Editors' Association of Canada

Hire an editorFR

What will it cost?

Some freelance editors charge a flat project fee; many charge by the hour; and a few charge by the page, by the word or by the day.

Hourly rates vary widely according to factors such as

  • the type of editorial task
  • the experience level of the editor
  • the complexity of the project
  • the tightness of the deadline.

Using EAC recruitment tools

The Online Directory of Editors, the job board and the branch hotlines are provided as tools for putting clients and employers of editors in touch with EAC members. EAC makes no warranty as to the suitability of any individual member for any specific project or purpose. As in any dealing you might have with a potential employee or supplier, you should assess qualifications and experience before entering into an agreement.

DO YOU NEED freelance or salaried editorial assistance? Here are six easy steps to finding an editor for your project.

1. Decide what skills you need.

Editors can put many different skills to work on your text. Consult our Definitions of editorial skills to determine what kind of help you need. You can find even more detail on several core skills in our Professional Editorial Standards.

2. Establish the scope of your project, including the budget and schedule.

For a freelance or contract project, consult our Standard Freelance Editorial Agreement to see what kinds of things should be spelled out in advance.

3. Choose which EAC recruitment tool to use.

We have several ways to help you connect with our members.

  • Search our Online Directory of Editors. You'll find detailed listings of over 400 EAC members across the country and you can search by name, location or editorial specialty. This is a flexible tool for identifying freelancers with specific skills or knowledge.
  • Post a vacancy on our job board. Once approved, your notice will be posted to the members' area of our website, accessible to some 1,600 EAC members from coast to coast. This is an efficient way to promote your opportunity to both in-house and freelance editors.
  • Contact the job hotline for the branch nearest you. Most EAC branches offer this referral service to put clients in touch with members of that branch. This is a great way to find local freelancers who are currently available for work.

4. Establish a short-list.

Review the results of your search or posting and decide which editors most closely fit the bill.

5. Make contact.

Contact the editors on your shortlist. For a freelance project, you'll probably want to discuss the details of the project, check the editor's availability and request an estimate. An editor will often ask you to send a representative sample of the material so that he or she can prepare a realistic estimate.

6. Make your choice and finalize the arrangements.

For freelance projects, we encourage you to use our Standard Freelance Editorial Agreement to put the arrangements in writing.