How We Work
COLLABORATION. ETHICS. RESPECT.
Image by Mike Benna ~ Unsplash
RATES:
What do you charge?
Rates start at $70 per hour; discounts may be available for purchasing hours in quantity. With very clearly defined parameters, we may offer a per-unit price.
AVAILABILITY:
Will you be available when we’re ready to move forward, and are you ever available on short notice?
To secure our time in advance, we’ll need a non-refundable deposit on the estimated project value. That said, if you have something requiring a quick turnaround — try us! Openings do happen.
COLLABORATION:
We want to work closely with you on our project, but may not be as fluent with (or have) the latest techs used for editing. What do we do?
We’re expert in many state-of-the-art collaboration tools, but don’t expect you to be! We’re committed to accommodating different levels of technology access and computer literacy. We can show you easy ways to collaborate virtually or at a distance — such as Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe Acrobat’s markup features, and free tools such as Google Docs or LibreOffice.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
How do you keep projects on budget and on deadline?
Much like taking your vehicle into a mechanic or your body to a doctor, it’s not always possible to tell at first glance what the issue is — and what will be required to address it — until you get into it.
We mitigate uncertainty with well-defined roles, staged workplans with deadlines, scheduled opportunities for your review. If project scope changes, we modify estimates and get approval to proceed.
GHOSTWRITING:
Is it ethical? Legal?
Ghostwriting is much like collaborative writing, in which one or more people team up to write. It’s not just legal; it’s everywhere: everything you read that doesn’t have a byline (author name) attached, and much of what does have a byline, may be ghost-written. Ghostwriters and named authors use standard protocols to decide how (and if) a ghostwriter will be credited. In some instances, ghostwriting would not be ethical or legal — such as students’ exams or writing assignments. We follow Editors Canada guidelines for ethical academic editing.
REDUCING RISK:
How do we reduce the cost and time of finding an editor, writer or researcher who’s the right fit for our project?
You need people who believe in your project, respect you, contribute in ways that leave you feeling empowered and motivated, and fit your budget.
To find out if we’re a good fit: a) complete and submit our project inquiry form and schedule a quick meeting with us, and/or b) commission us for a small project or a small part of your project (typically a minimum of $250), such as a chapter.
GUIDANCE:
What if I’m not sure what my project needs in terms of editorial support?
Commission us for an expert evaluation in which we assess what you’ve got, reflect on your goals, and offer suggestions for next steps. Evaluation fees vary depending on project length and goals.
CONSISTENCY:
Our work is co-authored by many people and mixes styles, spelling, and formatting. How do we standardize choices and minimize this confusion in the future?
You may need a style sheet, a style guide, and/or a style edit. We can use a well-known style guide, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, or one of your choosing. We also help organizations develop or update their style guides and set up customized templates for future documents.
SELF-PUBLISH, OR … ?
What would my choice of publishing route imply for development and editing of my project?
The short answer:
Writers publishing through traditional routes don’t usually pay to publish, but their project goals must align with the editorial values and priorities, time frames, and financial considerations of their publishers. A good privately contracted editor can support this process by helping you develop a persuasive book proposal or bring your manuscript to a professional standard before you submit it for consideration.
Authors who self-publish often prioritize maximum creative control over their work, the needs of very niche audiences, a speedier publishing process, or a greater share of their work’s sales. Privately contracted editors can keep these priorities in mind to help you bring the very best version of your work to life.
Please use this confidential inquiry form to start a conversation about your project:
Client wisdom
We asked some of our longtime clients to suggest how new clients can make the most of Water Street Editorial Services.
THEIR TOP TIPS:
Image by Vlad D ~ Unsplash
Lower your risk
by starting with a smaller project to gauge the fit between you and us.
Save time
by stating the range of your editorial budget at the outset.
Save money
by seeking editor advice on the order of operations. For example, you don’t want to commission proofreading when a structural/style edit is needed, edit part of a document without regard to how it relates to the whole, or get a document designed while the content is very much in flux.
Share freely
what you think your work needs, the level of intervention you’re comfortable with, and how you prefer to receive feedback — but be open to editorial suggestion.
When you’re unsure
what your project needs, start by commissioning an evaluation from Water Street Editorial.
Secure your place
on Water Street Editorial’s calendar with a deposit and some lead time.
Give good hints
about what you need by pointing to examples of comparable work that you like.
Get quicker response
by paying promptly and fully.
Expect confidentiality
as a bedrock principle, but if this makes you more comfortable, feel free to supply a confidentiality agreement.
Get more accurate quotes
by supplying as much information about your needs and budget as possible from the outset.
read client testimonials here
To help us serve you efficiently, please fill out this inquiry form: