Frequently Asked Questions
How does the process of working with Bookwyrm typically begin?
Within two business days of receiving your inquiry, I'll reach out to schedule a free 15-minute discovery call. During this conversation, we'll go over your project needs, budget, and timeline to determine if Bookwyrm is a good fit for you and your work. We'll also discuss any style guide you may have; I may ask you to fill out a preference sheet so I can ensure I meet your required specifications.
What happens after our initial discussion?
After the free 15-minute discovery call, I'll draft a proposal and contract - outlining the payment terms and expected timeline - for your review and signature. For any follow-up questions or comments, we can continue to communicate via email, text, or call, depending on your preference. Once you sign the contract and provide me a copy of your document, I'll begin proofreading or editing it.
What are your payment terms?
For initial clients, an upfront deposit of 25% is required before work begins. For returning clients, no deposit is required. If a project is long (e.g. over three weeks), payment milestones may also be required, but this would be established in advance.
What is your refund or cancellation policy?
If you cancel before work has begun, any deposit will be refunded to you in full. If work has already commenced, you will be responsible for the non-refundable deposit plus payment for all work completed up to the point of cancellation, calculated at our agreed-upon rate. I'll provide an invoice for any outstanding balance.
If you need to reschedule your project, please notify me as soon as possible. I will do our best to accommodate your new timeline, and your deposit can typically be applied to the rescheduled project, provided sufficient notice is given.
What payment methods do you accept?
To ensure convenient payment, I accept secure payments directly through your invoice via debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), Cash App Pay, and bank transfer (ACH). Please note that credit/debit card payments processed through Stripe may incur an additional fee. For direct payments, I also accept PayPal or Venmo, and we can arrange wire transfers for larger projects. All details will be on your invoice and in our project agreement.
Do you charge for late payments?
Invoices are due upon receipt or by the specified due date outlined in your project agreement, usually 14 days. A late fee of 10% of the outstanding balance will be applied to invoices that remain unpaid after the due date. If you anticipate any issues with payment, please communicate with me as soon as possible. I'm always willing to discuss solutions, but clear communication upfront is key.
How do you protect my confidential documents and information?
If I'm working on a cloud-based document, I only do so on my private, password-protected home Wi-Fi. If I'm working on an on-premise save file, I keep it on an external hard drive until the work is complete. After completing a contract and ensuring you've received your newly proofread or edited document, I will remove or delete any file associated with the project. Protecting your intellectual property is important to me, too!
What document formats do you accept for projects?
Bookwyrm operates using Google Docs or Microsoft Word. If you want to collaborate in real-time, I'd recommend using Google Docs. In Word, I may still leave comments to prompt additional discussion. In both systems, I utilize the Track Changes feature so you can see exactly what changes I make to your project.
What is the best way to communicate with you during a project?
For most project-related discussions, feedback, and formal questions, emailing contact@bookwyrmedits.com is generally the best method, as it creates a clear written record that I can refer back to later, if need be. For urgent matters or quick check-ins, you're welcome to call or text me at +1 (480) 530-9199.
Do you offer any support or follow-up after the project is complete?
As part of the included round(s) of revisions, I'm happy to answer any clarifying questions you may have in response to my corrections or edits. Additional review would fall outside the scope of my reply.
However, if I've made an error (e.g., missed a glaring typo, misinterpreted an instruction, etc.) in the original review, correcting my error is always free.
How many revisions are included in my project fee?
For proofreading, a single round of revisions will be sent to you to fulfill the contract; note that this does, however, include multiple passes or reviews. You'll receive the most correct version I can provide to you, and I'll be happy to answer any clarifying questions you may have in response to my corrections.
For line editing, I include two rounds of revisions. This means I'll do my comprehensive review, provide you the edited copy, and you review it for any comments or concerns - and then we repeat that process one more time.
Because developmental editing is much more iterative, we'll work less in "rounds" and more in an ongoing dialogue to shape your manuscript. The initial fee covers a thorough manuscript evaluation and a detailed editorial letter.
Do your editing services include fact-checking, content creation, or formatting for publication?
To provide the most focused and effective service, I specialize in enhancing your existing prose. I'll include light fact-checking as part of my line editing service, flagging any obvious inaccuracies or inconsistencies. However, comprehensive, in-depth fact-checking requires specialized research, which falls outside the scope of my services.
During developmental editing, I may identify a missing piece of content crucial for your manuscript's success. Should this occur, I'll provide actionable advice about the missing content and how you might address it; but I will not create the content myself. Your voice is what your readers want to hear.
Lastly, I do not provide final formatting for publication (e.g., typesetting for print, e-book conversion, or complex layout design). These tasks require specific design and publishing software and are best left to professional book designers or formatters.
What if I need additional revisions beyond what's included?
Should you require additional revisions beyond the included round(s), I'm happy to continue refining your document. These further revisions will be billed at my standard hourly rate. We'll always discuss the scope of these extra changes and provide an estimate for your approval before commencing any additional work.
Please note: additional revisions do not include substantial rewrites, adding significant new content, or changes that fundamentally alter the project's original scope. These would constitute a new project or a separate "change order."
Are there any specific formatting requirements for submitting my manuscript?
To ensure the most efficient and accurate review process possible, kindly submit manuscripts with the below general formatting. Following these guidelines will help me focus on your content and ensure I don't miss any details.
Standard 12pt font, such as Times New Roman or Arial.
Standard 1-inch margins on all sides.
Numbered pages, typically in the top right corner.
If applicable, please use a consistent heading style (e.g., Heading 1, Heading 2) throughout the document.
How quickly can I expect a response to my inquiries?
I strive to respond to all communication - via email, call, or text - within two business days. I'll usually reply or respond in the evening, from 4 pm to 8 pm Mountain Standard Time. If you would like to chat outside of those hours, I'll be happy to schedule that with you in advance.
What happens if my project's scope changes after we've started?
Should your project needs evolve or expand beyond the initial scope, I'll work closely with you to understand the new requirements and then assess how these changes affect the original timeline and budget, providing a transparent proposal for the revised work. I'll always seek your approval before incorporating any changes that impact the original terms.