Most of my clients are first-time writers who have no concept of what editing involves. They aren't sure what to expect, and they are surprised to learn how much it costs. Also, I find some authors think their words are golden and don't accept any criticism, no matter how gentle. So it's to my benefit to find that out and avoid working for those clients. I think the sample edit is more useful for me than for the clients–it's the way I determine if this person and the project are a good match for me.

Devon, I'm more inclined toward charging for the sample, too. I've been paid for samples and I think that shows I can trust the client's intentions.

I rarely do it anymore, but I worked successfully in the past.

You don't have a portfolio? Sit down and create one. Take the time to write samples in each type of writing you plan to pitch yourself. As you land gigs, you replace these with completed, contracted samples.

How is this different than project-specific free samples? You're working in genre, not to project specifics for someone who won't pay you, and you include the copyright on the sample.

I always give a free sample edit–usually about 5 pages of a book-length manuscript. I do this for several reasons similar to those Anne gave. 1) Usually I work with inexperienced writers, and the only way I can determine how much editing each manuscript requires is to actually edit a few pages and see how long it takes me. 2) I want to be sure I'm comfortable with the genre and content and writing style. I enjoy the luxury of working only on projects that I truly love, and the only way to know that is to try it out. 3) I want to make sure the author and I work well together. If the author isn't happy with my work or if she is difficult to work with, I don't want to take on the project.

So I use the sample edit to quote a price and to make sure the author and her work are a good match for me.

And yes, most of the clients I give samples to hire me to edit their manuscripts, even though my quote is usually considerably higher than any other quote they receive. Clients realize they are getting value for what they pay me, and the best way for them to understand this is to see that I get their vision and that their work sounds just like them–only better–after I have edited it.

Writing samples are different, though. I would not normally give writing samples because it's easy enough show competency and writing style through other pieces. For a book-length ghost-writing project, however, I would consider a sample so both the client and I feel comfortable that I would carry out their vision, so I could get a better feel for the time involved, and, again, so I could determine how comfortable we are with each other.

But, I do this to first of all time myself with their material, and second to show them what I'll do… it's part of determining if we can work together.

But no, no other samples.

Jake, do they get fries with that? LOL

I did it once too, Fiona. Early on, I gave them a sample, a "chapter" rewrite. Never heard from them again. That was my lightbulb moment.

Paula, sounds like you made the right choice given the circumstances. If it hadn't been a reputable company, I would have walked away myself, but nowadays I hope most reputable companies wouldn't ask.

Michelle, was payment for that sample ever part of the pre-hire discussions? Interested to know why they paid after the fact. Sounds like they're good people.

Another company asked for a sample and in my naivete, I provided it – not knowing really what they were looking for. I never heard a word back from them.

1) It was a reputable company I was already familiar with.

2) They asked all applicants to write a couple hundred words on one of a handful of topics.

3) I hadn't written reviews or a blog before, so I didn't have comparable examples.

I did hear back when they said I'd made it to the final cut, and then again when they announced the writer who got the gig. (Not me.)

That said, I don't normally provide free samples just because someone asks, but I really do like Nicky's approach.