Expectations

What To Expect From Us:

Our job is to be completely open and honest with you on what we can and cannot accomplish. Feel free to make any request that comes to mind and we will let you know if it can be done.

Our Process Upon Initial Contact:

We will ask you a series of questions to get a full scope of the potential project. Here is a list of some of the inquiries we may make (depending on the information we receive in your initial query):

• What type of work is needed on the manuscript? (copy editing? formatting? etc.)
• How intensive will the services required need to be? Do you foresee that your manuscript will require heavy editing (with many changes) or light editing (with few changes)?
• Have you received any editing or analysis feedback on your manuscript in the past? If so, what was it?
• How long is the manuscript? Is the manuscript complete? 
• Are there any deadlines concerning your manuscript? (Does your publisher need it by a certain date, etc?)
• What is the genre of your work?
• What is your preferred method of communication? (email? snail mail?)
• What are your expectations of us?

We will also discuss the following (based on the information you give us):

• We will give an estimate of the total cost of the project based on the word count you provide. 
• We will lay out our payment schedule and how we accept payment. 
• We will explain the reservation fee (which takes the place of a cancellation fee).
• We will provide samples of our past work.

Once we understand what your needs are, we will then ask if you would like us to do a paid sample edit on a portion of your work (usually around 10 pages). You may opt out of this, but this test is offered so that you can have a better sense of how your manuscript will be transformed in our hands before entering into a contract with us. The cost of this sample edit will be a flat fee of $40. Upon completion of a full manuscript editing service, this fee will be deducted from the total amount owed to us.

Should you decide to proceed with a full manuscript service, we will send you a contract to review. Once we receive a signed copy of the contract and a copy of your full manuscript, we will begin work on your project.

Our Payment Structure:

• 1st third of the total amount + the reservation fee is due to us at the beginning of the project.
• 2nd third of the total amount is due to us halfway through the project. The halfway point is determined by the contracted calendar days.
• Final third of the total amount, minus the reservation fee and sample edit fee (if a sample edit was done), is due to us upon completion of the project.

Note: the reservation fee is what we use instead of a cancellation fee. If you have to cancel your contract with us for any reason, at any time, the reservation fee covers the work we would have reserved for someone else that week. This fee is paid up-front and then subtracted from your total amount once the project reaches its completion.

Your Finished Manuscript:

When you get your manuscript back, you will find that there will never be a change made that isn't listed in the track changes. You will receive one copy of your manuscript with the track changes, and a second copy that is clean and polished. Here are just a few of the notes you may find within your manuscript:

• Is your book too short or too long, and if so, why?
• What cliches are present?
• Does your work have any major organizational or structural problems?
• Have you missed any key ingredients or not sufficiently developed any scenes?
• Are the characters unique and developed? Do they come alive on the page?
• Are there any issues with POV?
• What pieces of backstory enhance the narrative? Where might more backstory be beneficial?
• Is there too much description? Too much action? 
• Is the plot engaging?
• Is the story believable?
• Are there any repetitive words or phrases?
• Does your book stand out from others in your genre?
• Are the characters' voices consistent throughout the story?
• What issues continue to arise with grammar?

What We Expect From You:

The number one thing that we need from you is honesty.

Before we take on a project, we ask that you explain to us what you need in detail, as clearly and precisely as possible. This way, the process will go as smoothly as possible, and we’ll have a greater chance of meeting and exceeding your expectations.

Notify us immediately if there are any changes in the project that will affect our work, especially changes involving schedule or scope. That way, we can switch gears quickly, and you won’t be charged for anything you don't need.

We ask that you honor the terms of our contract, with special attention to prompt payment.

We ask that you try to resolve any problems that may arise in a fair and congenial manner. We promise to do the same. We are looking for working relationships with authors, so our number one goal is to make our clients happy.