Frequently Asked Questions
Before you entrust me with your precious manuscripts, of course you will have some questions. I hope you will find your answers here – but if not, please use the contact form at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you asap.
How do I know which editing service is right for me?
This depends partly on what stage your manuscript is at, and partly on your writing itself. I will discuss this with you in detail, and I will also advise you based on a free sample edit of your work.
How long will the editorial work take?
This depends critically on the length of the manuscript and what type of editing you need – I will provide a clear timeline in my quote.
You charge by the hour. How do I know how much the editing will cost?
For your peace of mind, I offer a free, no-obligation sample editing service. I will ask for a short extract of your work, usually around 800-1000 words in length, and will edit it for you, usually within 24 hours of receipt. I will send my edited version back, along with an estimate of how long I think the whole manuscript will take.
I will provide a quote based on the estimated time and my hourly rate – this will be a maximum amount, and if the work takes less time than I anticipate, I will charge you less accordingly.
There is no obligation or charge for this service; I offer it to all new clients and for long projects. It means that you can see how I work with no risk to you, and I can get a feel for your writing and the type of editing you need.
Will you send me a contract?
No – I use our written and dated communications (emails) to proxy for contractual agreements. However, I will send you a copy of my terms and conditions before I start work. You can also see these by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
How do I pay you?
I accept bank transfers (BACS, CHAPS or international), and PayPal. I can help you with setting these up if required.
Do I need to send you a deposit?
No, I don’t generally ask for a deposit, but if you would like to send one that’s fine.
What format do my documents need to be in?
I can edit effectively in .doc, .docx, .rtf and .odt formats.
I prefer not to edit .pdf, .xls. .xlsx or .tex documents – if you send me documents in these formats I will usually ask you to resend them in a different form.
If your question isn’t answered above, please drop me a line using the form below and I’ll be happy to get back to you.