Q: Are you willing to work with documents created with artificial intelligence?
A: Yes, within reason. Please see this blog post for my thoughts on the subject.
Q: What types of work do you do?
A: Several years of experience have built on my communications background. My primary experience is copyediting nonfiction books and short articles. If your manuscript has a story element, such as the modern parable approach of The On-Purpose Person, I 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 accurately makes 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 copyedited beforehand. On the flip side, I can tell you if something looks good to me, but I am not a designer.
I have worked in MailerLite, Constant Contact, and Robly for newsletters. Share your content with me, and I will work with you to compose a clear message.
Q: How does payment work?
A: Here are answers to some of the typical questions:
- I prefer to see your document before discussing pricing. This is fair to both parties. For a general range of hourly rates, see this page for posted rates. Don’t let this be the only deciding factor.
- After reviewing a sample of your work, I can provide a project estimate. If you can be flexible, I can be flexible.
- 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? We can discuss an agreement.
- 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. I can best answer this question on an individual basis.
For articles under 5,000 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 edit it as if I were 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 once per person.)
Q: What formats do you work with?
A: I primarily work in Microsoft Word and its Track Changes feature. This can look overwhelming at first—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. I’ll use Track Changes and Comments for the larger corrections.
If your documents are in Apple’s Pages format, I can also use that program.
For brochures/marketing materials, send PDFs, and I will use the tools to suggest edits.
If you have a presentation to give, I can edit your PowerPoint or Keynote slides. I can either work directly in the files or 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 I can 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 (on screen) that I use (grammar books, etc.). My regular go-to sources are The Chicago Manual of Style, The Associated Press Stylebook, and The Copyeditor’s Handbook. If you have a style sheet that you would like me to follow, please forward that, and I’ll ensure the final text matches.
Q: I see grammar or punctuation problems on your website. 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 slow 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 prefer the use of the serial (Oxford) comma unless I am asked to follow 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.