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Service Policy
AGREEMENT TO WORK
Once you submit an inquiry, we will discuss your needs, my fee, and the proposed turnaround time. If we decide to move forward, I will provide you with my standard Client Agreement, which will be customized to reflect the specific scope of your project. However, it will also include standard provisions regarding intellectual property, confidentiality, warranties, indemnities, and other essential terms applicable to all my projects.
By submitting an inquiry through this website, you acknowledge and agree to accept the standard language of the Client Agreement as-is, with no modifications. I require an electronic signature via my client portal, along with a deposit equal to half of the total editing fee (some exceptions apply; see below). The remaining balance, if applicable, is due upon receipt of the completed edit or consultation. For more details on payment, please see the section below.
GUARANTEE
Please note that I cannot guarantee publication, literary representation, or bestseller status as a result of my services. Like any creative endeavor, some factors are simply beyond my control. However, I am confident that our work together will strengthen your writing and deepen your understanding of the craft. For some tips and resources on how to improve your writing, and how to manage editing expectations, please read my little red notes.
EDITORIAL SERVICES
All services provided are editorial in nature, meaning I will offer feedback based on my knowledge, experience, and expertise to help strengthen your manuscript and make it more competitive in the market. However, the revision process is entirely up to you. Rewriting, ghostwriting, co-writing, or extensive revision services are not included in any package and should not be expected.
At no point will I rewrite or compose sentences or passages on your behalf, except to provide examples of possible revisions. You will receive a manuscript with feedback, notes, and markup—including proofreading suggestions in certain editing packages—but your own revision efforts will be essential to making the most of the service.
SCHEDULING
Consultations and professional services can be booked through the website or at the time of consultation. To move forward with services, a service form must be completed before booking is confirmed. The booking process ensures that all necessary details are documented, including project scope, deadlines, and payment expectations.
Once the sample has been reviewed and deemed acceptable for submission, a contract will be drawn outlining the terms of service. An invoice for services will be provided at this stage. Upon manuscript delivery via email, a deposit of half the total fee is due. Work will not begin until the deposit has been received. The remaining balance must be paid according to the terms set in the contract.
If an inquiry about editing services is made via email, the editor will direct the inquirer to the website for project scheduling. All projects must be formally scheduled before any work commences. Project start dates are subject to the editor’s calendar availability and current project load. While every effort will be made to accommodate your tentative project release date, scheduling is based on availability. If your project requires expedited services, there will be an additional $100 fee added to the total costs. Be sure to indicate any expedited service requests when submitting your sample manuscript and completing the service form.
SUBMISSIONS
All manuscripts (sample and final) must be submitted as a double-spaced Word document (.doc or .docx) with standard 1" margins and 12-point Times New Roman (or similar) font. Submissions will be taken by email at lethalredpen31@yahoo.com. The only confirmation provided will be an email acknowledging receipt of the manuscript.
For editing services, I require a two-chapter sample of your manuscript to be submitted at the time of service inquiry. This allows me to preview your writing style and the extent of work your manuscript requires so I am able to quote you fairly and assess how much time your project will need. If I do not receive a two-chapter sample, the completed submission form, and the required markup fee; the sample submission will not be accepted.
A manuscript will be rejected if the client agreement has not been signed and returned, the deposit is not made, or it was not previously approved for editing. Once a manuscript is submitted, no revised versions will be accepted. Work begins as soon as materials are received. The final manuscript should be submitted in the same format that the sample chapters were delivered in. If the manuscript is not properly formatted for editing, it will be returned to you for proper formatting and is due by the start date listed in the contract to keep your slot.
If I cannot determine who is speaking to whom in the manuscript or if the writing format is incorrect (e.g., no quotation marks to indicate direct speech), I will return your manuscript. If the manuscript can be salvaged without being returned, I may choose to complete the job; however, additional fees will be incurred due to the extra time and difficulty involved.
EDITING AND REVISIONS
The first round of editing will begin on the start date specified in the contract. The turnaround time for the initial edits is typically 2–4 weeks, depending on the extent of work required. I will provide all feedback electronically in a Word document using Track Changes for line edits and margin comments. Authors must be able to send and receive files electronically and review Track Changes in Microsoft Word or an equivalent program, but no technical troubleshooting will be provided. If you prefer a printed version of your feedback, you will be responsible for all applicable printing and shipping costs.
Edited manuscripts will be returned via email. A confirmation of receipt of your files is due within seven days. Confirmation of receipt indicates the start of the project revision policy. If no confirmation is sent, the return time clock will automatically start on the 7th day. Failure to confirm receipt of your files will not be considered a delay or unreasonable withholding on the editor’s part, as good faith efforts will have been made to return them.
Once returned, clients are responsible for reviewing the edits, making any necessary revisions, and submitting the updated manuscript within two calendar weeks. If a project is not returned by the scheduled due date, it may be subject to delays, and continuation will depend on the editor’s calendar availability. The editor is not responsible for sending reminders, and clients are expected to adhere to all agreed-upon deadlines.
Once the client submits their revisions, the editor will conduct a second round of editing and perform a final re-read to ensure the manuscript is error-free. The final, polished document will be delivered to the client by the contractual deadline.
PROOFREADING
I maintain a strict yet supportive proofreading policy to ensure clarity, accuracy, and professionalism in all written content. Proofreading focuses on correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and typographical errors while preserving the writer’s voice and intent. I will not alter content structure or rewrite passages but may suggest minor refinements for readability. Clients are responsible for fact-checking and ensuring adherence to specific style guidelines. Any major revisions beyond standard proofreading may require additional editing services. I uphold confidentiality and respect deadlines, providing polished and error-free documents with a keen eye for detail.
PAYMENT POLICY
To initiate the editing process, a $25 fee is required when submitting a two-chapter sample of your manuscript. This fee covers the sample markup service and will be deducted from your deposit if the manuscript is accepted for editing. If a sample is not submitted with the required fee, the full manuscript submission will not be accepted.
Once a manuscript has been officially submitted and approved for editing, a 50% deposit of the total service fee is required before work begins. This deposit secures the project on the editor’s schedule and ensures the allocation of time and resources for the manuscript’s review and editing. Work will not commence until the deposit has been received in full.
The final payment is due at the completion of edits. Edits are considered complete when the author has reviewed and accepted all tracked changes, and the editor has conducted a final re-read of the manuscript. A project is considered fully completed once the final version of the manuscript has been returned to the author without markups.
A payment reminder will be sent at least five days before the scheduled completion date. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the final payment is made on time. If the final payment has not been received, the completed manuscript will not be delivered until payment is received in full. If the final payment is more than a week late, late payment penalties may apply. A $25 fee will be added for each additional week that the payment remains outstanding. The editor also reserves the right to withhold the completed manuscript until the outstanding balance, including any accrued late fees, has been paid.
Accepted payment methods include Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle. Payment plans are not available. Clients are expected to submit all funds owed on or before the agreed due dates as outlined in the contract. All quoted prices are in U.S. dollars. If a manuscript is found to be significantly longer or shorter than originally discussed and outlined in the Client Agreement, the final balance payment will be adjusted accordingly. If necessary, the editor will issue a refund for overpayment or provide an additional invoice for the remaining balance. The balance of the editing fee (if applicable) is due immediately upon receipt of the final service invoice.
This payment policy is non-negotiable and must be followed to ensure a smooth editing process for both parties.
DISCOUNTS AND REFERRALS
Clients who successfully refer two new clients who book an editing service will qualify for a service discount on their next editing project. A referral is considered successful when the referred individual officially books a service and completes the necessary deposit payment. Once two referrals have been confirmed, the original client will be eligible for a discount on editing services only. This discount cannot be applied to consultation fees or other professional services.
For each individual referral, the referrer will receive a $75 discount toward their next editing service once the referred client has booked and paid the required deposit. There is no limit to the number of referrals a client can make, meaning multiple referrals can lead to multiple discounts. However, referral discounts cannot be combined—only one discount may be applied per project.
New clients who were referred will also benefit from this program. First-time referrals will receive a 15% discount on their first editing service. This discount is applied once their booking and deposit payment are complete. At the same time, the existing client who referred them will receive their $75 discount for a future service.
REFUNDS
Due to the time-intensive and highly personalized nature of my services, refunds are not available once work has begun on your project. The only exception is if the work has not yet started. In such cases, I will issue a full refund of your deposit via your original payment method within one week of receiving a written refund request. Beyond this exception, no refunds will be granted under any circumstances. If a client chooses not to complete payment for the second half of the editing fee after receiving feedback, I will take appropriate measures to recover the outstanding balance through official channels. This policy is non-negotiable and is in place to protect the time and effort invested in each project.
TESTIMONIALS
After our work concludes, I may request a testimonial, though you are not obligated to provide one. If you do, I reserve the right to edit for clarity and length while maintaining your intent and may publish it with your first name and last initial in marketing materials. If you would like to leave a review and a testimonial, please complete the form here.
RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE
I reserve the right to decline a manuscript if it is not the right fit, and this decision will be made before any consultation or editorial work begins.
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