Policies and Procedures

Setting healthy boundaries make both of us feel safe! 
  1. All communication must be via email messaging and/or scheduled phone calls (no texting and no unscheduled phone calls). 
  2. I require a nonrefundable retainer, typically 20%, when we agree to work together. When I accept a project, I am often saying "no" to a different one.
  3. While I love to share the enthusiasm, and often do, I am not required to promote your book on my social media, nor am I required to be social media “friends” etc. with any author.
  4. Unless specified prior to beginning editing, I will edit using Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, which is the industry standard for publishing.
  5. I guarantee response to messages within 48 hours apart from weekends or notice is given prior to an absence on my part. 
  6. You must ask for permission to credit me as an editor in your book. Additionally, please tell me if you do not want me to credit your book in my portfolio. 
  7. I do not return chapter-by-chapter edits to authors for editorial assessments or developmental editing (i.e., edits are returned in full-book form). I rarely offer chapter-by-chapter line or copy edits.​​
  8. Significant changes to form of editing needed, style of edits needed, accelerated deadline, or any other midway changes to services may incur additional fees, and I am not required to amend the contract if the significant changes are not possible due to time, budget, or skillset. Basically, no scope-creeping!
  9. If something happens, we can part ways in the middle of the project. However, the minimum cancellation fee is the 20% nonrefundable retainer paid at the beginning. Depending on where we were in the editing process, the percentage of the total may be more. 
  10. Edits are delivered via Microsoft Word in tracked changes. 
  11. If I do not hear from the author within 60 days after reaching out via email, our contract is dissolved, and the full bill of services completed will be charged.
  12. I am happy to and encourage signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). I have a complimentary one on file written by a lawyer, but can sign yours.

Disclaimers

  1. I have diagnosed narcolepsy and chronic migraines, which means I often work at strange times or in bursts based on how I’m feeling. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder in which I fall asleep unpredictably and require much more sleep per day than the average person to function. The medication is great, but it's not a cure. I'm still figuring out my work routine, and I ask for grace. Accepting this agreement means your deadline has flexibility (up to three days), or that you built in flexibility when you set the deadline.
  2. I have a track record of great accuracy and knowledge of the mechanics of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style (in addition to content). Though every editor wishes he or she was perfect at catching errors, though, we are humans too. It is not uncommon to find a handful of spelling, grammar, punctuation, or style errors in a lengthy manuscript, and it does not warrant an additional read. I will consider an additional read free of charge on a case-by-case basis, but do not guarantee that.
Copyright © 2024 Abigail McLaughlin
​Abbey McLaughlin Editorial Services