Okay, let’s tackle this. So Edith has over 40 years of experience in publishing, which is a significant amount of time. Her role as Permissions Manager at Simon and Schuster suggests she has strong organizational and management skills. However, the rate for publishing professionals can vary widely depending on factors like location, industry, and specific skills. Since Edith is based in New York, a major publishing hub, her rate might be on the higher side. Considering her experience and senior role, I would estimate her hourly rate to be around $150, which is slightly below the average rate for experienced publishing professionals in the NYC area. However, this is just a rough estimate and may vary depending on the specific job requirements and industry demand.