TERMS & CONDITIONS

Author Responsibility

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The author is responsible for the accuracy, originality, legality, and final approval of the manuscript, including facts, names, dates, citations, permissions, quoted material, copyrighted material, and any potentially defamatory or unlawful content. If you have concerns about the content or legality of your publication, including but not limited to libel, slander, plagiarism, copyright infringement, permissions, or due credit, we recommend that you contact a qualified legal professional for advice. We are not responsible for the content or legality of your publication.

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Scope of Work

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The services provided will be limited to the level of editing agreed upon before work begins. Proofreading, copy editing, developmental editing, formatting, and other services are separate services unless otherwise agreed in writing. Requests for additional work beyond the original agreement may require a revised estimate and additional payment. Editing is a professional and creative service. We provide suggestions, corrections, and comments based on the agreed service, but the author remains in control of the final document.

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Client Control and Editorial Process

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You remain in control of the content, style, and final appearance of your document. We support this by: following your instructions carefully using your style manual, if provided respecting and preserving the writer’s voice checking with you before making major changes using Track Changes where appropriate, so you may accept or reject edits using Comments to explain changes or raise concerns working toward the agreed deadline To receive the best service, please: book your job in advance so we can allow enough time for the work provide a sample of the document when requesting an estimate advise us of any budget constraints be available to answer questions that may arise during the editing process

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Estimates

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We provide estimates based on the word count, sample provided, level of editing requested, and condition of the manuscript. To request an estimate, please submit a sample of approximately 2,500 words to thornedheartpress@gmail.com and allow 24 to 48 hours for a response. An estimate is not a fixed quote unless clearly stated in writing. Once editing has begun, if we believe the price will exceed the estimate by more than 25%, we will let you know as soon as possible before continuing. If you request changes to the agreed service after work has begun, the price may change accordingly.

 

Payments

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Payment is due within 7 days of the invoice date unless otherwise agreed in writing. All payments are accepted through PayPal. We accept major credit cards through PayPal’s secure payment system. PayPal transactions may incur a processing fee of approximately 3.5% to 5%. Work may not begin, or final edited files may not be released until payment has been received, depending on the agreement made for the project.

 

Deadlines

 

We make reasonable efforts to meet agreed deadlines. However, deadlines may need to be adjusted if the client does not provide required materials, responses, payment, or approvals on time. If delays occur due to missing files, late payment, unavailable communication, or changes requested by the client, the completion date may be revised.

 

Confidentiality

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We will not share your manuscript, personal information, or project details with anyone else without your consent, except where required by law. We are also happy to sign a confidentiality agreement if requested.

 

Contracts

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We normally use written email communication as the agreement between you and us. Job details may also be summarized in a job summary, estimate, or invoice. If you would like something more comprehensive, please ask. We have a detailed formal contract that can be adapted to your needs, or you are welcome to provide your own contract for review.

 

Complaints Policy

 

We want every client to be satisfied with the service they receive. If you have concerns about the work provided, please contact us in writing within 7 days of delivery of the completed service.

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Complaints must relate directly to the agreed scope of work outlined in the job summary, estimate, invoice, email agreement, or contract. We will review the concern promptly and, where appropriate, offer reasonable revisions, clarification, or corrections. Because editing involves professional judgment, creative interpretation, and client preference, dissatisfaction based solely on stylistic preference, changes of mind, or expectations outside the agreed scope of work will not automatically qualify for a refund. Refunds are considered only when we have not provided the agreed service or have been unable to reasonably resolve a valid issue within the scope of the original agreement.

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Refunds

 

Refunds are not available once the edited document has been approved, published, submitted, substantially revised by the client or another party, or used commercially.

 

Limitation of Liability

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We provide editing suggestions, corrections, and advice in good faith and make reasonable efforts to improve the document according to the agreed scope of work. However, editing is a human and interpretive service, and we cannot guarantee that a document will be completely free of errors. We are not responsible for omissions, remaining errors, or issues in the client’s final document. The author is responsible for carefully reviewing all edits, comments, and final files before publication, submission, printing, or distribution.

 

We are not responsible for any loss, damages, costs, claims, or consequences arising from the publication, submission, distribution, or use of the client’s document.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read these terms and conditions. We look forward to working with you.