You might want to ask bonny about rates -- this seems like a combo of coaching/research assistance/editing.

I'd write up a contract, set fees and set clear parameters. I can send you my resume and writing/editing contracts to use as a template.

I'd suggest at least $40 an hour. You can track time using Toggl.com (free) or you can suggest a project fee for a set number of hours, with extra added if you go over the project hours set.

I don't think you're crazy, but I would set very clear parameters for the job, or else you get stuck with doing a shitton of work for her, and get paid for very little of it.

My rule of thumb for freelancing in general is figure out the hourly rate if it were a salaried position (~2000 hours in a work-year), and then double it. So basically the "thousands" in a salary would be the hourly rate. If it seems like a $50K/year job, charge $50/hour.

Hmm, she's used to academia. I suspect she would plotz at $50 an hour; I was thinking asking $25 was on the risky side. Amych or anyone used to dealing with academics want to chime in?

Well, let her plotz, then. Ask for 30, be willing to negotiate. Academics are used to un/low paid grad assistants :) I think that ours got $13 an hour or something ridiculous like that.

I think you're right about the plotzing, given that research assistants in her world = grad students, not $50K. I'd ask for 30-35, present it as a specifically defined package of professional-quality librarian-type services rather than some girl-friday thing, and still expect some pushback.

flea, don't forget to include taxes in your calculations.

Yeah, I think I got paid $15/hour as a grad student. But like dcp says, if you're going to be responsible for all the taxes, bump up the number for that, at least.

I wonder if I could charge my kids $50 an hour for supervising 3rd grade homework and making my son eat dinner. It is much more onerous than teaching even a temperamental adult Zotero, I tell you what. Plus, no payment into Social Security.

Totally off topic, but interesting to me: We had media escorts at every stop on the book tour. Different ones in each city, and people who had been in the business, almost entirely with authors, for years. Picking up and taking to the airports, taking to hotels and events, providing any on the ground help in that particular cit.

I had no idea this even existed! In smaller markets, I bet it might be hard to make a full-time living, but around any major city, it's a really interesting thought for a freelance career. If you have publicity experience, good people skills, and a reliable car, you could do it.

Just ... putting that out there! I had no idea they existed, like I said, and it fascinated me.

OK, two separate questions:

1) How long do I need to keep bills for? My current method of filing bills (credit card, utility, etc) after payment is...tossing them in a big milk crate. I'd like to organize them more than that, but do I keep them for a year? Three years? Seven? Does it change if I'm using the utility bills as part of my home-office deduction?

2) I know we must, but...who here does website design? I am completely fed up with the person supposedly working on my drag organization's website (impossible to get a hold of, hasn't made any changes (like taking down my LEGAL NAME) after multiple requests, etc). And would be willing to pay out of my pocket for a better website. Who here could I hire?