I’ve looked through your list of services and I’m not sure which one I need. What should I do?

Just drop me an email stating what it is you need an editor to help you with, and I can create a bespoke proposal to meet your needs. Every project is individual, and I do many forms of work outside those that are listed on my services page.

I just want to talk to someone about my options, but find it all a bit intimidating at the start. Can you help?

This situation is surprisingly common, and is why I have I have added a new service, Publishing industry demystified, for budding writers to understand a bit more about the nuts and bolts of both the industry and the book-production process.

I would like to work with an editor, but the content of my work needs to stay confidential. Would you work under an NDA?

Yes. This is not an uncommon request, and at any given time I can be working under multiple NDAs. So if you’d feel more relaxed if I sign an NDA – whether it's due to reputational risk, or simply for added peace of mind – I am happy to do so, and can even draft the NDA at my end.

Is working with an editor a guarantee to getting published or landing an agent?

No, and I would gently urge you to beware of any editor saying it will. You are not paying for a back door into the publishing industry: only for a professional editor to take the time, care and effort to make your book better.

Do you charge a fixed fee, or by the hour?

With some services, such as editorial assessments and structural edits, I am able to estimate the time taken and so I typically quote a total price. Though other services, like copyedits and proofreads, are much harder to standardise and estimate, and so in such instances I charge an hourly rate.

Do you need my finished manuscript/text in order to start editing?

Not necessarily; I work however you’d like me to work. If you'd rather send me your book chapter by chapter, it's not a problem.

Do you work with US English?

Yes, I am very experienced with this and work with it almost as much as I do UK English.

What are your payment terms?

I take a 50% deposit on agreement and the remaining 50% upon completion. This is aligned to industry standards.

I do not live in the UK. Can I pay in my native currency?

Although I prefer payment in GBP wherever possible, this is not a dealbreaker. I use the Stripe platform for payments made in all other currencies. It's quick and simple and I handle it all myself, incurring you no extra admin at your end. Although it does charge a processing fee of roughly 3%.

Is there anything it’s worth me having at hand before I get in touch with you?

Some of the first things I will ask you will likely concern your deadline, your total word count and your aspirations for your work. So it may be beneficial to look at and consider these aspects prior to getting in touch.

Can I choose the format that my feedback comes in?

Some people love a written editorial document that they can keep returning to; some people benefit most from having an interactive face-to-face conversation over Zoom; some, I find, want a bit of both. I can provide feedback in whichever way your personal preference dictates.

Can you send me an example of an editorial assessment/developmental edit/copyedit you have done previously?

Unfortunately, I'm unable to share previous clients' work due to confidentiality.

Are a copyedit or a proofread a guarantee to remove absolutely every error that my manuscript contains?

No, as there is always a degree of human fallibility at play. As much as I strive to find and correct every single error that I can.

Do you take on every project that comes your way?

No, but I will consider a sample of anything sent to me. I reserve the right to only work on whatever I choose to. Equally, I sometimes also turn down work if I don't think its undertaking is in the author and the work's best interest. (For instance, if you had an edited text that you were planning to get traditionally published, I would advise you against paying to have your text copyedited before submitting it to an agent, and would point out that this stage is not really required at this juncture, and is indeed provided by publishing houses further down the line.)

Do you do social media shout-outs for your clients?

No, I don’t. I have to follow the rule that, because I can’t do it for everyone, I do it for no one.

Do you do free sample edits?

No, but I will gladly provide paid sample edits.

Do you edit things other than books?

Absolutely. My experience covers digital media, academic materials, marketing collateral and business development materials.