This Book Editing Contract sets out how we will run your developmental edit project, from the first diagnostic read through to the revision check. If you have accepted a proposal from us, that proposal and this contract are meant to be read together. The proposal confirms the manuscript, timeline, price, and the deliverables list. The terms below explain how we work day to day so you know what you will get back, what we need from you, and what happens when questions or changes come up.
What the work covers
We will complete the developmental edit described in the accepted proposal. This covers big-picture craft and structure, including story or argument shape, chapter flow, pacing, clarity, and what to cut, expand, move, or rewrite, without rewriting the book for you.
The deliverables for this project are listed below. We will deliver them in writing, with specific examples from your pages and clear priorities so you can decide what to change while keeping your voice. This scope does not include line editing or copyediting, unless we both agree in writing to add it.
* Manuscript diagnostic summary * Chapter map and outline * In-manuscript margin comments * Editorial letter * Structural rewrite plan * Revision check notes
Payment
To book the work, you pay 40% of the total price when you sign. We schedule your project and start once the deposit has cleared and we have the manuscript files and notes we asked for.
The remaining 60% is due when we hand over the finished work. We send invoices as the project reaches those points, and each invoice is payable within 14 days of its date. If an invoice goes overdue, we will pause work and hold delivery until the account is up to date. We will always tell you in writing if a pause is coming, so there are no surprises.
Revision check
This project includes one revision check on one updated draft. For us, a revision check means we review the revised manuscript you send after you have worked through our editorial letter and margin comments, then we send revision check notes that confirm what is working, flag what still needs attention, and point out any new knock-on issues created by the rewrite.
Any additional rounds, or any new work outside the agreed scope, are not included. If you want another pass, or you want us to go deeper on specific chapters, we will quote it first and agree the price and timing in writing before we start.
Who owns what
You own your manuscript at all times. Our job is to help you shape it, not to take control of it. Once the final invoice is paid, you can use the edited manuscript file, our margin comments, editorial letter, rewrite plan, and notes however you like for this book and any future drafts.
We keep our own working files, checklists, templates, and methods. We may also keep a private working copy of your materials for our records so we can answer follow-up questions about what we recommended. We do not publish, share, or reuse your text.
Our responsibility
We will do the work with care, using our editorial judgement and giving you specific, actionable notes. Editing is still advice, not a guarantee. We cannot promise agent interest, reviews, sales results, or that every reader will agree with the choices you make.
We also cannot be responsible for decisions made after delivery, including changes you or others make to the manuscript, formatting or upload issues, or deadlines you set with third parties. If something looks unclear or inconsistent in our work, tell us promptly and we will review it and correct any genuine mistakes in what we delivered.
Ending the project
You or we can end the project by telling the other in writing. In that message, we will agree a practical notice period and the handover point, based on what stage the edit is at and what files we are currently working in.
If the project ends early, you will pay for the work we have completed up to the end date. If you have already paid more than that amount, we will refund the difference. If you have paid less, we will invoice for the balance, payable within 14 days of the invoice date. We will hand over the parts we have completed once the account is settled.
Signature
