Terms and Conditions

Below is a list of the terms and conditions of contracted editorial work. By purchasing services through Black Wolf Editorial Services, you agree to these conditions.

  1. All contracted projects are subject to the editor's approval.
  2. Any contracted projects over 10,000 words require a writing sample in advance.
  3. Sample contracts incur a charge; however, the cost incurred is discounted from a larger contract if that larger contract includes the same words from the initial sample contract.
    • Some level of editing is expected prior to contracting larger contracts. If edits mean that passages bear a resemblance to the initial sample, then they are considered to be the same words. (Writing is subjective, and this will be at the editor's discretion.)
  4. Time frames indicated on Black Wolf Editorial Services or in email communications for editing are a rough guideline and are subject to change based on the availability of the editor.
  5. To secure an editing time slot, a 10% nonrefundable deposit is required.
  6. Services should be paid for in full at least seven (7) days prior to the commencement of work, unless alternative arrangements have been made.
    •  Manuscripts for editing contracts are to be submitted to the editor no later than the Friday before the start of the scheduled editorial slot, providing nominally two (2) days to rectify any issues surrounding corrupted files or inappropriate file format.
    • Manuscripts are to be submitted as a MS Word document (DOC or DOCX).
    • Manuscripts should be sent via email to judylmohr@blackwolfeditorial.com
    • DO NOT share manuscripts via Google Drive. The editor will not be able to retrieve them as the email specified above is NOT a Google email.
  7. A projected completion date will be issued upon full payment and manuscript submission.
  8. If you are unable to meet your scheduled editing time slot, you must notify the editor via email at least seven (7) days prior to the start of the scheduled editing time slot.
    • Emails should be sent to judylmohr@blackwolfeditorial.com
    • If sufficient notice has been provided, one (1) reschedule is permitted, subject to the editor's availability.
    • Insufficient notice will result in loss of your deposit.
    • Additional rescheduled slots will result in the loss of your deposit, and a new deposit will be required.
  9. Any rush jobs requiring editorial work in time frames shorter than those listed on Black Wolf Editorial Services (or within email communication) will incur an additional fee.
  10. Contracts for editing are for a manuscript of a specified length (specified at the time of the quote).
    • For manuscripts over 60,000 words, a leeway of up to 5,000 words is allowed for.
    • If the delivered manuscript exceeds the contracted maximum word count, the editor reserves the right to alter the pricing of the package to accommodate the different size manuscript. This may incur an additional charge and may result in a rescheduling of the contract.
    • Any cancellations or rescheduling of the contract due to unexpected increase in word counts in the delivered manuscript will result in loss of deposit.
  11. Advance payments (excluding the 10% deposit needed to secure the editing slot) can be held in reserve for up to 60 days, unless prior arrangements have been made.
    • Any refunds of advance payments will incur a 10% processing fee.
    • If a contracted editing time slot is already in place, then 10% of the contract fee is nonrefundable. (See Clause 5.)
  12. Final payments are to be paid within ten (10) calendar days of invoicing.
    • Late payments may result in rescheduling of editorial slots, subject to the editor’s availability. In this event, the conditions surrounding rescheduling editorial contracts specified in Clause 8 above apply.
  13. Payments are to be made via PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer, unless prior alternative arrangements have been made.
    • New Zealand-based clients are given the option to pay via direct credit.
  14. Any video, audio, or in-depth chat interaction must be scheduled 48 hours in advance.
    • Nominal times are Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm (NZT), and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm (NZT). Any times outside this, undisturbed silence cannot be guaranteed on the editor's end.
    • When bookings for these meetings are made, a link is sent to a booking form that shows available times in your time zone.
    • Any internet-based conference calls are conducted via Zoom or a similar app. No special accounts or software is required. Details are provided when times are arranged for meetings.
  15. Any mentoring sessions included as part of an editing package cannot be exchanged for additional editing or other services. These sessions are provided as an opportunity for the writer to ask questions and to seek clarity regarding suggested edits.
    • If a writer does not wish to take advantage of the included (free) mentoring session, that is up to them. However, the editor must be notified within fourteen (14) days of return of edits that the writer does not wish to utilize the included (free) mentoring session. Notification should be sent to judylmohr@blackwolfeditorial.com
    • No refunds will be given for any unused mentoring sessions associated with editing packages.
  16. Any mentoring session cancellations should be in writing at least 24 hours in advance.
    • Emails should be sent to judylmohr@blackwolfeditorial.com
    • If you are unable to attend your mentoring session and you have provided 24 hours’ notice, then one (1) reschedule is permitted, subject to the editor’s availability. Clause 14 still applies for rescheduled video/voice/chat sessions.
    • Any missed sessions with no warning will be treated as a completed mentoring session under mentoring and editing contracts.
    • Additional mentoring sessions (resulting from missed sessions) will result in an added fee. Any additional fee must be paid in full prior to the mentoring session.
  17. No refunds are provided for work already complete.
  18. All clients will be provided the opportunity to provide feedback to the editor regarding the standard of editing/coaching work. A link to the feedback form will be provided at the completion of the contract.
    • If you are unhappy with the editing or services provided, the editor will arrange to discuss with you any concerns that you have, but no refunds will be provided (refer to Clause 17.)
  19. The editor has elected to not work with AI-generated works. Please respect this. If your work had been AI-generated, then please contact another editor.
    • Any attempt to fool the editor regarding the AI nature of your writing will not be looked upon favorably, and could result in the immediate termination of your contract and the forfeit of all fees paid.
    • The editor does make a distinction between AI-generated and AI-assisted. AI-assisted manuscripts will be considered.
    • If you are unsure if your story qualifies as AI-assisted, please contact the editor at judylmohr@blackwolfeditorial.com for more guidance.
  20. The editor does not use ChatGPT or any other AI tool to generate reports or to analyze client manuscripts. Everything is by hand using spreadsheets that have been developed by the editor. All reports and comments are personalized to the writer and are direct from the human editor that you are working with.
    • The editor uses ProWritingAid (a program similar to Grammarly) and the built-in spellchecker with MS Office. Neither tool uses ChatGPT or anything like it.
    • Please feel assured that your manuscripts will not be uploaded into an AI training program by the editor.
  21. Disclaimer: The publishing industry is filled with speculation and subjective views. The opinions expressed in reports are that of the editor hired and not the express views of any agent and/or publisher. Comments are for the benefit of the writer only.

If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, or about services offered, please contact the editor.

Last Updated: October 28, 2023

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