FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ: FAQ

AM I READY FOR EDITORIAL SERVICES?

In the grand scheme of things, only you can answer that question. Sharing your work with a stranger can be very personal and sometimes scary. Plus, every writer is different, and every project is different. When you feel you are ready, that's probably when you are.

Specifically, a Manuscript Evaluation or Consultation can be done at any stage of the writing process. These services are very generalized and designed to give an overview of the project as a whole, rather than detailed feedback.

Developmental Edits and Line Edits are only available for complete stories. That doesn't mean ready for publication. It means you've written the entire story and gone through it at least once or twice to work out all the issues you can find on your own. I also recommend letting your work rest for a while after you're finished and then going through it one last time with a very detailed eye.

I don't recommend a Copy Edit for any project that isn't complete, polished, and as ready for publication as possible. This service doesn't look at the story so much as the technical details and random quirks of the English language.

WHAT KIND OF WORKS DO YOU EDIT?

I edit pretty much any kind of fiction. My most frequent work is in adult novel-length romance and urban fantasy, but I have experience with science fiction, literary fiction, mystery, dystopian, high fantasy, alternate history, etc. I've worked on adult projects, young adult, and middle grade, from flash fiction to novel length, and everything in between.

OKAY. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WON'T EDIT?

Non-fiction. School projects. Media copy. Poetry. There's nothing wrong with these types of projects, but editing them isn't where my talents lie.

Within fiction, I do reserve the right to reject projects I find objectionable. If your project is racist, misogynist, fascist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, gratuitously violent toward children or marginalized groups, or anything like that, I'm not the right editor for you.

CAN YOU HELP ME GET AN AGENT / GET PUBLISHED BY A TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING HOUSE OR SMALL PRESS?

No. While I have worked with agented and traditionally published authors, I don't have any ties to or arrangements with publishing agents or acquiring editors. My editorial services are geared toward independently publishing authors. In addition to writing the story, indie authors do all their own production work, which includes hiring me, a freelance editor.

Traditionally published authors get editorial services from their publishing house. If you're looking to go the traditional publishing route, you don't need a freelance editor.

DO I HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT?

Yes. I use a contract for every project to protect everyone's interests and make sure we have the same expectations. My contract lays out the timeline and scope of the project, as well as spelling out my policies for things like rescheduling and cancellation.

Once you've booked an editorial service with Rewrites, I'll send you a project-specific contract that must be signed and returned within two weeks or 24 hours before the start of work, whichever comes first, in order to hold your spot on my calendar.

If you are interested in seeing a sample contract to review beforehand, just let me know.

DO YOU CHARGE A DEPOSIT? IS IT REFUNDABLE?

There is a deposit of 50% of the total contract due at least 24 hours before the start of work. Your deposit is refundable, as long as you cancel our contract in writing at least 24 hours before the start of work.

WHEN IS THE REST OF THE CONTRACT TOTAL DUE?

The balance of your contract will be due within 30 days of the completion of work.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER FEES?

I try not to charge fees. There are no booking fees or contracting fees or anything like that. The only fee I have is a late fee of $75 per business day if your project and deposit aren't submitted by 24 hours before the scheduled start of work date. At that point, it's too late for me to put other work into your calendar slot.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

If you contract with me for editorial services and then need to cancel for any reason, please notify me in writing as soon as possible.

If you cancel more than 24 hours before I am scheduled to start work on your project, you owe me nothing and I'll issue a full refund of any deposit you have already paid.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before our scheduled start date or once work has already begun, I will stop editing and determine the amount owed for any work already completed. You will forfeit the 50% deposit, and you will be billed for any balance due in excess of that amount.

CAN I RESCHEDULE AN EDIT IF MY PLANS CHANGE?

Of course. If you know you will need to reschedule, please contact me as soon as possible. I'll check my availability and work with you to create a new timeline. There is no fee for rescheduling, as long as we can create a revised contract more than 24 hours before the date I was originally scheduled to begin work on your project. If the revised contract is not completed by that time, a late fee of $75 per business day will be assessed on the project until the revised contract is created.

I WANT YOU TO EDIT MY STORY. WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

First, yay!

Second, all you need to do is send me a message via the contact form on this website. We'll get your project scheduled on my calendar and I'll send you a contract. I look forward to working with you.