Why do we need a sample edit?
Not every technically proficient editor is a good match for your personality, writing style, or genre.
Likewise, not every story is a good match for my tastes and expertise.
So a sample helps each of us decide if we are a good fit.
Would this sample edit be free?
Some editors offer a free sample edit, and I used to as well. It is reasonable to want to take a test drive before buying.
But I have found that writers who want to work with professionals in the publishing industry understand that in a business, time has value. And if I am doing a sample edit for one potential client, I am not working on another author’s contracted project.
So I now charge a $100 fee for sample edits.
What does this Sample Edit and Assessment scenario look like?
You fill out the Contact form on my website with:
Then what?
If I think I can help you, I will invoice you and ask you to send me a Word document with a minimum of your first, last, and middle chapters. I will look them over, getting a sense for what your manuscript needs. And I will edit about 1,000 words.
What will the sample edit itself look like?
Using MS Word's Track Changes, I will read through the sample chapters once and offer commentary or correction - both inline (right in the text) and in Comments (in the margins). It will not be a comprehensive edit or 'perfect' (which, to be clear, is not possible). It will be a sampling to illustrate my style and the types of feedback I can and will provide.
Along with this single-pass edit of your Word document, I will offer:
Then ...
You can look all this over and decide:
If we have an accord 😊, I will draw up the contract for you to sign and issue an invoice for a deposit. I will also send you a New Client Questionnaire which is designed to give me more insight into your project and you. The better I know you the more helpful my comments and suggestions will be.
I would like to know about:
I look forward to hearing from you!
Not every technically proficient editor is a good match for your personality, writing style, or genre.
Likewise, not every story is a good match for my tastes and expertise.
So a sample helps each of us decide if we are a good fit.
Would this sample edit be free?
Some editors offer a free sample edit, and I used to as well. It is reasonable to want to take a test drive before buying.
But I have found that writers who want to work with professionals in the publishing industry understand that in a business, time has value. And if I am doing a sample edit for one potential client, I am not working on another author’s contracted project.
So I now charge a $100 fee for sample edits.
What does this Sample Edit and Assessment scenario look like?
You fill out the Contact form on my website with:
- Name
- Website (if any)
- Your Timeline (very important)
- Tell me how you heard about BFF Editing
- Describe your project (feel free to be expansive)
- Tell me about the person behind the pen (including your writing experience)
Then what?
If I think I can help you, I will invoice you and ask you to send me a Word document with a minimum of your first, last, and middle chapters. I will look them over, getting a sense for what your manuscript needs. And I will edit about 1,000 words.
What will the sample edit itself look like?
Using MS Word's Track Changes, I will read through the sample chapters once and offer commentary or correction - both inline (right in the text) and in Comments (in the margins). It will not be a comprehensive edit or 'perfect' (which, to be clear, is not possible). It will be a sampling to illustrate my style and the types of feedback I can and will provide.
Along with this single-pass edit of your Word document, I will offer:
- my assessment of the editing stage your story is in
- an estimate of how much time I think it will take
- my determination of whether I can help you
- when I could fit the project into my schedule
- an estimate of how much it will cost
Then ...
You can look all this over and decide:
- if the edits and style seem helpful
- if you agree on the type and stage of editing service
- if the proposed project fee works with your budget
- if the available slot in my schedule works with your timeline
If we have an accord 😊, I will draw up the contract for you to sign and issue an invoice for a deposit. I will also send you a New Client Questionnaire which is designed to give me more insight into your project and you. The better I know you the more helpful my comments and suggestions will be.
I would like to know about:
- your Work in Progress (WIP)
- the length
- the genre
- the form of English (American, New Zealand, etc.) in which it is written
- your target audience
- your timeline and flexibility
- your intentions and goals for publishing
- your writing background and style
- your familiarity with MS Word and Track Changes
- your experience with editors
I look forward to hearing from you!
