Notes on negotiating rates for
Print media / Editing/producing books

These are some things to remember when negotiating rates for book editing and production work. And please send us your accounts of successful negotiations.

• Abstracts, blurbs and indexes are copyright works. The editor/indexer and the publisher should agree on how many editions, distributed how widely, are covered by a contract; extra licensed uses should attract an extra fee.
• The rates are suggested as minima from which freelances will negotiate upward according to their experience and specialist knowledge and the value of the work.
• When negotiating over editing of a book, particularly when the editor is working from home, it is essential to be clear at the start on the timetable and how the invariable alterations to it will be communicated.
• The rates for shifts do not include paid time off.
• Freelances who are registered for VAT will add it to every invoice.

We especially welcome information on usual practice for extra licences for use of indexes in further editions.