Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a sample of your work?
Can I talk to other people who have used your services in the past?
I'm from a country other than the US. Can I still use your services?
I'm worried about confidentiality and copyright. You're not going to steal my work, right?
Do you guarantee that my work will get published once you edit it?
Can you help me self-publish my manuscript?
Can you format my manuscript into an ebook?
What are your qualifications? Why should I entrust my document to you?
What if I'm not satisfied with the work you do?
What's the difference between proofreading and editing?
Do you have a service guarantee?
Can I see a sample of your work?
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Sure! Check out our Portfolio for examples of past projects. Due to client confidentiality, we are unable to share manuscript samples.
Can I talk to other people who have used your services in the past?
Yes. Just email alissa@redpenforrent.com, and ask! We will happily put you in touch with one of our past clients. You can also check out our Testimonials page to see what clients have to say about Red Pen for Rent.
How does payment work?
- All projects will be invoiced and payable through PayPal.
- Initial Review fees must be paid in advance.
- For all other services, a 50% deposit is required before we will begin work on your project.
- The remaining balance is due and payable upon final delivery.
- For projects totaling more than $1,000, installment payments may be arranged.
I use a regional dialect or some other form of unconventional English in my manuscript. You're not going to "correct" all of that, are you?
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Absolutely not. We understand that creative writing plays by different rules than technical or academic writing, and we are sensitive to maintaining your voice. If there's something we're not sure about, we'll ask before proceeding. And if there's something in particular you don't want us to touch, just let us know and we will always honor your wishes.
I'm from a country other than the US. Can I still use your services?
Absolutely! As long as your document is written in English, Red Pen for Rent is happy to work with you.
I'm worried about confidentiality and copyright. You're not going to steal my work, right?
Absolutely not. The work remains your property at all times. And if you send us a sample, that also remains your property at all times, regardless of whether or not we end up working on your project. We will not copy and re-use your work in any fashion whatsoever without your permission, and we guarantee complete confidentiality. We will not discuss your work or ideas with anyone, and we do not require credit or acknowledgment of any kind beyond fees paid for services rendered.
Do you guarantee that my work will get published once you edit it?
It would be unethical for us to make any promises of that nature. We will help improve your manuscript to the best of our ability, but we have no control over whether or not it is then accepted by agents or publishers.
Can you help me self-publish my manuscript?
Unfortunately, this is currently beyond the scope of Red Pen for Rent's services. There are many self-publishing companies out there who can help you with this task. Pricing and services vary widely, and there are many scams. Be sure you do your homework and check with Preditors & Editors before choosing one. The website has been around since the 90s and looks it, but they're a reputable source of quality information for writers.
Can you format my manuscript into an ebook?
Unfortunately, no. We do not currently possess that expertise, but there are many helpful websites to help you do it yourself, as well as service providers who specialize in ebook formatting and publishing. We are looking into offering this service in the future.
What are your qualifications? Why should I entrust my document to you?
Please see About and Curriculum Vitae for a thorough professional and academic history detailing Alissa's experience and qualifications.
What if I'm not satisfied with the work you do?
Customer satisfaction is our highest priority. If you are dissatisfied with the quality of our work, please contact us and we will look into your concerns immediately. Remember also that you are free to accept or reject any of our suggested edits. We are happy to discuss anything you find disagreeable or confusing.
What is editing?
Editing includes making revisions to and offering constructive feedback on the content of your document. Editing is not just about technical correctness, though we will read your document for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. It is also about flow and readability, and most importantly, about preserving the voice and intent of the original author: you!
An editor may suggest reorganization or clarification, call attention to inconsistencies, and provide recommendations to help you "find your voice."
For detailed explanations of the various levels of editing service, please see our Services and Rates pages.
What is proofreading?
Proofreading historically referred to the act of making technical corrections to a facsimile of the finished product (a "proof"). It is still often performed in hard copy, though we usually do an electronic markup using Microsoft Word. At your request (and for an extra fee of $100), we can print out your manuscript and read it in hard copy before transferring edits to the electronic document. We offer this option because we first learned to read on paper, and studies have shown that we catch the most errors when reading in that format. Proofreading focuses on correcting spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors.
What's the difference between proofreading and editing?
In the briefest possible terms, it's the difference between revision and correction.
Editing means making revisions to and offering constructive feedback on the content of your document. It is an intensive process that requires not only a strong background in English language skills, but also an intuitive feel for the voice and intent of the original author and for what looks right on the page.
Proofreading, in contrast, is the more relatively simple process of correcting for spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors.
Do you have a service guarantee?
We are so confident in our ability to provide high quality services that we offer a partial money-back guarantee. Terms and conditions apply. If you are in any way unhappy with the services we provide, please talk to us about it. We will do everything we can to resolve the situation.
Still Have Questions?
Email Alissa directly at alissa@redpenforrent.com.
