How does the process usually work?
We will begin with a conversation about your project and what you think you need. You will fill out a brief survey to help us determine if we are a good fit. Some where in the beginning phases, I will provide a sample edit so you can see my work, and so I can verify what type of editing it needs. If we decide to move forward, we will agree on terms, and I will send you a contract. You will make a 50% deposit to reserve services. Once I begin working, I will have the product finished within the agreed-upon length of time, usually 1-2 weeks (rush orders are available for an additional fee). After paying the remaining balance of the agreed-upon fee, you will receive your manuscript back. We will stay in touch as needed as you have questions or need clarifications. If this starts straying into coaching or further editing, new terms will be established for a second round of services.
What if I don't know what kind of editing I need?
No problem! That’s very common. In that case, when I do your sample edit, I will give you my professional opinion on what type of editing you need. You can read over the descriptions I have on my “Services & Rates” page for a general idea of the different types of editing.
What types of payment do you accept?
I am able to accept payment through Venmo, PayPal, check, or money order. However, whatever payment type you use must “clear” before anything moves forward, so the process can take much longer if I am waiting for a check to come in the mail.
What types of writing will you edit?
The only things I absolutely will not accept are works that contain graphic materials such as sex, nudity, gore, etc. If you aren’t sure if what you have constitutes “graphic” in my opinion, we can discuss it and/or I can take a look at a sample scene.
Basically, I am a PG-13 or lower kind of girl. If a freshman in high school wouldn’t be able to buy a ticket to a movie based on your work, it’s not for me.
In terms of genre, my preferred genres are romance and historical fiction, but I have also worked with non-fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, suspense, and more.
What if I have special spellings or terms that aren't "conventional"?
When necessary, we will create a style sheet for me to use for your manuscript. With this, I can make sure I know any unique character names, locations, etc. (This is commonly necessary for fantasy and sci-fi because you are building worlds that don’t exist and therefore don’t have a section in the Chicago Manual of Style or the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.) This will also be used if you have preferences such as wanting to use spellings for a certain country or time period. Anything particular will be noted on the style sheet, and I will edit with that information in mind.
How do you decide what edits need to be made?
I edit based on what is technically correct according to the laws of English spelling and grammar. I specifically use the Chicago Manual of Style and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. I will mark what is “correct” based on those standards for the most part, but I am also aware of what is expected and allowed in fiction, so some of my edits will also make recommendations based on what publisher’s prefer (such as avoiding excessive adverbs and “weak words”).
You as the author will have the freedom to ignore any of the edits that don’t suit your prose.
For example, this sentence is grammatically correct: “She gazed into his eyes, and all she saw there was loneliness and despair.”
But you may want to add a pause for emphasis: “She gazed into his eyes, and all she saw there was loneliness, and despair.” I would make a mark to indicate that the last comma should be removed. You can simply “reject” that edit and go along your merry way.
Lilac Author Services 