Q -Why do we need a sample edit?
A - Not every technically proficient editor is a good match for your personality, sensitivity, writing style, or genre.
Likewise, not every story is a good match for my tastes and expertise. (See Preferred Genres)
So a sample helps us both decide if we are a good fit.
Q -Would this sample edit be free?
A - It is reasonable to want to take a test drive before buying.
Some editors offer a free sample edit, and I used to as well.
But I have found writers who want to work with professionals in the publishing industry understand that, in 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 $50 fee for sample edits.
Q -How do we get started?
A - You fill out the Contact form on my website with:
Sharing this information right off the bat saves us both a lot of time and back and forth emails.
Q -Then what?
A - If I think I can help you, I will invoice you and ask you to send me your manuscript in a formatted Word document (or a minimum of your first, last, and middle chapters). I will look it over, getting a sense for what your story needs, and I will edit about 1,000 words.
Q -What will the sample edit and assessment look like?
A - 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, nor will it be "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:
Q -Then . . .?
A - You can look all this over and decide:
If everything clicks, I will draw up the contract for you to sign and issue an invoice for a 50% 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:
- the genre
- the form of English (Australian, British, American, New Zealand)
I hope to hear from you!
A - Not every technically proficient editor is a good match for your personality, sensitivity, writing style, or genre.
Likewise, not every story is a good match for my tastes and expertise. (See Preferred Genres)
So a sample helps us both decide if we are a good fit.
Q -Would this sample edit be free?
A - It is reasonable to want to take a test drive before buying.
Some editors offer a free sample edit, and I used to as well.
But I have found writers who want to work with professionals in the publishing industry understand that, in 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 $50 fee for sample edits.
Q -How do we get started?
A - 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 your experiences with editing (positive and negative)
- Tell me about your writing experience, goals for writing and publishing, etc.
Sharing this information right off the bat saves us both a lot of time and back and forth emails.
Q -Then what?
A - If I think I can help you, I will invoice you and ask you to send me your manuscript in a formatted Word document (or a minimum of your first, last, and middle chapters). I will look it over, getting a sense for what your story needs, and I will edit about 1,000 words.
Q -What will the sample edit and assessment look like?
A - 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, nor will it be "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
Q -Then . . .?
A - You can look all this over and decide:
- if my feedback is helpful (I am generous with my suggestions, explanations, and resource links)
- if my style of critique works with your personality (I can be a bit blunt, but I am never unkind)
- if you agree on the type and stage of editing service I've recommended
- if the proposed project fee works with your budget
- if the available slot in my schedule works with your timeline (I'm usually booked months out for big projects)
If everything clicks, I will draw up the contract for you to sign and issue an invoice for a 50% 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 genre
- the form of English (Australian, British, American, New Zealand)
- your own English language background
- 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 self-editing tools and process
- your experience with editors
I hope to hear from you!
