Terms & Conditions
Melissa A. Donovan, Writer and Editor, provides proofreading and editing services, as well as original written content and related services to businesses and independent professionals. Clients are asked to read and agree to all terms and conditions outlined herein.
Rates and Fees
The final cost of each project may include additional charges for outsourced vendors (printing, shipping, etc.), travel, expedition, and surcharges, as well as other related products, services, and work-related activities. All expected fees will be included in the quote and work agreement contract.
If unexpected fees arise during the course of a project, client will be consulted and asked to approve any charges that exceed the quoted price. In some cases, such additional charges may require a signature for approval.
Deadlines and Due Dates
Client understands and agrees that their input may be required for various projects, or they may be asked to provide information, especially for business or company-specific projects. Inquiries to the client will be answered within a reasonable amount of time. Client acknowledges that a failure to respond or cooperate in a timely manner could result in an extension to the project deadline.
Payment Policies
- Preferred method of payment is PayPal. However, money orders and cashiers’ checks are also acceptable. In some cases, personal or business checks may be approved.
- A deposit is required in advance and will range from 25% to 50% of the total project cost estimate, depending on the project’s size and scope. The exact deposit amount required for each project will be clearly stated on the quote. Projects under $100 require full payment in advance.
- Projects do not commence until the deposit has been received in full.
- Deposits are non-refundable.
- All quotes, contracts, and invoices are sent and processed electronically (via e-mail). Printed copies may be sent at client’s request.
- Final payment is due within 30 days of project completion. Project is complete when first final draft is sent to client. Revision occurs after project completion and therefore requests for revisions do not alter the payment due date.
- Late payments are subject to penalty fees of $25 per month, or 10% of project cost, whichever is greater.
- Late payments and non-payments will be pursued through a collections agency.
Project Specifics
- Project commences upon quote acceptance. Deadline is based on project commencement.
- Quote acceptance: Melissa Donovan Writing Services receives signed quote, deposit, and any and all documents or materials that are necessary to the project(s).
- Unless otherwise established prior to start of project, all documents are written, edited, or otherwise processed in Microsoft Word. This includes web site copy and other written material destined for electronic or Internet publication. Other file formats (PDF, HTML, etc.) are available upon request and may incur additional fees.
- Work is sent and received electronically, via e-mail or online file sharing application. Work may be passed back and forth via standard or traditional mail methods at the client’s request; however, this will increase the time line considerably.
- Client will not send updated or revised copies of the written project once work has started. For example, if a document is sent to the writer, and work has commenced, client may not send a revised copy of the document since doing so will interfere with the work process. E-mail requests to insert or amend text are acceptable, but a revised version of same document will be rejected.
- Each project includes two revisions. Revision requests must be received within ten days from client’s receipt of final draft.
- The time line for revisions can vary depending on the scope of the project. Please allow five to ten business days for an average sized project. Longer works, such as manuscripts may require additional revision time.
Intellectual Property and Copyright
- Melissa Donovan Writing Services waives all responsibility for materials which are provided by the client including registered trademarks, copyrights, or additional intellectual properties. Work is accepted in good faith based on the understanding that client has obtained or owns all necessary rights to such properties.
- All material created by Melissa Donovan Writing Services is owned and copyrighted by Melissa A. Donovan unless and until final payment for work as outlined in work agreement is received. When all payments are received in full, copyright automatically transfers to the client.
Privacy
- Melissa Donovan Writing Services is committed to protecting clients’ privacy and operates in full confidentiality.
- Information and documentation provided by the client will not be distributed, published, or otherwise shared in any way without the express consent and permission of the client.
- Melissa Donovan Writing Services may request permission to use work in a portfolio. Whenever possible, such requests will be included on the work agreement and quote prior to project commencement. In some cases, a request to use work in portfolio may be submitted after a project has been completed.
Outsourcing and Vendors
All of the writing that you contract me for will be done by me and me alone. Many freelance writers will outsource their projects to other (cheaper) writers. I believe that if you’ve hired me for your project, it is my work that you are paying for.
However, some projects do require the use of vendors for shipping, printing, and other services that do no fall within my realm of expertise. I will always let you know up front if your project will require such services, and will always include the cost of these services in your work agreement.
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