscript to a prospective editor. Small choices at the inquiry stage — including clarity, formatting, and preparation — can directly influence how an editor assesses the scope of work and, ultimately, how they price the project.

First impressions matter more than many writers realize.

​A clear, concise inquiry paired with a professionally formatted sample signals that you respect the editor’s time and understand industry norms. When sending sample pages, aim for standard academic formatting:
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• 12-point font (Times New Roman is the most widely accepted)
• Double-spaced lines (with no extra space between paragraphs)
• One-inch margins on all sides
• A .doc or .docx file created in Microsoft Word
• Or a Google Docs link that can be easily converted to Word

If an editor asks to see the full manuscript — and especially if you decide to move forward — send the entire book as one complete file, formatted consistently as outlined above. Submitting files in unconventional formats or inconsistent styles can unintentionally suggest that the project will require extra cleanup time, which may factor into pricing from the outset.

Editing rates are typically determined by two key variables: the type of editing required (developmental, line, copyediting, etc.) and the density of issues throughout the manuscript. Together, these factors determine how many hours the editor must realistically dedicate to the project.

What surprises many writers is that a manuscript requiring significantly more work does not always translate into higher income for the editor. From a business perspective, editors can often earn more by completing multiple well-prepared manuscripts efficiently than by taking on fewer, heavily labor-intensive projects. Speaking only for myself, I actively look for strong drafts I’ll enjoy refining — projects that are already thoughtfully revised and can be polished thoroughly within a reasonable timeframe and budget.

So how do you ensure your manuscript needs as little editing as possible before submission?
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• Read your completed draft multiple times, including at least one pass out of order (from the final chapter backward or in randomized sections).
• Step away from the manuscript for a few days — or weeks — before your final review.
• Read the text aloud, or use Word’s “Read Aloud” feature to catch rhythm issues and missing words.
• Switch formats: if you draft digitally, print the manuscript and mark it by hand (or vice versa).
• Identify your personal “problem patterns” and search for them using Word’s Find function.
• Use beta readers — three to five thoughtful readers is usually the sweet spot.

At this point, some writers might be thinking, but if I do all of this, why would I still need an editor? Because familiarity is a double-edged sword: you know what the text is supposed to say, which makes it remarkably easy to overlook what’s actually on the page. Editors bring trained, objective eyes — and a deep working knowledge of grammar, punctuation, structure, and reader expectations that many writers were never formally taught. That’s why every best-selling author works with at least one editor, and often an entire editorial team.
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Doing your due diligence doesn’t replace an editor — it makes the collaboration more efficient, more enjoyable, and more affordable for everyone involved.

Happy Writing!

✒ Delve in deeper in my articles on How to Self-Edit Your Novel & Editing Like the Big Leagues: How Indie Authors Can Mimic a Traditional Publishing Workflow