Service guarantee

• I am a professional. I am committed to excellence in the work that I do, and the timeliness of that work.
• My business is built on my integrity. I will treat your documents with confidentiality, and if you require me to sign your confidentiality agreement, I will do so.
• Repeat business is my goal. Please contact me if you would like to set up an account.
  

Definitions

Copy-editing is defined as enhancing the writing to ensure the target audience receives the intended message in the style that is required and fit for purpose.
This includes checking and correcting:

• Correct sentence and paragraph structure and phrasing - Errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, style and usage.
• Consistency and appropriateness of language – i.e. appropriate for the target audience.
• Accuracy –misquotations, factual errors, misspelled names, misused words, numbers that don't add up, incomplete references, and URL links that don’t work.
• Legal issues –instances of plagiarism or breach of copyright, libel, obscenity, incitement to racial hatred.

Copy-editing does not include extensive rewriting of the document.

Proofreading is defined as correcting mistakes to ensure that there are no errors that could detract from the published work, and that the work looks polished and professional. It is usually the final step before publishing. Proofreading includes checking and correcting:

• Spelling. 
• Punctuation. 
• Grammar.
• Typographical errors. 
• Overall consistency. 
• Formatting.

 I ensure that you retain control over your document by:

• using your style manual (if available).
• preserving your 'voice'.
• checking with you before making big changes.
• using tracked changes so that you can accept (or reject) each change.
• using margin comments to explain changes or decisions on style or usage that you will need to make.
• Note: for academic documents, my work will be carried out in full compliance with your university’s rules relating to third-party editing.

Quotations

I generally provide quotations on all work based on a sample of the document, or the whole document, being provided.

I will agree with you a method of payment that is appropriate for the type of work: hourly rate, per thousand words, or a fixed fee.

If you ask for changes to my service after I've started work, there will usually be a charge for any additional work. A revised quotation and completion date will be negotiated.

Payments policy

With the exception of student dissertations and theses, and other larger documents, payment is required prior to my commencing work.

Partial payment (50% of the fee) is required prior to my starting work on larger documents, with the remainder to be paid once review of the first half is completed.

For repeat customers who wish to establish an account with me, specific payment terms will be agreed.

You can pay via international money transfer, or by bank transfer if you are based in New Zealand.

Contracts

An email conversation containing: (1) my quotation, and (2) your acceptance of that quotation, will serve as the contract between you and me.

Complaints

If you have any concerns, please advise me immediately and I will address them as quickly as possible.

Limitation of liability

I provide my services in good faith to improve the quality of my clients’ writing. While I aim for perfection, I can only guarantee my effort and professionalism.

Although I will generally do some fact-checking when I copy-edit a document, even if I am asked specifically to check every fact claim, the author is still ultimately responsible for the accuracy of information, and any omissions and errors in that document.

If you have any doubts about the content or legality of your publication, I recommend that you obtain legal advice. While I may identify potential legal or ethical issues – and I will bring them to your attention if I do – I am not responsible for the content or legality of your publication.