Overly-Confident Writer Is So Sure Her Book Is Going To Be A Best-Seller, Asks An Editor To Edit It For Free
Choosing beggars can be quite creative in their manipulative ways. Especially if they’re a writer.
This one self-published author got a hold of an editor’s contact info, so they went above and beyond trying to prove that their novel is so good, simply reading it is sufficient payment — it’s the next Twilight. You know, because that’s the standard all literature is to be judged against.
However, it’s funny they failed to realize that editors read between the lines, literally, for a living, so their nonsensical “arguments” won’t save them any money.
After the author texted everything they had to say (including the threats and insults), the editor shared their funny conversation on the subreddit r/ChoosingBeggars and it has become an instant classic. The bestseller already has over 32K upvotes!
Image credits: Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: MomofEmma
u/MomofEmma, the Redditor and editor you see in this conversation, stressed that editing books isn’t their day job. “I have another career, but I have a master’s in English so I occasionally get referred editing work by friends (resumes, dissertations, short pieces of fiction),” u/MomofEmma told Bored Panda, adding that they have 15 years of experience in this field.
“Typically, I quote a price for my work; I do my editing and I request pay before releasing the edits back. It’s rare for a writer to just ask for spelling and grammar. Usually, I also look at word choice, organization, and flow; check for plot holes; and fact check.”
Despite u/MomofEmma’s long career, this is the first time that money has become such a huge issue. “A lot of times, even when I offer to do a small job for free for a close friend, the person insists on paying me,” the Redditor said.
So far, they haven’t heard anything more from the writer — u/MomofEmma blocked them. “I did send the screenshots to my friend [who introduced us]. She was very apologetic. She told me the writer is a former student of hers, which confirms they are an adult because my friend teaches college. Apparently, she meant to send them my email address and accidentally linked my contact with my personal cell phone number. There are no hard feelings though. My friend is an awesome person,” the Redditor explained.
Whenever a story like this goes viral, I can’t help but wonder if choosing beggars even understand how absurd their demands are. And honestly, I don’t know which of the two is sadder.
People think this choosing beggar is out of their mind
My wife is an editor, and $300 is INCREDIBLY cheap for a book that length. For a deep edit, she charges at least $75 an hour.
I'm a writer and I saw $300 and immediately wondered who this is and how I can get in contact. That is seriously the least expensive editor I have encountered.
Load More Replies...Based on the grammar and mechanics of those texts, I wouldn't want to edit that book for a million dollars. It's not a casual conversation, it's a request to a professional for professional work and the texts should be written in a formal manner. I imagine the Twilight fanfiction is a mess.
After they said "Haters gonna hate", my price would've jumped a few hundred.
The editor didn't bother to replay and I think that's the proper response :)
Load More Replies...If she’s such a literary genius, then why is she self-publishing, and not sending her manuscripts to a real publisher? If your story has possibilities, they help you edit it and get it in shape to go to print. So yeah, not as good as she thinks she is, and terrified of the inevitable rejections—-plural—-that she doesn’t get when she pays for the publishing herself.
Are you sure? Because that author is swimming in money.
Load More Replies...xd I honestly had no idea publishers were this expensive. I've been writing books for a long time, and I'm pretty sure you can't be your own editor, but I'm 12 so it's not like I can afford one for my books, so I don't know what to do. I'm currently writing a sci-fi book (my first ever sci-fi book, also my first ever book about creatures other than animals. It takes place on a different planet, so it's not exactly about humans lol) so I'll definitely need an editor...
I get that. I’m twelve too, and I’m writing apocalyptic fiction on earth. I think it might be pretty good if I can just finish it. When you finish yours will you tell me where I can buy it? It sounds like something I would like to read.
Load More Replies..."Haters gonna hate" -- as a response to "I haven't read that it's not my taste"?!
I hate how self absorbed some people are with the mindset of "I can't afford that, so you should charge less". Why the hell should a stranger care what YOU can afford, why should ANY of their life decisions be based on your convenience? The world doesn't revolve around you, and you don't matter at all. Not even vaguely.
From my experience as an avid reader and Prime member, I quickly learned that any book with the subtitle similar to "A heart-stopping mystery with an incredible plot twist you won't be able to put down!" means Self Published and you won't get to the second page before the grammar and spelling sickens you. Guaranteed red flag.
As someone who is trying to find publisher I can honestly say being writer sucks big time! All publishers are overwhelmed with hundreds of manuscripts per day and most of them won't even consider you if you don't have an agent, they have lists of how you have to format your work, and a lot of them ask you to pay for publishing your own book. Also, they all want master pieces but your fee will be small or none unless you are already famous. I am now sure none of my novels will be published, ever. Having said that, I would still never ever try to take advantage of someone who is just trying to survive, same like me, from his own work. Editors, illustrators, designers, printing... those are people who need to have salary to survive. So, in the end, I guess I am just a bad writer.
If you are being asked to pay for your own book, stay far far away. No reputable publisher would ask money of you, they'll pay YOU an advance instead.
Load More Replies...300 beans; specifically magic beans, that's what she wanted paying in, duuuh!
I have a book I've written for 20 years and my sister in law was willing to edit it for this entire past year just because it gave her something to do while breastfeeding... I never expected her to do more than give me hints. I don't agree with her edits sometimes but we talk it out. Imagine if this person actually had to deal with a real editor who suggested changes!
If she's already self-published the book it's unlikely that any real publisher would be interested, even if it was professionally edited.
Sometimes I feel like these conversations are made up just to gain popularity on Reddit
Yes, I have difficulties believing some of the stories, too.
Load More Replies...My wife is an editor, and $300 is INCREDIBLY cheap for a book that length. For a deep edit, she charges at least $75 an hour.
I'm a writer and I saw $300 and immediately wondered who this is and how I can get in contact. That is seriously the least expensive editor I have encountered.
Load More Replies...Based on the grammar and mechanics of those texts, I wouldn't want to edit that book for a million dollars. It's not a casual conversation, it's a request to a professional for professional work and the texts should be written in a formal manner. I imagine the Twilight fanfiction is a mess.
After they said "Haters gonna hate", my price would've jumped a few hundred.
The editor didn't bother to replay and I think that's the proper response :)
Load More Replies...If she’s such a literary genius, then why is she self-publishing, and not sending her manuscripts to a real publisher? If your story has possibilities, they help you edit it and get it in shape to go to print. So yeah, not as good as she thinks she is, and terrified of the inevitable rejections—-plural—-that she doesn’t get when she pays for the publishing herself.
Are you sure? Because that author is swimming in money.
Load More Replies...xd I honestly had no idea publishers were this expensive. I've been writing books for a long time, and I'm pretty sure you can't be your own editor, but I'm 12 so it's not like I can afford one for my books, so I don't know what to do. I'm currently writing a sci-fi book (my first ever sci-fi book, also my first ever book about creatures other than animals. It takes place on a different planet, so it's not exactly about humans lol) so I'll definitely need an editor...
I get that. I’m twelve too, and I’m writing apocalyptic fiction on earth. I think it might be pretty good if I can just finish it. When you finish yours will you tell me where I can buy it? It sounds like something I would like to read.
Load More Replies..."Haters gonna hate" -- as a response to "I haven't read that it's not my taste"?!
I hate how self absorbed some people are with the mindset of "I can't afford that, so you should charge less". Why the hell should a stranger care what YOU can afford, why should ANY of their life decisions be based on your convenience? The world doesn't revolve around you, and you don't matter at all. Not even vaguely.
From my experience as an avid reader and Prime member, I quickly learned that any book with the subtitle similar to "A heart-stopping mystery with an incredible plot twist you won't be able to put down!" means Self Published and you won't get to the second page before the grammar and spelling sickens you. Guaranteed red flag.
As someone who is trying to find publisher I can honestly say being writer sucks big time! All publishers are overwhelmed with hundreds of manuscripts per day and most of them won't even consider you if you don't have an agent, they have lists of how you have to format your work, and a lot of them ask you to pay for publishing your own book. Also, they all want master pieces but your fee will be small or none unless you are already famous. I am now sure none of my novels will be published, ever. Having said that, I would still never ever try to take advantage of someone who is just trying to survive, same like me, from his own work. Editors, illustrators, designers, printing... those are people who need to have salary to survive. So, in the end, I guess I am just a bad writer.
If you are being asked to pay for your own book, stay far far away. No reputable publisher would ask money of you, they'll pay YOU an advance instead.
Load More Replies...300 beans; specifically magic beans, that's what she wanted paying in, duuuh!
I have a book I've written for 20 years and my sister in law was willing to edit it for this entire past year just because it gave her something to do while breastfeeding... I never expected her to do more than give me hints. I don't agree with her edits sometimes but we talk it out. Imagine if this person actually had to deal with a real editor who suggested changes!
If she's already self-published the book it's unlikely that any real publisher would be interested, even if it was professionally edited.
Sometimes I feel like these conversations are made up just to gain popularity on Reddit
Yes, I have difficulties believing some of the stories, too.
Load More Replies...
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