TERMS AND CONDITIONS
(UPDATED December 1, 2023)
Please read this information thoroughly before contacting me.
CLIENT-EDITOR RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT
After submitting your inquiry, we will discuss your:
- Project needs
- My fees
- Potential turnaround times
Once that is discussed, I will send my standard editing contract. Customization of the agreement will only include your project’s scope. All other sections will remain the same.
If you use my contact form, you agree to the editing contract’s standard language.
EDITORIAL SERVICES
As your editor, I will provide feedback to strengthen your manuscript using my best effort.
After our agreed-upon turnaround time, I will send a document with comments, questions, and other suggestions to improve your content.
All forms of editing will require your revisions.
SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT
After we have agreed to work together, please submit your manuscript using Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx).
I will begin the editing process as soon as I receive your manuscript.
Revised materials are not allowed after editing begins.
Most developmental and line editing notes will be placed into comments. Other edits (copyediting) will use Microsoft Word’s Track Changes.
REVISIONS
After applying my feedback, please feel free to submit revisions on the same project.
Each revision is a separate project, and I will charge the same rate(s) per word.
I will redo the process to strengthen the revised material.
If we have agreed on a bulk rate for the initial document, I will charge this same rate for the revision (as long as it’s a similar word count.)
Revisions are an optional service. After our initial project, you do not have to rehire me.
SCHEDULING
Travel or other activities may affect my schedule.
Please feel free to hire me months in advance.
After submitting a $210 reservation fee, I will place your project in my calendar. This fee is added to the project’s total cost.
GUARANTEE
There is no guarantee your work will be traditionally published or receive critical acclaim.
However, my services will strengthen your manuscript, improve your writing, and boost your self-editing skills.
PAYMENT POLICY
Payment is due upon completion of the installment or short project—and must be paid before completed work is sent.
All prices quoted are in US dollars. I primarily accept PayPal, Zelle, or ACH payments through your bank.
This policy is non-negotiable.
DISCOUNTS, REFERRALS, AND BUNDLES
Returning Client
1. Come back.
Get 10% off each project. Refer three long-form writers, and enjoy 15% off
Discounts
2. Book during my Black Friday month. Get 30% off + 5,000 words free.
30,000 words or more. Valid from Nov 1st – Dec 31st.
Use the code “DEONBF” in the contact form to get your deal.
3. Rocked Nanowrimo? Ready to spruce up those words?
Get 10% off from Jan 1st – March 1st.
Use the code “DEONNANO” in the contact form to get your deal.
4. It’s the holidays! Enjoy 10% off most editing services.
Use the code “HOLIDAYEDIT” in the contact form to get your deal.
Referrals
3. Refer three (3) long-form writers, and you will receive 10% off your next three (3) projects.
Use the code “REFERTHREE” in the contact form to get your deal.
Bundles
4. Bundle pricing for multiple projects of a specific genre is available.
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- Science Fiction
- Speculative Fiction
- African-American Fiction
- LGBTQ+
- YA (coming-of-age)
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Use the code “GETABUNDLE” in the contact form to get your deal.
REFUNDS
Due to the time-intensive nature of editing, I do not offer refunds after starting your project.
This policy is non-negotiable.
TESTIMONIALS
After our work concludes, I may ask for a testimonial. You do not have to provide a testimonial, but if you do, it will be edited to improve readability. These edits will preserve the meaning.
Your first name and last initial will be added to the testimonial on my website and other marketing materials.
CONFIDENTIALITY
I will not share, sell, or trade your identifying information with any person or entity.
Your content and its development will be kept confidential.
CONTENT REFUSAL
I will decline a manuscript if it does not feel like a good fit. Upon making this decision, I will notify you before we establish a client-editor relationship.
REPRINT OF EDITING CONTRACT
EDITING CONTRACT
CITY OF _____, _____
EDITOR & AUTHOR AGREEMENT
_____ (hereinafter, “Author”), an individual with a place of residence located at _____, _____, and _____ _____ (hereinafter, “Editor”), an individual with a place of residence located at _____, _____ do hereby agree to the following:
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- DESCRIPTION OF MANUSCRIPT. The Author has prepared an approximately _____-word manuscript currently titled _____. Pursuant to the terms and conditions herein, the Editor will provide service(s) as mutually agreed, confirmed in writing by the Author.
2. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES. The Editor agrees to accept, and the Author agrees to pay a minimum of $_____ US Dollars, which will be invoiced weekly via PayPal, Zelle, or ACH bank transfers. This fee applies to a manuscript up to ___________ words. Payments will be made in weekly installments; they will vary depending on each editing service’s set rate. Payments are based on a 10,000-word per week submission limit—and must be paid before completed work is sent.
a. RESERVATION FEE. A non-refundable reservation fee of $210 will be collected to reserve your space in the Editor’s schedule. This fee is added to the project’s total cost. The Author does not have to rehire the Editor.
In the event of one (1) missed submission deadline, the Editor will reschedule the start of the project as their calendar allows.
b. WORD COUNT. All editing services are based on the manuscript’s word count. Using Microsoft Word’s Word Count function, the Editor will use the total words shown to calculate the total cost of the project.
c. LATE PAYMENTS.
Payment is due upon completion of the installment or short project—and must be paid before completed work is sent.
The Editor will submit an invoice.
A penalty of 10% will be charged for each late payment.
3. AUTHOR SURCHARGE. The Author’s price above excludes a surcharge to cover transaction fees accrued through PayPal, Zelle, or ACH bank transfers. Fees must be paid by the Editor.
4. COMMENCEMENT OF WORK. Pending manuscript submission on or before [Day], _____ and initial payment, work will commence on _____ and be completed on ____ when the final invoice will be sent. The Editor will communicate any unexpected delays within a reasonable timeframe.
5. SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPT. All electronic files submitted via Samepage shall be formatted as a Word (.doc or .docx) document.
It is the responsibility of the Author to submit the document through the platform. The Editor is not responsible for any delays or missed deadlines. Delayed deadlines due to incorrectly submitted content do not constitute a breach of this Contract.
6. DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS. The Editor shall use Word’s commenting and tracking features to make edits in accordance with usage guidelines set forth by The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, as well as adhering to spellings as specified by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary for American English and the Cambridge English Dictionary for British English.
When the Editor completes a line edit or copyedit, the manuscript will be returned as two versions: a marked-up version with the edits visible for acceptance or rejection and a clean copy with all changes accepted and comments removed.
SCOPE OF WORK.
7. In a developmental edit, whole pages, scenes, or chapters may need reworking. However, the overall story is sound and has already undergone some revision. The Editor shall use Word’s commenting and tracking feature to note strengths and weaknesses with:
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- characterization
- conflict/tension
- description
- inconsistencies
- pacing
- passive writing
- plot
- point of view
- scene development
- showing vs. telling
Consistent grammatical errors will be pointed out as a common courtesy but not corrected repeatedly. An editorial report is also included.
a. When performing a developmental edit, the Editor shall prepare a single-spaced editorial report that addresses big-picture strengths and weaknesses present in the story regarding basic elements of successful storytelling. Some suggestions for revision are included as well. The editorial report will supplement the marked-up manuscript.
b. A developmental edit, if needed, is the first step of the editing process. To reduce rework, it cannot occur at the same time as other editing services. When the elements addressed in the developmental edit are finalized, other editing services will commence.
8. Line editing and copyediting are separate services that are billed at different rates.
In a line edit, sentences and paragraphs may require reworking rather than whole pages or scenes. The Editor will leave suggestions to improve the Author’s content. Revisions are needed from the Author. The areas addressed include:
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- awkward phrasing
- syntax issues (sentence variety and structure)
- repetition
- showing vs. telling
- best word choices
- passive verb elimination
- suitable dialogue
- clichés
- anachronisms
- chapter breaks
- timeline consistency
Minor fact-checking, as well as potential copyright issues, are also noted.
9. Copyediting and line editing are separate services that are billed at different rates.
In a copyedit, proper sentence mechanics, including basic errors in spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation, are eliminated to prepare the manuscript for the proofreader. A follow-up proofread by another set of eyes is advised to catch minor errors and formatting issues.
10. Consistency in formatting is lightly addressed. Hiring a professional formatter is advised to finalize the layout.
11. DELIVERY TO THE AUTHOR. The Editor and Author will work within the project management application, Samepage. Both parties will correspond and keep all documents within this system.
12. RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS OF THE AUTHOR. The Author shall have the right to unlimited reproduction of the work.
13. EDITOR MARKETING. It is up to the Author whether to mention the Editor’s role in the finished product. If so, the Editor shall receive credit by name in conjunction with the website address deonashleigh.com in any distributed version of the work. These distributions may occur in such places as are customary and usual within the trade for the type of work. The Author agrees to not tag the Editor on Amazon or Goodreads. This is because the Editor does not want editing projects to be displayed on their author profile.
14. AUTHOR COMMUNICATION. The Author shall provide reasonable cooperation and assistance to the Editor in preparing all materials. This includes being available for email communication regularly. At the Author’s request, short follow-up emails can be sent in lieu of in-person conferences.
15. WORK PRODUCT OWNERSHIP. The Author warrants that the materials delivered herein are the Author’s original work and that the same do not violate any copyright, trademark, or other protection of intellectual property by the Author.
16. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Editor will not, either directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose, or communicate any information that is proprietary to the Author. The Editor will protect such information and treat it as confidential. This provision shall continue to be effective after the termination of this Contract.
Upon termination of this Contract, the Editor will return to the Author all records, notes, documentation, and other items that were used, created, or controlled by the Editor during the term of this Contract.
During or after editorial services, the Editor may ask the Author’s permission to add the Author’s first name and last initial, testimonial, and book title to the Editor’s portfolio, website, and other marketing materials. The Author agrees that these details will be used by the Editor to promote their editorial services.
17. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES. Both parties understand that the Editor is an independent contractor with respect to the Author and is not an employee of the Author. The Author will not provide fringe benefits, including health insurance benefits, paid vacation, or any other employee benefits, for the Editor’s benefit.
The Editor is not an agent, publisher, joint venturer, co-author, or partner.
18. NON-EXCLUSIVITY. Neither party is held to an exclusive contract with the other. An Editor can provide the same services to other Authors. An Author can obtain editorial services from other Editors.
19. INDEMNIFICATION. The Author acknowledges the contracting of professional editing or writing services does not guarantee book sales or representation by a literary agent.
a. Editing is intrinsically a subjective process of offering advice and suggestions to the Author. In addition to offering such advice and suggestions, the Editor’s responsibility is limited to notifying the Author of any unresolved differences with the Author before the work proceeds to the next production stage.
b. While the Editor will make every effort to bring questionable material to the Author’s attention, the Author agrees to indemnify the Editor of any claims or demands. This includes legal fees arising out of any alleged libel or copyright infringement committed by the Author in creating the work.
c. The Author is responsible for avoiding any possible instances of copyright infringement, plagiarism, or violation of intellectual properties.
20. TERMINATION. This Contract will terminate upon written notice from either the Editor or the Author. Either party may terminate this Contract for any reason and at any time.
a. Upon termination, the Editor will return all of the Author’s documents and notes. Though Services may not be complete at the termination time, the Author must pay for all edited words.
b. Delays occurring because of incorrect submissions or difficulties accessing edited documents shall not be considered a breach of this Contract or grounds for Termination.
c. In the event of an unforeseen circumstance, such as war, acts of terrorism, acts of God, severe illness, invasion, fire, natural disaster, labor dispute, explosion, floods, and acts of government or governmental agencies or instrumentalities, etc., neither parties will be considered to have breached this Contract.
d. The reservation fee of $210 is non-refundable, even in the event of a termination of editorial services.
21. APPLICABLE LAW. This Contract is governed by the laws of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
22. ARBITRATION. All claims and disputes arising under or relating to this Contract are to be settled by binding arbitration in the state of Tennessee. An award of arbitration may be confirmed in a court of competent jurisdiction.
23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. In its entirety, this agreement contains the parties’ full understanding; it may only be modified by a written notice executed by the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEROF, the undersigned has caused this agreement to be executed and delivered on this __ day of ________, ____.
IMPROVE YOUR MANUSCRIPT WITH DEON ASHLEIGH
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