Q: What size jobs do you prefer?

A: I prefer smaller jobs (fewer than 30 pages). I have many clients who rely on my being able to turn a job around quickly. If I were to accept a larger one, which would tie me up for days perhaps, I would be denying my most loyal clients my time. Besides, I like “quick fixes”; they allow me to scratch things off my to-do list!

Q: How much notice do you need that a job is coming?

A: I ask each of my clients to contact me (via phone or e-mail) at least three business days before a job will arrive on my desk. As I get to know you and your writing style better, that may change.

Q: How fast can you turn a job around?

A: That depends on many things.

I generally work on a first-come, first-served basis, but I also try to work within my clients’ deadlines; I accommodate as much as I can. If you’ve given me the luxury of a longer deadline, I may rush someone else’s job ahead of yours, as long as I can deliver both on time.

Many other variables also determine turnaround times: the length of the job, the number of facts or spellings I must verify, how well-written or poorly written the job is, etc. If I simply can’t return your job by the deadline you’ve requested, I’ll call you as early in the process as possible to inform you of that fact. At that time, we will decide whether I should proceed with the job.

A client example: For one of my longtime clients, I read a monthly, 12- to 16-page newsletter. He calls me about four days in advance to announce the drop-off date and time (usually 5 p.m.), and I turn the job around overnight. (Keep in mind that I am very familiar with the writer’s style and the company standards, and I have much of the company’s reference material at my location, including a connection to the company intranet.)

Q: How do you prefer to get and read the copy – on screen, on paper, via e-mail, via the Internet?

A: In these days of electronic everything and needing the job yesterday, most of my clients send me their jobs electronically: unformatted copy in a Word (2000 or older) document or formatted copy in a PDF.

I always edit on paper, and I try to allow enough time to edit the job twice – once to look for details, and once to read for overall content – before returning it.

Q: How will I receive the job after it is edited?

A: After I mark up the hard copy, with a red pen and possibly highlighters, I can return the corrections to you in several ways: 

• If the job is short or the corrections are few, I will call you, and we’ll go over the changes on the phone. (This is what I prefer to do.)
   
• If going over the changes on the phone would be too cumbersome or time-consuming, I’ll put the pages in the mail to you (so please allow the extra two days for delivery), at your expense. If you are local, I can use your company’s delivery service (you’ll have to provide me the number). 
   
• As a last resort, I’ll fax the pages back. Be aware, though, that fax machines can’t always interpret the marks I make – sometimes my writing has to be so small, the marks aren’t readable on the receiver’s end.
   
• Some of my clients have asked me to make the corrections electronically. I’m not a fan of this method (although I’ll do it), and it costs the client double – once for me to edit the printed pages; then again to make the changes electronically.

Q: How much do you charge, and how will I be billed?

A: My fee is $45 an hour plus expenses, such as delivery charges if I had to pay them initially. And I bill a minimum of one hour (so put small jobs together, if possible).

Soon after I get your job back to you, I’ll send an invoice – either by mail or electronically, whichever you prefer. Please note: You can accept my editing changes, or not – that choice is completely yours – but you will be expected to pay the invoice.

Q: Do you read a job a second time – to make sure all changes were made correctly, or to ensure I didn’t miss one of your suggestions or make a subsequent mistake?

A: This is called “reading corrections,” which is an important step in a thorough editing process, so the answer is: Yes, I do.

After you make the changes I marked on the original, you would print the new version and send it to me. I would then compare it to the marked-up copy and make sure nothing was missed. If time allows, I will reread the job completely. (Reading corrections will also be billed per hour.)

In an ideal world, I would read the job until no more changes were needed – often more than twice. But in this world that moves so fast, clients don’t always have the time to let me edit the job even a second time – it’s all about cost vs. quality, and it’s completely your decision.

Q: What reference materials do you use?

A: My dictionary of choice is Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. The two style guides I use are The Associated Press Stylebook, and The Gregg Reference Manual. If you want me to follow a particular reference guide, please indicate that when you call to arrange for your job to be edited – you may or may not have to provide that resource. If it’s a resource with which I am not familiar, your job may take me a little longer.

Q: What is your take on the argument about changing punctuation on websites to “smart” characters?

A: Discussion continues between website developers and editors about the use of correct punctuation on websites. 

Editors contend that quote marks are not inch marks, apostrophes are not foot marks, and dashes are not hyphens, and that the respective pairs cannot be interchanged. 

Website developers argue that many older browsers/servers cannot interpret smart characters, like quote marks, and that it’s too much trouble to correct punctuation. 

I prefer smart characters, but since no correct answer exists, I mark the copy as my customers prefer. Be sure to indicate your preference up front, so I can keep your decision consistent throughout your website.

Q: If I have grammar, punctuation or fact-verifying questions, may I contact you for answers?

A: I welcome questions – from clients and non-clients alike – and I do my best to find answers. If I believe finding the answer may monopolize my time, I will suggest other sources that may be able to help you. There is no charge for this service.

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