Thank you for
considering my editing and publishing assistance services.
These terms and conditions are designed to ensure a clear
understanding of the working process, protect both parties and
help the project run smoothly. By proceeding with a booking,
you agree to the following terms.
1. Service
procedure / Onboarding
▪ First-time
clients, and returning clients whose writing quality may have
changed, will be requested to provide an excerpt from the
manuscript to be edited, and will receive a sample edit
together with a cost estimate for the project.
▪ The
cost estimate is based on the number of corrections and
comments required per 1000 words. Some services are based on
an hourly rate instead, in which case a time estimate may be
given.
▪ The scope of
the project is to be discussed and agreed upon in writing via
email.
▪ The client may
specify certain types of issues to be excluded from the scope,
after seeing them in the sample edit. This may reduce the cost
estimate, but does not remove the necessity for the issues to
be handled.
▪ Upon the
client’s acceptance of the estimated total project cost, a
deposit of 50% of this amount is required to lock in the next
available slot in the editor’s calendar. While there is no
strict due date for this payment, a later payment may result
in a later calendar slot and later completion.
▪ By
special request it may be possible to pay 25% deposit;
however, in this case the editor will initially complete and
return 25% of the project. Further payment will then be
required before the editor continues work.
▪ Note
that returning clients may be exempt from paying a deposit.
You will be informed if this is the case.
▪ If the client
needs to reschedule or change their agreed delivery date, at
least two weeks’ written notice is required.
▪ The editor
will provide an estimated timeframe for completion of the
project. If this timeframe changes, for example, due to more
fixing than estimated, editor illness or acts of God etc, the
editor will inform the client immediately. Delays caused by
the client’s late delivery of the document may also alter the
timeframe.
▪ Upon
completion of the project, any remaining cost becomes due and
this will be notified via email.
2. Adjustment
of project cost
▪ If the editor,
during editing, determines that the average number of
corrections and comments required per 1000 words is lower than
the estimate, the remaining payment amount due upon completion
will be adjusted downwards to an appropriate level.
▪ If this
average is determined to be higher than the estimate, the
editor will stop work and consult with the client. Options
include: a) an increase in total project cost, only with the
client’s consent; b) the editor will calculate how much of the
manuscript can be edited for the original total estimated
cost, and stop after that wordcount; or c) the client may
elect to choose certain types of corrections to carry out in a
self-edit either before or after the editor completes the
project. If after, the editor will ignore certain selected
issues in order to reduce the scope of the edit and keep the
cost the same as the estimate. However, the client accepts
that the selected issues still need to be dealt with before
the manuscript is ready.
3. Payment
and invoicing
▪ Payment is to
be made via Wise.com or by direct transfer into a bank account
nearest to you (USA, UK, Europe, and NZ available)
▪ Payment may be
requested in a specific currency relevant to the payment
account used. For international clients, please do not
pre-convert the payment to NZ Dollars unless requested.
▪ A formal
invoice is available on request. If not requested, the amount
stated in the cover email returning the edited manuscript
shall be the notice of payment due.
▪ The deposit is
non-refundable unless the client provides a minimum of two
weeks’ written notice of postponement or cancellation.
▪ Payment is
usually due immediately in all cases, unless
otherwise agreed in writing. After 14 days, follow-up
procedures may be initiated.
▪ Work requested
on a rush basis (e.g. requiring delivery in less than the
standard lead time, which will vary depending on the project
wordcount and editing level) may incur a rush fee of 50% of
the total project fee, subject to availability.
▪ Rush jobs must
be agreed to in writing.
▪ If the client
supplies the document later than the agreed start date without
providing two weeks’ written notice, a late fee of 5% of the
final project fee will apply per day.
4. Making use
of your edit
▪ Your edit
consists of a cover letter naming recurring issues, as well as
the manuscript file with Tracked Changes and Comments. To get
the most out of your edit, you will need to work through both.
▪ Some authors
experience frustration or discomfort when first reviewing
edits. It is important to remember that the editor always
works with the intention of supporting the success of your
work.
▪ It is
recommended to read all feedback once through upon receipt and
then put the project aside for 1–2 weeks. After this time has
passed, the frustration should retreat, enabling you to
perceive each piece of feedback more objectively.
5. 100%
Human, No AI
▪ This editor
will not work with any AI-generated or AI-rewritten texts or
plots.
▪ Spelling and
grammar checkers are fine, provided you carefully vet each
suggestion you accept.
▪ If it emerges
provably that AI has been used by a client, the editor will
cancel the job and any payments made may be non-refundable.
▪ The editor’s
comments may not be fed into any AI model or other
language-generating database.
▪ The editor
will not use any generative AI assistance to complete the
edit. You’re hiring wetware, not software.
6. Ownership
& Responsibility
▪ The client
agrees to provide the editor with the full manuscript by the
booked starting date.
▪ All materials
to be edited must be provided by the client as a single,
complete document unless otherwise agreed in advance.
▪ The client
warrants that all materials provided for editing are their own
original work, except where sources are properly quoted or
attributed.
▪ If more than
one editing round appears to be required, the editor will
inform the client as soon as possible. This may occur if, for
example, extensive rewording or new material is required. Each
agreement and cost estimate is for one round only. It is
recommended to use a different editor or proofreader for a
second round, to ensure fresh eyes on the text.
▪ The client
must obtain written permission from the editor if they want to
acknowledge her as the editor of the document.
▪ The editor
takes no responsibility for the client not implementing
recommended changes. You are always free to accept or decline
the editor’s suggestions, but please consider carefully before
you reject advice that you have paid for and is intended to
help you.
7.
Professional standards
▪ The editor is
committed to providing professional, high-quality editing and
writing services to support the client’s goals, while
upholding the highest ethical standards.
8.
Confidentiality
▪ The editor
agrees to treat all materials provided by the client as
confidential and will not disclose any content without the
client’s permission. The client may request their documents to
be destroyed after the job has been completed.
▪ The editor
collects, uses and stores client contact information solely
for the purpose of fulfilling the contracted services. All
personal data will be treated as confidential and managed in
compliance with applicable privacy laws. Information will not
be shared with any third party without the client’s prior
written consent, except where disclosure is required by law or
regulatory obligation.
10. Copyright
▪ The client
retains full copyright of the original and edited work.
▪ The editor may
list the project (e.g., title, retail purchase link, general
description) in their public portfolio or marketing materials,
unless the client requests this not be done.
11.
Limitation of liability
The editor will
exercise reasonable care and skill in performing the services
but cannot guarantee the final document will be free of all
errors or guarantee publication or submission success. The
editor’s liability is limited to the value of the services
provided.
12.
Termination
Either party may
terminate the agreement in writing. If the agreement is
terminated after work has commenced, the client will be
charged for work completed to date, and the deposit remains
non-refundable unless otherwise agreed in writing.
