How does it all work?

All communication with me will be via email, at contact@holliegodwin.com or by telephone or video call, at your request. STEP 1 – THE REQUEST First you will need to complete a no-obligations request for a quote. Here you can choose the service you're interested in and how many words you'd like to submit. STEP 2 – THE QUOTE & SAMPLE Upon receiving your request, I will complete and send to you my Author's Quote Sheet (aptly named, I know). This is a no-obligations document that will simply confirm the details of your request, demonstrate how my charges are calculated, outline the cost of the deposit and final charge, and when you can expect the service to be completed. If you're eligible for a free sample edit (up to 1,500 words for first time clients), I will then request your sample and complete this within 4 days of receipt. STEP 3 – THE AGREEMENT If you're happy with the quote (and my sample edit), I'll ask you to read and sign a copy of my author/editor agreement. Sounds serious but it simply means we have written confirmation of what we can expect from working together. You can view a copy of this here. I'll also ask you to complete a short questionnaire about your project, so I can develop a detailed understanding of your vision and how I can help. This can be done as an informal chat with me over the phone/video call, or you can simply fill in the sheet and send it back to me – along with your manuscript, of course! STEP 4 – THE SERVICE Once this is all done and any remaining questions are answered, I will send you an invoice for a 25% deposit. This must be paid before I can begin working on your manuscript. Once I have received the deposit, I will notify you of the date I begin and keep in regular contact you with updates on how it's going. STEP 5 – COMPLETION When my service is finished, I will return your manuscript to you along with my editorial letter or report – depending on the service you selected. I will also ask for written confirmation that you are satisfied with my work, before sending over my final invoice for the remaining 75% of my fee, which is payable within 30 days. And that's it! Phew!

How much do you charge?

I have a very simple system for calculating the cost of my services. Tier 1 – completely free. Easy peasy. Tier 2 – my Manuscript Critique is charged at £0.004/per word for a miniumum 5,000 word submission. Designed for authors on a budget, it's an affordable service to get overall insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your work. Tier 3 – my Developmental Edit is charged at £0.008/per word for a minimum 5,000 word submission. You'll get detailed, personalised support to prepare your work for publication. Double the buck for more than double the bang. Perfect for authors who want to write their best work. For projects over 10,000 words, I request a 25% deposit before I begin. If your project is less than 5,000 words, I will calculate a small sum for your request.

How long will you take to edit my work?

There are several factors to consider when estimating how long it will take me to edit your work. The first factor is the time I have available when you reach out to me. I tend to schedule my projects on a first come first served basis, so it is important to contact me as soon as possible, if you would like me to edit your work – particularly if you are working to a deadline. Other factors that will have an impact include the project length, the genre, and the depth of editing required. Deadlines will be discussed and agreed upon before any work commences.

Which tier is right for me?

My flexible tier system is designed to offer you flexibility and accessibility. Tier 1 is for authors who are just looking to brush up their skills. It's completely free! There's a library of blog posts, newsletters and PDFs at your fingertips to get a grip on basic writing tips and professional guidance. You're welcome! Tier 2 is for authors who are on a budget but are seeking a quick evaluation of their work. This is called a Manuscript Critique and will offer an overall insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your project. Perfect for authors who just want to know if their work is any good. Tier 3 is for authors who want to write their best work. This is the full hog, the Developmental Edit. You'll get dedicated and detailed personalised support that delves deep into your manuscript. My feedback will cover everything from premise, plot, structure, characters, worldbuilding, style, genre, marketability and more. If you're serious about your manuscript, this is the one for you.

How can I pay you?

I only accept payments securely via PayPal. A deposit invoice will be sent to you upon commencement of my service. A final invoice will be sent to you upon completion of my service, which is payable within 30 days. Please see my Author/Editor Agreement for further details.

Which genres do you edit?

I am a self-confessed nerd for the following genres:

• Fantasy (including High Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Modern Fantasy, Speculative, Magical Realism, Gothic, etc.)
• Science Fiction (including Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Steampunk, Supernatural, etc.)
• Thriller (including Cosy Mysteries, Suspense, Crime etc.)
• Romance

Which software do you use for editing?

I use Microsoft Word. It is the most widely used software between editors and authors, with some very useful features. All of my edits will be performed with the 'Track Changes' feature switched on so that you can review every comment in-line. Don't worry if you're not sure how to use the 'Track Changes' feature – I will assist you every step of the way. I can also edit within Pages or Google Docs if necessary, but I ask my clients to be aware that the editing features available in Microsoft Word are much more advanced, so I would prefer to edit in Microsoft Word where possible.

How many revisions do you carry out?

After editing your manuscript, I reread it all again to double check everything before sending my feedback and suggestions. If there are specific aspects for me to check as I’m editing, I ask the client for clarification when I provide weekly updates. If you decide to make any changes in relation to my feedback and would like these to be reviewed, I charge a nominal fee to work through these changes at a highly discounted rate. My aim is to make each book the best it can be and offer feedback that helps you prepare to progress to publication.