My clients include academic staff, postgraduate students, government, small business, organisations in the for-purpose sector and schools.
Here are the basic steps of my work process so you know up-front how I do what I do and how we can work well together:
1. Define scope of work
Whether you are after my editing or writing services (or both), you’ll need to fill out all the details on my contact page so we are both clear from the start what your project is all about: how big it is, whether you need it to adhere to a particular style guide, what you want to achieve and what exactly you need me to do.
2. Quotation and (optional) sample edit
I will need to see your draft document to assess how much work will be required and I can then provide you with a quotation that will include details about what exactly I can do for you, turnaround times and cost. For writing projects, any research I need to do, or interviews, will be included in the quote.
For editing projects, I can do a sample edit for you if you wish. This means I edit a small, representative sample of your draft document and you can see the quality of my work before deciding whether to hire me. I charge a small fee for this service.
3. Deposit to book into my schedule
Once you confirm that you’d like to go ahead with my services I will invoice you for a 25% deposit to make sure you have a guaranteed place in my schedule. This ensures all my clients have a fair go, I don’t double book and I am available for you on the dates we have agreed to. I sometimes book out a few months ahead so if you decide you’d like to work with me it’s a good idea to let me know ASAP so we can get your job booked into my schedule. The date of your booking can be changed with at least two weeks’ notice.
4. Payment of 50% before work starts
I normally commence work on your project after a 50% deposit has been made. Different arrangements can be made for clients whose procurement processes operate outside this timeline and for university students using a grant which is not processed until after work is completed (pending written confirmation from your university’s finance department).
5. Work commences
Before I can start editing your document, you need to be satisfied it is as complete as you can get it. It will not be possible for you to continue working on your document once I am editing it. You will be able to make any further changes after the edit is complete. I usually edit electronically in MS Word using tracked changes and comments. I am also proficient in using Word styles, macros and add-in tools to get your document into the best possible shape. I then send your document back to you (by email, or, if it is very large, I will send a Dropbox link). Once you receive the marked-up version of your document, you can choose which edits to accept or reject.
I can also proofread PDFs using annotation and mark-up tools.
Most writing projects are straight forward and are done in Word using Track Changes. I am very happy to discuss any other specific requirements you may have in relation to research in the scoping stage.
Please note that I do all my own work myself. I do not subcontract your project out to anyone else. That way I can ensure your project will receive the highest-quality attention.
6. Final payment
Once I have worked my editing and/or writing magic for you and delivered your completed project, I will send you a final invoice. My payment terms are 14 days.
For thesis editing, the standard approach is for the final payment to be received prior to me sending the edited thesis back.
Styles and standards
I adhere to the Australian Institute of Professional Editors latest IPEd standards for editing practice (2024) and for thesis editing, I adhere to their Guidelines for editing research theses (2019).
My default style guide is the latest (digital) version of the Australian Government Style Manual. I will write or edit according to any university or house style guide or other conventions, according to your specific needs.
My default guides for Australian spelling are the most recent versions of the Macquarie Dictionary and Macquarie Thesaurus, however, I will of course write or edit according to your preferred dictionary.