I assume that you have already reviewed my credentials. Below are a few more things you'd probably like to know about my services and policies. :)
I've noticed that other freelance editors charge by the hour or by the page. However, charging by the hour leaves too much room for dishonesty (as clients cannot monitor their editors' hours), and charging by the page ignores variations in font and spacing. Therefore, I currently charge by the word -- usually around 3 cents -- which can be negotiable. I always make sure prices correspond fairly to the amount of proofreading and editing required: if your piece is short and/or already polished, my services will cost considerably less! I will provide you with an estimate and tentative schedule after reviewing your manuscript (or a sample of it) for myself. Keep in mind that you may incur additional fees if you require me to copy, print, fax, or mail any documents. (The postage for the initial contract is free, however.)
Complete payment of all fees must be rendered before I return your edited manuscript to you.
Full payment is not required in advance, but I do ask that the entire amount be paid before I return your edited manuscript to you. Payment plans can be established on an individual basis: whether paying weekly, biweekly, monthly, or bimonthly is best for you, I'm OK with it! :) Money orders, PayPal, and personal checks are welcome, but checks must be given time to clear. A detailed receipt/invoice will accompany your edited manuscript.
EXPECTATIONS
In addition to arrangements regarding my fees, I have a few guidelines I'd like my clients to follow in order to streamline the process and keep things affordable. These simple steps are more for your convenience than for mine. Additionally, you can (and should) expect several things from me from the very beginning, not the least of which is high-quality editing.
I expect.... I began my freelance career by posting my telephone number to a few professional websites; I erred in assuming they were secure. After receiving several prank calls and changing my telephone number, I decided to avoid telephone contact altogether -- at least for now. I hope to acquire another phone line in the near future, but until then I must regrettably request that no potential clients attempt to contact me by phone. I feel that I am taking a bit of a risk by putting my information on the Internet, and am reluctant to provide more information than necessary. I think you'll find that e-mail and instant messaging programs can be just as efficient as telephone communication.
You may expect.... Despite my telephone restrictions, you may contact me at any time via e-mail, Yahoo! Messenger, or by posting a comment to my blog. (I may also try an instant messaging program of your choice, if you'd rather not use Yahoo! Messenger.) I check all of these several times every day, and am always quick to respond. (Remember to always let me know how I can contact you!) If you don't mind slower means of communication, you may also send correspondence to my mailing address:
Jennifer Kennedy
P.O. Box 1473
Richmond, KY 40476
U.S.A.
I expect.... It is much quicker, cheaper, and more environmentally responsible to exchange manuscripts electronically (via e-mail, or via "snail mail" on disk, CD, or flash drive). This is my preference, as it allows all parties some extra flexibility, and permits me to offer my proofreading and editing services at very low cost. Please remember that electronic manuscripts must be in Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, EditPad, or Notepad: these are the only word processing programs I currently use.
You may expect.... I am also more than willing to accomodate your preferences. If you'd rather ship a hard copy of your manuscript to me, feel free to do so! My mailing address is provided for that very reason. Before shipping a hard copy to me, however, please contact me to be sure I have no previous engagements. I certainly don't want any hard-working writers to spend a second or a penny more than they must! I return your manuscript to you in whatever format you prefer; I normally return it in duplicate: you will receive the "mark-up" bearing all my notes, and/or a copy in which my edits have been implemented, so you can see them in their natural habitat. :) Remember that photocopying and shipping will cost extra.
I expect.... I must see your manuscript -- or at least a one- or two-page sample of it -- before I can decide whether I'm able to devote an appropriate amount of time to proofreading and editing it.
You may expect.... Viewing your manuscript (or a sample) in advance of establishing a contractual agreement helps me determine a fair price, and ensures that your work receives the attention it deserves. I'm sure neither of us wants to enter into an agreement resulting in rushed and/or shoddy work! Our success hinges upon the quality of your manuscript, and I intend to do my absolute best at all times.
I expect.... I should never be kept ignorant of anything that may be relevant to your manuscript or your ambitions. If you plan to send your work to a specific publisher, for example, please tell me about their submission guidelines. I'll get in touch with them if necessary, and make sure you conform to their requirements, thereby increasing your chances of publishing with the medium of your choice. There may be times when it would be a good idea to have me send the manuscript on your behalf, in which case I would need all the pertinent details.
You may expect.... I accept all forms of prose from anywhere in the world, as long as the manuscript is complete (or nearly complete) and in English. I'm open to pretty much anything and have ample experience with most forms of writing, though you should be aware that my strengths are in fiction (particularly fantasy, sci-fi, and horror) as well as academic writing. I am qualified to proofread your manuscript for typos, grammatical and spelling errors, punctuation, style (if applicable), cliches, clarity, redundancy, consistency, accuracy, readability (particularly if you have in mind a particular audience), plot development and pace, and I can help with cover letters, abstracts, synopses, proposals, et cetera. I am well-versed in MLA and APA styles, and have these handbooks and several dictionaries -- including the New Oxford American Dictionary and more traditional Oxford English Dictionary -- at my disposal should detail questions arise.
I expect.... Hoping to relieve everyone's anxiety, I require all parties (myself included) to sign a legally binding contract reflecting agreed-upon pricing and procedures. This contract stipulates that I am your only editor during the proofreading and editing process. You may seek a "second opinion" from another professional after I've fulfilled my duties, but you may not do so during my allotted schedule. I understand that some writers prefer to receive multiple simultaneous opinions on their work, but I've found this to actually impede progress.
You may expect.... Every contract, without exception, demands that all pieces submitted to me remain confidential indefinitely. I will never speak to any third parties about your work at all, even once it has been widely published, unless you give me permission. You reserve the right to refuse my services if the contracts do not meet with your approval. Ultimately, I submit to your authority and the primacy of your work, which is why I strive to make sure your voice emerges clearly in all your writing. Always remember that I am your employee; you are my boss.
I expect.... Naturally, I understand that writers are often anxious about their work, and eager to complete the editing and publication process. (For some it's like removing a Band-Aid -- quick and painless is the way to go!) However, I ask all my clients to understand that I am engaged in a process of my own: proofreading and editing is long and slow, sometimes even tedious, and demands patience from everyone involved. I know that you've worked hard to complete your manuscript, and you may think of it as your "baby." I've experienced all these feelings first-hand! This empathy is just another characteristic that makes me an excellent editor. I know how you feel, what your general goals are, and what needs to be done in order to achieve those goals.
You may expect.... You have every right to know how the proofreading and editing process is coming along. Feel free to contact me at any time to ask. I never get annoyed; I actually find it encouraging that writers are so involved with their work that they like to have frequent updates. (Try getting that from a publisher-employed editor!) I'm happy to send progress reports, but I will reserve detailed commentary until the end, when I return your manuscript. I am also perfectly happy to have no contact whatsoever with writers. Whatever you prefer, consider it done. :)
MORE ABOUT ME
I believe my education, independent study, and my personal background as a multi-racial and multi-cultural native Appalachian combine to give me a unique perspective. My familiarity with Standard and non-Standard English -- which may be considered a form of bilingualism -- helps me to appreciate both qualities in literature; my interest in and experience with a variety of other subjects (like theology and science) allow me to comment knowledgeably on manuscripts that deal with those subjects. Aiding writers with dialogue, to make it seem more realistic, is one of my greatest strengths. Growing up in a stigmatized part of America where poor and affluent neighborhoods overlap, and where dialect can differ subtly from county to county -- or even street to street -- has given me much to contribute, including a healthy blend of casual and formal style. My versatility and adaptability are my best professional assets. I hope you'll find my talents and skills as helpful as I have, and I certainly look forward to working with you.
Thanks again for taking the time to review my site!
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