Terms and Conditions

Terms of use clauses define the conditions one must accept in order to use these services. Once the site user reads this page, he or she automatically agrees to the policies laid out therein. If the user does not agree with these policies, he or she should not use this site or any services offered by this site. Please note these terms may be updated at any time. This page is always available for reference.

Please contact me if you have any questions or need any clarification regarding the process or requirements of both parties.
Page last updated August 2022.

Services Provided by www.bookeditingservices.co.uk:

1. A project is only confirmed as going ahead once I have seen the complete text to copy-edit, proofread or format; both parties have agreed the cost, time frame and an overview of service/s to be carried out; and the client has either paid a deposit or made payment in full.
2. I provide clear instructions when correcting errors or making improvements, but it is the client's responsibility whether these changes are accepted.
3. I only proofread and edit using UK English on all projects supplied to me.
4. I endeavour to provide a complete and accurate service for each project submitted to me; however, I cannot guarantee a 100% error-free document. It is the client’s responsibility to review the completed work.
5. Errors or discrepancies in the punctuation, grammar or spelling will be rectified if the client notifies me within 4 days of receipt for projects less than 5000 words or within 14 days for higher word counts. 
6. Please note that I do not carry out multiple revisions. Once the manuscript has been returned, one further revision is carried out after the author has checked the changes/amendments. The following are classed as out of scope and an hourly rate will be charged to amend/work through: Any changes to the proofread/edited text which results in further errors or discrepancies or more text to proofread/edit. Any changes to the unedited text which creates additional work to rectify. Any changes to the formatting which creates additional work to rectify. An 'Additional Work Order Form' is required to be filled out by the client and payment made before the additional work is carried out.
7. If I have provided an ebook file to the client as per the original order but the client requires an additional ebook file creating as they have made further changes to their manuscript or they have introduced errors in the ebook file that need amending, for example, an 'Additional Work Order Form' is required to be filled out by the client and payment made before the additional file is created.
8. I reserve the right to charge an additional fee or cancel my services if there is a change to the original order due to the client sending me a rewritten/reworked version to proofread/edit/format instead. This applies whether I have started work on the project or not, and if the client sends a completely new version or revised sections/parts thereof.
9. I reserve the right to decline a request for services or work that is sent to me. This may be due to a lack of availability, a manuscript that is not yet ready for my editorial services (as it requires developmental/structural editing, for example), or I do not want to take on the work. A reason in these circumstances does not have to be provided. 
10. I reserve the right to decline work containing plagiarised content, or if it is deemed obscene, inflammatory, illegal or otherwise offensive.
11. If I cannot take on a project, for whatever reason, and I have been sent a sample, part or full manuscript or anything else relating to the project, I will delete these as I do not keep documents from anyone I do not work with.
12. I do not carry out editorial services on manuscripts written by non-native English speakers/English not spoken as a first language or text translated from another language.
13. I do not carry out the formatting or insertion of photographs, images, illustrations or tables.
14. I accept no liability for any legal action arising from factual inaccuracy or defamatory information in any project I work on. I am not liable for any losses, of any kind, resulting from missed errors or any advice provided. 
15. I am not liable for any consequential, indirect or special loss/damage. I will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of any event(s) beyond my reasonable control.

Client Responsibilities:

1. The client is ultimately responsible for his or her own work. While I will endeavour to point out any particular issues, such as legalities, the client is responsible for ensuring their writing is appropriate for publication.
2. The client is ultimately responsible for the content and how it is used. I am not responsible for any changes made after I return the amended content, nor do I guarantee it will be accepted for publication, receive favourable reviews, etc.
3. I reserve the right to either change the date I will return the work or decline the project if there is a delay in the client sending through the text than originally agreed.
4. If the client supplies a sample of work for me to base my quotation on but the complete text is of a much poorer standard, I may either adjust the quote accordingly or decline the work.

After the Project is Completed:

1. All clients are required to fill in a sign-off form. Failure to return the form within 4 days of receipt for projects less than 5000 words or within 14 days for higher word counts will be regarded as acceptance of the proofread/edited/formatted project as provided.
2. I may use the client’s name and book, novella or short story in my promotional/marketing material unless the client requests otherwise.
3. I may use written testimonials, feedback or comments made by the client in my promotional/marketing material unless the client requests otherwise.
4. ​I may include a website link to my services in any work that I proofread, copy-edit or format. 
5. The client is required to ask beforehand if he or she would like to acknowledge my services in their work. Unauthorised use of my name or services in any text is prohibited.

Making Payment:
Payments can be made by the following ways:

1. Bank transfer (BACS) online/via phone/through the client’s branch.
2. PayPal account.
3. By debit card or credit card, which are processed securely via PayPal (no account needed).
4. Payment is required in advance of the work commencing and within 48 hours of receiving the payment request or invoice.
5. Although I only accept material in English, payment is accepted if the client lives outside the UK; but all payments are required in UK sterling, otherwise a 4% charge is applied in this instance.

Cancellation Policy:

1. If an order has been placed but work hasn't commenced, I reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee equivalent to 25% of the full cost or minimum charge of £50.
2. If the client experiences an unexpected difficulty or force majeure that results in a delay or cancellation of payment, please contact me in the first instance to discuss how to proceed.
3. If I experience an unexpected difficulty or force majeure that results in a delay in commencement of the work or progress, I will contact the client in the first instance to discuss an amended timeframe or offer to find an alternative editorial service.

Further Information on Service Charges:

1. There is a minimum charge of £50 for all services.
2. Once the Tracked Changes and Final versions have been returned, and then the client requires additional work to be carried out (see items 5, 6 and 7 in the 'Services Provided' section at the top of this page), there is a charge of £25 per hour to carry out the additional work, with a minimum charge of £25.
3. A request with an urgent deadline or short turnaround time that covers evenings/weekends/bank holidays are charged at a higher rate and will be advised on an individual basis.
4. I may request a non-refundable 25% deposit to secure services booked in advance (minimum deposit charge is £50), which is required within 48 hours of the client receiving the payment request or invoice.
5. If the client pays a deposit fee but I haven't received the final manuscript to work on within 6 months from the deposit payment date, I reserve the right not to carry out the work, and the deposit will not be refunded as it's a non-refundable payment as per number 4 above.
6. I am not VAT registered and don't charge VAT for my editorial services.