Q: How soon can you fit me in?
A: This varies on how many manuscripts I have lined up to edit, as well as where I might be on a deadline schedule with my own writing. Shorter projects (query letters, synopses, short stories, novellas) can usually be slotted much more quickly. Please EMAIL ME, including the details of your project, to check my current schedule.
Q: How do I reserve a spot in your schedule?
First, EMAIL ME the details of your project. Please include:
- genre (literary, mystery, women’s fiction, or another genre) and intended audience (Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult, Adult)
- approximate page count; pages must be double-spaced, 1-inch margins, in Times New Roman size 12 font
- date the manuscript will be ready for submission
- type of edits you are requesting
- sample of your manuscript – the first 10 consecutive pages of the project
I will check my schedule and get back with you to choose a date for your submission. Once we agree on a submission date, I will need 1/3 of the entire balance as a down payment to secure a slot in my editing schedule.
Q: Why you so freakishly intense about the formatting of my submission?
A: I want you to familiarize yourself with the industry standard, as that is what all agents and editors expect from writers who are serious about seeing a project through to publication. This is also the best way for me to offer the most constructive feedback on your submission.
For submission, your manuscript should be formatted as follows:
- double-spaced
- 1-inch margins
- Times New Roman font – size 12
- chapter headers beginning on a new page, 1/3 of the way down
- regular paragraph structure – drop new paragraphs to the next line and indent the length of one ‘tab’ space
- regular dialogue structure – drop down to a new line for each speaker, use quotation marks before and after the spoken lines
Q: How do I make a payment for your services?
A: You may pay via PayPal, check, or money order. The payment is broken down into three installments:
- 1/3 of the entire balance as a down payment to reserve a slot in my schedule
- 1/3 of the entire balance upon submission (I will not begin editing until receiving this portion of the payment)
- 1/3 of the entire balance upon completion (estimated at 2 weeks after you submit your materials). You are expected to pay the balance within 7 calendar days of completion. I will return your manuscript as soon as I have received your final payment.
Note: for smaller projects – query letters, synopses, short stories, novellas – I require payment in full to be made upfront.
Q: How long will it take for you to complete the editing process?
A: I go through one round of edits, typically taking two weeks to return feedback. This allows me time to thoroughly ponder the big picture elements of the story as well as the nitpicky details. If I will be longer than the two-week mark, I will contact you with a new return date.
Q: May I contact you for clarification on your feedback?
A: Of course! I want to be sure that you are clear on all of my suggestions. I will also consider any ideas you have for revision based on our feedback so I can reassure you that you are on the right track.
I do, however, ask that you review and consider all feedback for a full week before submitting any questions for clarification and that you submit all of your questions at one time. This is the typical process with agents and editors, as time and space are essential to brainstorm the best changes to any story. To ensure that your plot is still fresh in my mind, and to offer the best feedback on any questions you have, I ask that you submit your list of questions one to two weeks after I return your manuscript.
While I am happy to answer questions based on my initial feedback, I cannot offer a second read after revisions have been made unless you are willing to pay an additional reading fee.
Q: Are there any types of projects that you decline to edit?
A: I do not edit material that is outside my area of expertise – non-fiction; young children’s books in the picture book and chapter book realm. If the content is grossly offensive (excessively sexual or violent in nature), I reserve the right to cancel at any time. Lengthy manuscripts (over 125,000 words, 500 pages) tend to need extensive feedback, and I cannot take on projects of this nature. Incomplete manuscripts are tricky to edit, therefore I make decisions on a case-by-case basis. If you have roughly ½ of a manuscript, I will consider taking the project on, but pages must be consecutive.
Note: If you are concerned about content, I am willing to review a sample to let you know if your project is something I can take on. (Side Note: I’m a huge fan of several edgy contemporary novels, TV shows, and movies, so don’t let this stipulation scare you away.)
Q: Can you guarantee my manuscript will be published or that I will land an agent?
A: In the literary world, as in life, there are no guarantees. I will do my best to guide you as you polish and strengthen your manuscript, but can offer no guarantees regarding agents, editors, or sales. I have experience teaching English and Creative Writing, from middle and high school students to the university level, as well as adults and teachers learning new ways to teach writing. I have years of experience working in the publishing industry with multiple books published and can offer practical feedback based on that experience. What you ultimately do (or do not do) with that feedback is up to you.
Q: Can you refer me to your agent or editor?
A: Sorry! I cannot make referrals to agents or editors, as per my contractual agreements.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Life sometimes throws curveballs, so I understand that things can change. If you know that there will be an issue with the date we have scheduled, please contact me as soon as possible.
The cancellation schedule is as follows:
- 100% refund of the down payment if you cancel at least 2 months before the scheduled date for your edits to begin.
- 50% refund of the down payment if you cancel between 2 months and 2 weeks of the scheduled date for your edits to begin.
- No refund of the down payment if you cancel less than 2 weeks before the scheduled date for your edits to begin.
- No refund if you fail to submit your manuscript by the agreed upon date.
FAQ
Q: What is your rescheduling policy?
A: Deadlines can be tricky to meet; trust me, I understand! If you need more time with your project so you can submit the most polished manuscript possible, please contact me. If you can be flexible with my crazy deadlines, I’m certainly willing to reschedule for my next available slot. Please keep in mind that I book several months in advance, so this could push you back quite a bit. I would appreciate you making every effort to submit your project according to our agreed-upon date.