Frequently asked questions

I’ve sent you my text for a sample edit. What happens now?

I will send back your sample pages edited, and give you details on how much it will cost to edit your full manuscript and how you can pay.

I had my five-page sample submission rejected. Why?

Very occasionally, I will reject a sample submission. I cannot give feedback on your specific submission. It could have been rejected for a number of reasons, such as: the manuscript was not ready for editing, this often happens when it is still an early draft; there are too many basic errors in the text, this includes documents that appear to have been translated by Google Translate; the text appears to be an entire short story, a blog post or a complete article; the text does not appear to be a genuine request for a sample edit.

How can I pay to have my novel edited?

You can pay safely and securely using Stripe, Payoneer or PayPal. All payments should be sent to the info [@] novelgazing.org e-mail address.

How long will the edit take?

I can usually get a manuscript of 60,000 words back to you within fifteen working days, depending on the workload at the time. I will be in touch with you via e-mail throughout the editing process and can give you regular updates and a more accurate estimate as they proceed.

What if I need my edited manuscript sooner?

No problem. For urgent cases, a faster edit is negotiable. Let us know as soon as possible.

Can you guarantee the edit will be error-free?

Editors are human too. That means I can’t promise perfection, but I will do my best.

Will you send me back a ‘clean’ manuscript, or will I be able to see the changes you made?

I will send you two documents – one ‘clean,’ edited version for your approval and a version with ‘track changes’ enabled so you can see exactly where I've made the changes.

What can I do if I’m unhappy with your edit?

Please let us know as soon as possible. My reputation rests on the quality of my work, and I strive to make sure you will be satisfied. But if you still have questions, I’ll do my best to resolve them. Since I am a professional member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders, you can also contact them if you have any complaints.

What if I make corrections to my manuscript while it’s being edited? Can I send you my new pages?

Sorry. I’d have to consider those new pages as a new manuscript. You’d have to pay again.

Do you only edit novels?

I work mainly with novelists, but have broad experience in non-fiction and academic editing. If you have text that needs editing, get in touch and I’ll give you an honest assessment of the cost and time needed.

Can I send a paper manuscript?

Unfortunately not. We’d all be so disappointed if the only copy of your edited manuscript goes missing in the post.

Do I have to include Novel Gazing in the acknowledgements section of my book?

You don’t have to, but it is usual to acknowledge your editor, and I would really appreciate it if you did.