Thank you for using Writer Therapy LLC editing and story analysis services. These Terms of Use explain important information applicable to our relationship, so please read carefully before contracting services. Clear communication is key to a successful business relationship. This page confirms the terms of our collaboration and the nature and extent of the services we will provide. By submitting your deposit, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.
Our Responsibilities
We will perform the following service(s):
First Chapter Edit
A review to help strengthen your first chapter (up to 30 pages) by evaluating your hook, paragraph, and overall structure, as well as evaluating both story and writing craft elements. You will receive an editorial letter as well as in-document notes.
50-Page Reader Assessment
An in-depth evaluation of the first 50 pages (up to 15,000 words) of the full manuscript and the synopsis (10-20 pages). You will receive an editorial letter (at least 5 pages long) giving feedback on the 50 pages and plot outline, as well as in-document notes for the first 50 pages. This service comes with a 1-hour consultation where we can further develop the story and have your questions answered.
This edit will review:
- The first 50 pages, ending at a chapter break (up to 15,000 words)
- Manuscript Outline (10-20 pages)
Reader Report
A light manuscript evaluation touching on plot, characters, and setting. Think of it like a book review that helps you evaluate the overall state of your manuscript. You will receive an editorial letter (at least 5 pages long) covering those three areas of your manuscript.
Developmental Edit
An in-depth manuscript evaluation that also details the why behind the weaknesses. This edit helps develop your book, whether it is still a concept or a fully realized final draft. This is a major reconstruction of your book to help clarify concepts, improve characterization, plot and pacing, elevate the overall craft of the writing, and improve accuracy. You will receive an editorial letter (at least 25 pages long) detailing all aspects of your manuscript and in-document notes.
Line Edit
An edit focusing on sentence structure and other details at the line level, elevating the overall prose of the manuscript. You will receive in-document notes.
Manuscript Reassessment
A reevaluation of the manuscript. This service is to assess your revision of the manuscript based on previous feedback by the Editor. You will receive an editorial letter (at least 5 pages long) detailing all aspects of your manuscript, both good and bad, with feedback to help further revise the manuscript to meet the targeted goals.
All editing will be done using tracked changes in a Word document. The edit will begin on the Start Date, and will conclude on the End Date. The edit will be sent to the Client on the End Date and within 24 hours of receipt of the final payment. Offered dates are not final or binding until Writer Therapy LLC has received the Calendar Deposit as outlined under the section Fees and Deadlines. Our responsibilities do not include any additional services than those listed in the Engagement Letter. Manuscript coding is not included as one of our responsibilities. We will complete the edit requested using the information the Client provides to us. Although we may ask the Client for clarification of certain items, we will not be verifying any information they submit, such as fact-checking non-fiction works, without including an additional fee for our services. The Editor is not responsible for any copyright infringement or legal action taken against the Client by copyright holders. The Client agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Editor from any and all claims or demands, including legal fees, arising out of any alleged libel or copyright infringement committed by the Author or Client in creating the work. By using our editing services, the Client is agreeing that we may refer to the book in our client portfolio. Furthermore, the Client is agreeing that we may use up to fifty pages as an editing sample for future clients to review, and it may be used for educational purposes.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein, both Editor and Client agree that regardless of where the Client is domiciled and regardless of where the Engagement Letter or Agreement is physically or electronically signed, the signed Agreement shall have been deemed to have been entered into our Editor’s office located in Utah County, Utah, USA, and Utah County, Utah, USA, shall be the exclusive jurisdiction for resolving disputes related to the Agreement. The Agreement shall be interpreted and governed in accordance with the Laws of Utah.
If the Client is interested in further services after the conclusion of this collaboration, the Client can submit another project request. This would be a separate collaboration from the current collaboration and subject to additional fees per agreement for that collaboration.
Manuscript Format
The Client must submit a finalized manuscript on, or before, the Start Date listed. This manuscript will be considered the final manuscript to be edited. Any and all changes the Client wishes to make to the manuscript must be finalized by that date, unless prior agreement has been obtained in writing from the Editor. Any changes after that date will not be read; or, at the Client’s written request, will be charged an additional reading fee of $200.00 plus a $0.04 per word rate for each additional word submitted.
The Client will provide a manuscript via Microsoft Word. The document must be formatted to industry standards of 12-inch font, Times New Roman, and 1-inch margins; a header with manuscript title, author name, and page count is required. For an example, refer to this link. If the manuscript is not submitted in Manuscript Format, the manuscript will be returned for the Client to reformat accordingly. We are willing to make the necessary manuscript formatting changes on behalf of the Client for an additional $75.00 fee.
Communications
With this collaboration, the Editor may communicate with the Client via email, video conferencing and/or phone call.
Fees and Deadlines
A non-refundable Calendar Deposit of $500 is due upon scheduling the service. This deposit will contribute to the total payment due. The remainder of the service payment will be split, with 50% due on the Client’s Start Date, and the final fee of the remaining 50% due on the Client’s End Date. The Calendar Fee and Start Date payment count as a 50% project deposit and are non-refundable. A detailed invoice can be provided for business and/or tax purposes.
The total fee will be in US dollars and split as follows:
Calendar Deposit:
$500
due upon signing
Start date Payment:
$HALF
due on Start Date
End date Payment:
$HALF
due on End Date
A payment plan can be offered to break the service fee into smaller payments. After the edit is completed, the manuscript will be returned to the Client on the appointed End Date as long as the final payment has cleared.
A $400 late fee will be paid by the Client and added to the total fee if the manuscript arrives on a date later than the Start Date specified in the Engagement Letter, unless advance notice is given in writing at least seven (7) days before the Start Date. If the Client has renegotiated the Start Date, the ending date may also be changed without any penalty to the Editor. If the Client is late with any payment and the edit is withheld until payment is received, no penalty will be charged to the Editor.
If any deadlines need to be adjusted, arrangements can easily be made.
Cancelation
The Client may cancel the project up to the Start Date without penalty; however, the calendar deposit is nonrefundable. Notice of cancellation must be sent in writing to the Editor via email to office (at) storycone (dot) com. In the event that the Client cancels the service on or after the Start Date, the Client shall be liable to pay the full deposit as noted above.
Payment Terms
Payment can be made via check or credit card. Once the Start Date payment is received, the edit will commence. The edit will be returned upon receipt of the final End Date payment.
Consultation Terms
SCHEDULING
You can schedule your consultation through Calendly. Consultations may take place via phone, Zoom, or at our office.
PREPARATION
Please send a list of questions or topics you want to review during our consultation. If you can send this at least 1 week before your consultation (Friday at the latest), that will allow the Editor time to adequately prepare for the discussion.
READING FEE
Any additional materials that you would like to have reviewed for your consultation, including revised chapters or synopsis, will be subject to a reading fee of $150 per 10 pages. This fee can be added to the collaboration at the request of the client. The exception is if you have been assigned homework. However, if you are interested, you can have your work read (with a live edit) during your consultation time. Please note: at least one week is needed for anything that needs to be read and reviewed in advance of the consultation.
RESCHEDULING
After you schedule your consultation, you can quickly reschedule it using the link in the confirmation email sent upon scheduling your original appointment. If you don’t feel ready to meet and want more time, or if the time becomes inconvenient, feel free to reschedule as needed.
The consultation starts and ends promptly on the hour. If you are late, there is a 5-minute grace period before asking you to reschedule.
CANCELATION
Cancelations for paid consultations will not be refunded but may be rescheduled.
CONSULTATIONS INCLUDED WITH AN EDITING SERVICE.
EXPIRATION
Consultation time included with an edit must fall within four months of the End Date, and unused consultation time will not be compensated. If a consultation is not scheduled within the four-month deadline, then the collaboration will be considered complete.
HOMEWORK
For any homework that has been assigned, please send it at least 1-week before your consultation to allow the time necessary to review the materials. Please save all documents sent with your LAST NAME at the beginning and the current date (EX: Rowling_Title of Doc_06142023) at the end. You can title the document as you see fit, but this will help keep the documents organized in your file. Make sure all documents have page numbers in the footer and your last name in the header.
Reading Fee
Any additional materials you would like to have reviewed beyond the terms of your service, including a revised synopsis or chapters, will be subject to a reading fee of $150 per 10 pages. This fee can be added to the collaboration at the request of the client. The exception is if you have been assigned homework by your editor. Please note: at least one full week is needed before the consultation for anything that must be read and reviewed.
Retainer Fee
Should you choose the retainer fee option, the Company’s fees for services will depend on the amount of time spent on services rendered. The current rates at Writer Therapy, which are subject to yearly increases, are as follows:
Editing and Analyst Services:
Chersti Nieveen
$150
Tanner Perkes
$100
Andraea Jones
$75
Ben Stapley
$40
Note: Average of 20-30 pgs/ hour for Developmental Editing and 5-20 pgs/hour for Line Editing. This does not include writing up notes, editorial letter, overview email, etc.
Other project service fees will be according to the Writer Therapy Pricing Sheet.
Clients who have contracted one of our editors through Reedsy also agree to the Reedsy Terms of Use.
We appreciate your confidence in us. Please contact us if you have questions.