take a minute to review my terms of service.

Terms of service

Please read this information carefully before contacting me.

Last Updated: November 3, 2023.

Right to refuse

As a freelance editor, I have the right to select the clients with whom I choose to work. I reserve the right to decline any project or working relationship that I deem inappropriate, unethical, or beyond the scope of my expertise. I may consider factors such as the nature of the project, time constraints, and workload before accepting or declining a project offer.

If I do find you would benefit from editorial guidance, I will request a sample of your writing (if not already provided) and together we can discuss your needs.

remit

While I am here to provide professional editorial services, there are certain tasks that fall outside the scope of my responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Finding an agent to represent you

  • Querying agents on your behalf

  • Acting as an agent to represent your interests

  • Extensive re-writing, ghostwriting, or co-writing

Please note that my primary role is to assist you with the refinement and improvement of your work through editing, proofreading, and providing feedback. It is your responsibility to seek literary representation if you wish to pursue agent-related services.

Nevertheless, I am always happy to provide you with advice on how to approach literary agents or publishers. I cannot guarantee representation as a result of such advice.

Agreeing to Work Together

Once I have received your initial inquiry, we will discuss your needs, my rate, and the collaboration deadline. Once we have mutually agreed to collaborate on a project, I will provide you with a standard Editing Contract customized to agreed upon needs and services. This will outline the project details, including scope, timelines, and compensation. The agreement will ensure clarity and a shared understanding of expectations from both parties. Once signed electronically by both parties, no further changes can be made to agreement unless both parties agree; in which case, an addendum will be provided.

For projects over USD $600, a 10% deposit will be needed before the collaboration can begin. The remaining fee will be due upon receipt of the editing materials, consultation, and/or the deadline of the collaboration. Payments are invoiced and processed via STRIPE.

Editorial Services

During the editorial process, my services may include, but are not limited to:

  • Line editing to improve clarity, coherence, consistency of language usage, and style

  • Developmental editing to enhance the overall structure, plot, characters, and narrative flow

  • Providing feedback and suggestions for improvements via marginal comments and/or Editorial Assessment

It is important to note that while I strive to provide high-quality editorial services, the ultimate responsibility for the content and final decisions regarding your work rests with you as the author.

Authors should not expect me to extensively rewrite sentences or whole passages for them, except as an example to rephrase or strengthen certain portions of text. All changes and suggestions within an author’s manuscript will be shown as “Tracked Changes” or marginal comments.

Submission and feedback Instructions

Once we agree to collaborate, all submissions should be submitted to me digitally as a Word (.doc or .docx), Pages, or Google Doc in standard formatting: 1” margins, double-spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman. I am not as picky with formatting, however, as long as the text is readable. If you are unable to provide me with a submission under these parameters, or by the specified start of our collaboration, I am not responsible for any resulting delays to our collaboration deadline. Work will begin on your manuscript as soon as I receive your materials.

All feedback is done electronically. My Editorial Assessments are typically provided in a PDF, while line and developmental edits are shown via Tracked Changes and marginal comments. Please ensure your chosen word processor is capable of viewing comments and tracked changes. I am not responsible for any technical troubleshooting around this.

All feedback will be returned via email. It is your responsibility to download the files and store appropriately upon receipt. I will keep your edited files indefinitely (should we ever need to return to prior versions) unless you request otherwise.

follow-up & Revisions

Following the completion of an editorial assessment and/or developmental edit, I offer a complimentary debrief session to address any concerns or suggested revisions. Please request this debrief session during our initial discussions. Any foll0w-up consulting sessions requested after the fact will be subject to my standard consulting prices based on session length.

Revisions beyond this period will be subject to additional charges. I treat revisions as separate editing projects, as the time investment on my part remains the same. However, there is no obligation to return to me with your revisions.

Scheduling & Communication

I aim to respond to all inquiries and collaboration messages within 48 hours. If I am unable to do so for any reason, I will respond at least to confirm receipt and will reply as soon as I can.

When scheduling consulting sessions, please note that my availability in a typical Monday-Friday workweek is only from 3:30pm EST to 8pm EST. However, I can make more time available for authors on Saturdays. I do not schedule consulting services on Sundays. These times are subject to change, depending on vacation time or other activities that may impact my schedule.

I understand the importance of keeping to project timelines. Upon initiation of a project, I will work closely with my client to establish a mutually agreed-upon schedule. Any changes to this schedule must be communicated at least 48 hours in advance. Failure to provide adequate notice may result in the rescheduling of the project and could incur an additional fee.

Guarantee

I stand behind the quality of my work and am committed to delivering professional services to my clients. In the unlikely event that my work falls short of expectations, I offer a satisfaction guarantee. Please note that this guarantee is subject to reasonable evidence that my services or work provided is below the agreed-upon standards. I reserve the right to review and assess any claim made under this guarantee.

Please note, however, that I cannot guarantee that you will achieve publication or literary representation as a result of my services. My main goal as an editor is to ensure you are given the tools necessary to grow into a stronger writer, refine your voice, and furthermore gain a new understanding of the craft and your own work.

Payment Policy (via Stripe)

For ease and security, Finicky Muse Editorial accepts payments through Stripe. Payment is due upon the agreed upon deadline for project completion, noted in the Agreement and in the invoice. Failure to make payment within 30 days of the invoice date may result in additional charges.

For editing services that cost more than USD $600, a 10% deposit is requested at the start of our collaboration. The remaining balance will be invoiced once the project feedback has been completed and returned to the author.

Customized payment plans can be created upon request.

Refunds

Due to the time commitment and personal nature of my services, I do not offer refunds once work on your project has begun.

However, refunds can be processed if I have not yet begun the consultation or editing process for those projects where a deposit is required. If a refund is approved, it will be processed through the original payment method. Please note that refunds may be subject to a processing fee via Stripe.

Refunds will not be provided for services already rendered, revisions requested beyond the follow-up period, or project cancellations without adequate prior notice.

If you do not pay the editing fee once feedback has been provided, I will pursue official channels to recover payment. Failure to make payment within 30 days of the invoice date may result in additional charges.

This policy is non-negotiable.

Soliciting Testimonials

I genuinely appreciate clients who are willing to share their positive experiences with Finicky Muse Editorial. I may occasionally request testimonials that highlight the quality of our services. By providing a testimonial, you grant me permission to use it for promotional purposes, such as on the homepage of my website, social media channels, or other marketing materials unless otherwise specified in writing. Testimonials will only be used with the client's consent and efforts will be made to maintain client confidentiality if requested.