The policy page

Good fences make good neighbors

Yes, this is terribly boring and contract-y and sounds sort of official.  Well, not this bit.  But what follows. 

Having a clear understanding of what does and doesn’t occur, and setting both clear expectations for work and parameters for how/when the work will be done, makes it easier for us to work together.

Story Sessions/plot sessions/coaching sessions.

Sessions can be either via phone calls (for US domestic clients) or Google Meet or Zoom (for US domestic or international.)

Sessions are paid up front, prior to the call being scheduled.  If you miss a session or cancel with less than 24 hours notice, there will be a 50% cancellation fee against your banked “hours.” If you find yourself unable to make the scheduled call, please give at least twenty-four hours notice.  Anything less than that, and it is nearly impossible to book the time for another client, so I’ve instituted a 50% cancellation fee for “late cancellations” (under the twenty-four hour threshold.)

Coaching sessions are offered either a la carte (one hour) or in bundles.  There is a discount for how many hours of coaching you purchase, but all coaching hours are billed up front. Presently, I offer a max discount of 4 hours four $640 USD on regularly purchased hours.

Hours are billed in full 60 minute increments, although they can be used in half or quarter-hour increments. You need to buy at a minimum a full “hour” and the minimum you can use at a time is 15 minutes.

ALL HOURS EXPIRE ONE CALENDAR YEAR FROM PURCHASE. If you’re not sure how many you have left or when they expire, please email us.

Reading is not included in the price of coaching. If you want me to read an outline, or a partial, you need to pay the reading rate of $0.012, and give some extra time so I can read it prior to our call. Ideally, please provide reading 2 days prior.

Coaching/ Story Session Specials.

I occasionally offer a special on hours that can be used for either coaching or story sessions. These specials are usually for a discount on hours. After one year, the hours expire. Since these are offered as a special, refunds are not offered.

Editing.

I only provide developmental editing, defined as high-level story and character critique. This includes a written report and annotated manuscript. The rate for developmental editing is $0.25/word USD.  

Clients pay half of the total bill at time of scheduling, and the remainder on completion.  The editing project will be given a window of completion.

Due to sickness/accidents/force majeure/the condition of the work/backlog, this time table may slip up to two weeks, but you’ll be given warning of any delay in your project as well as given the option of working with an alternative, comparable editor in the meantime.  You will also be given the option of refund if this proves unacceptable.

I also request a 10 page writing sample prior to moving forward with any edits. If your work isn’t ready for a high-level edit, I may suggest other alternatives that might prove more helpful and less costly.  I reserve the right to refuse editing if I feel I’m not a good match for the material.

Finally, you are required to pay the remainder of the editing fee on completion, or pay the balance of amount owed via payment plan, no matter how you feel about the edit.  So far, I’ve only been burned once, which is why we’re instituting a contract so I have legal recourse.  Editing is a lot of work, and sometimes you’re going to get feedback you’d rather not hear.  That’s not an excuse to decide you don’t need to pay for my time.

Refunds are available only prior to any work being done. Please give two week’s notice if cancellation is necessary, so I can line up another client and/or readjust the queue. $50 admin fee will be charged.

Proposal critiques.

Similar to editing specials, these are paid half up front, half on completion. They will be slotted into the editing schedule, although turnaround tends to be much quicker (unless there’s a partial involved.) Because the turnaround is faster, you don’t need to give two weeks notice prior to cancellation if necessary, but no refunds are offered once work has commenced. $25 admin fee will be charged for cancellations.