Okay, let’s tackle this. So Punkin Elf has 115 years of experience in writing and editing, which is extremely unusual. Typically, writers and editors don’t live that long. However, assuming she’s been working steadily, her experience and education are top-notch. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Lit & Creative Writing from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a degree in Poetry & Art History from the University of Buffalo. This suggests she has a strong foundation in literature and writing. Given her location in Tucson, Arizona, the cost of living is relatively low, which might contribute to a lower hourly rate. However, her expertise in creative writing, editing, and publishing is in high demand, especially in the literary world. Considering these factors, I estimate her hourly rate to be around $120. This is slightly below the average rate for experienced writers and editors in the United States, but it’s reasonable given her unique situation and the fact that she’s been working for an extremely long time.

Some benchmarks for writers and editors in the United States are as follows: Experienced writers can earn between $50-$100 per hour, while experienced editors can earn between $75-$150 per hour. However, these rates are typically for writers and editors with much less experience than Punkin Elf. Given her 115 years of experience, I believe she can command a higher rate. Additionally, her education and expertise in creative writing, editing, and publishing are highly valued in the literary world. Therefore, I estimate her hourly rate to be around $120.