The Estimate

To receive a free estimate of what it should cost to edit your work, you’ll need to email me at ckaiser60@gmail.com with just two things:

• a sample of your writing: at least a chapter if your work is fiction, and the whole manuscript (or a chapter and an outline of the components of the book) if your work is non-fiction
• an accurate word count

The estimate is calculated as a range. Please keep in mind that the figures I’ll give you are an estimate only. While I make every attempt to stay within my original estimate and manage to do so about 90% of the time, some projects may exceed it (while others may come in below the estimate). I always notify the author as soon as I suspect I might be running overtime on a project.

The Sample Edit

If you would like to see a sample of my work, you may request a free sample edit of approximately a thousand words (about four double-spaced pages) from your manuscript. If you feel you don’t need to see this, we can proceed without it–it’s completely optional.

The Agreement

Once you consent to proceed with the editing, I draw up an agreement in plain, comprehensible English outlining the particulars of your project. Based on our discussions, I’ll specify the estimate, due date, types of editing to be done, and the terms of payment. Please note that, as stated in your agreement, our work together is confidential, and you can also be assured that your work remains your property. When our arrangements are finalized, we each sign a copy of the agreement and we’re ready to go.

Payment

I ask for a 50% deposit before I start editing, and I don’t consider that you’ve officially booked my time until I’ve received this deposit. The percentage of the deposit is negotiable in special circumstances; I’m amenable to setting up a payment plan that works for you. Final payment should be made within 30 days of invoicing or interest charges will apply.

Canadian clients, I’m set up for e-transfers so that you can make payments directly to my account. I also accept personal cheques. US and overseas clients may wish to pay using the convenience of PayPal. All you need to make a PayPal payment is my email address, ckaiser60@gmail.com.

Delivering the Manuscript 

You’ll deliver your unedited manuscript by email, since the editing is done electronically. For manuscripts that need editing proper (as opposed to proofreading), I require a Word document, which I edit using Track Changes.  If you are unfamiliar with how to handle a document that has been edited using Track Changes, I can walk you through everything you need to know.  For proofreading, I require a PDF of your manuscript and work on this using Adobe Acrobat.