Terms and Policies

Terms & Policies

Setting healthy boundaries make both of us feel safe!

All communication must be via email messaging and/or scheduled phone calls (no texting and no unscheduled phone calls). There is no set limit to the number of scheduled calls or time, but they are dependent on my availability, and I reserve the right to limit the number of scheduled calls and/or length of calls.
I require a nonrefundable retainer, typically 20%. When I accept a project, I am often saying "no" to a different one.
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.
Unless specified prior to beginning editing, I will edit using Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, which is the industry standard for publishing.
I guarantee response to messages within 24 hours apart from weekends or notice is given prior to an absence on my part.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Word count proven at the beginning of the partnership is the word count included in my quote. In developmental editing, if the word count after revisions is more than 10,000 words more than our original agreement, I charge the original rate for the words that exceeded 10,000. For example, we work on a 30,000-word book at $0.03 per word ($900). We do some editing, and when you hand it back for the post-revision read of developmental editing, there are 41,000 words. The additional 1,000 words are charged at $0.03 per word, and $30 would be added to the total. Your invoice would be $930.
Edits are delivered via Microsoft Word.
If I do not hear from the author within 60 days after reaching out via email, our contract is dissolved, and the full bill will be charged.
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

I have diagnosed narcolepsy and chronic migraines, which means I often work at strange times or in bursts based on how I’m feeling. I will, on very rare occasion, request an extra day or two past an agreed deadline due to illnesses out of my control. I am seeking specialist help and working on attaining a more consistent work schedule. Accepting this agreement means your deadline has flexibility, or that you built in flexibility when you set the deadline.
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.