Q: What types of work do you do?
A: Several years of experience have built on my communications background. My primary experience is in copy editing non-fiction books and short articles. If there is a story element to your work, such as the Modern Parable approach of The On-Purpose Person, I do work with that. My interests lean toward business, history, and music, so my background there makes me a great asset if this is your field of expertise.
I also proofread marketing materials, looking at font and layout consistency, confirming that the information given to the graphic designer has accurately made it to the piece. Graphic designers do their work well, but asking them to make sure that words are spelled correctly can be outside of their comfort zone—especially if the verbiage given to them has not been thoroughly copy edited beforehand. On the flip side, I can tell you if something looks good to me, but I am not a designer.
I am well-versed in Constant Contact and Robly for your newsletter needs. Provide me with the content you want to be shared, and I will work with you to put together a clear message.
Q: How does payment work?
A: Here are answers to some of the typical questions:
- For a general range of hourly rates, see the rates shown for the Editorial Freelancer’s Association. Don’t let this be the only deciding factor.
- After reviewing a sample of your work, I can provide an estimate for the project. If you can be flexible with me, I can be flexible with you.
- I prefer PayPal. Any other option will need to be discussed and confirmed in advance. PayPal is quick and easy. And reasonably safe for both parties.
- Looking for someone to call on occasionally when you have a small job? I can set up an agreement for this.
- Invoices will be provided for all projects. If needed, a W-9 can be provided upon request.
Q: What kind of turnaround time can I expect?
A: If you have a projected date for when you need my services, please contact me to confirm availability and to schedule your project on my calendar. This question is best answered on an individual basis.
For articles under 5000 words, I can return them within two business days. Need it quicker? Let me know and I’ll see if I can make it happen.
Q: How can I tell if we will work well together?
A: If our working relationship is a concern, I have this proposal to test it out. Send me two or three pages (preferably from somewhere in the middle) of your document, and I will work through it as if being paid for my time. Once you receive it, you can look it over to see if it meets your satisfaction. If you like my work, we can agree on the project details; if you don’t like it, just let me know and that will be all. (This offer is good for once per person.)
Q: What formats do you work with?
A: I primarily work in Microsoft Word. Some clients like the Track Changes feature. This to me is messy—at least for the basics of spacing, punctuation, word usage, etc. You are allowing me to work with your document, so please trust me for these little things. If you want Track Changes for the larger corrections, I can accommodate your preferences.
If your documents are in Apple’s Pages format, I can also use that program.
For brochures/marketing materials, send PDFs and I will make a list of the changes needed, or comment directly.
If you have a presentation to give, I can edit your PowerPoint or Keynote slides. I can either work directly in the files or can convert them to a PDF and suggest changes there.
For websites that simply need grammar fixes, I can make the changes electronically (with the proper login information) or make a list of the needed corrections.
Q: What references do you use?
A: In addition to years of experience and a good eye/ear for what looks and sounds good, I have references at hand (screen) that I use on a regular basis (grammar books, etc.). My regular go-to sources are The Gregg Reference Manual, The Chicago Manual of Style, The Associated Press Stylebook, and The Copyeditor’s Handbook. If you have a style guide that you would like me to follow, please forward that and I can make sure that the end result matches.
Q: I see grammar or punctuation problems on your web site. How can I trust you with my work?
A: With the posts (listed on the right sidebar), I am sharing information as I find articles or have the time to write a bit. I would rather be active and let my fallibility show instead of allowing my perfectionist nature to win and slowing down my output. I welcome comments if you find a few minor errors within the posts.
I am comfortable starting sentences with conjunctions and ending them with prepositions, and I do lean toward the use of the serial (Oxford) comma unless I am asked to abide by AP style for the project. If you have issues with some of the examples of grammar you are seeing on the main pages, then it would be better for us both for you to find an editor who abides by your style preferences.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? Send it using the form on the Contact page.