Editors- expensive?!

[ReggieKrayDoYouKnowMyName]

Hi all

I’m new here. Have written a 90,000 word memoir and it was met with interest by Unbound but they thought it needed a more traditional publishing process.

Had interest from a couple of agents now, but wondering if I submitted too soon as one has come back to me saying I need an editor.

My first quote for an editor has come back at over £850 for a “shallow” edit. Is this normal? Seems like a fortune for what is being offered really.

I am new to all this so don’t know what’s normal and what’s not.

TIA for any advice.

I think you can pay less, but you often get what you pay for.

I think it depends on what exactly you're looking for though.

Editors are expensive I'm afraid. Can you edit it more yourself? Do a course or even buy a book?! Or is it just copy editing, which you could get a friend to do?

How do you mean "interest" from agents? Did they suggest a R and R? I'm a bit wary of an agent saying you need an editor... most agents will help you edit it anyway, in preparation for pitching to publishers, who then use their own editors to polish it up.

Positive feedback from any agent is good news though, so keep going!