Terms & 
Conditions

1. Scope of Project

1.1 Before the editing process commences, the Author and Editor will agree to terms of employment and a digital contract for both parties to keep will be signed. Both parties will agree to terms of; what material the author would like edited; its' genre, word count and page extent. The expected schedule and costs, including booking dates, deadlines, invoicing and payment terms will be agreed upon by both parties (Editor and Author), and documented via signed terms of employment contract prior to commencement of editing period or any deposits/monetary transactions made.

​

1.2 The Author understands that at the signing of contract, it is legally binding, and signifies the confirmation, and or approval of the Editor's Terms of Employment for their services, and also approves the estimated quote provided beforehand. 

 

1.3 The Editor will conduct an initial assessment of the work; it's type and extent of editing needed (including how many rounds of editing to expect). After assessment, should the Editor agree to provide editing services, the Editor will provide the Author with an estimated quote for services. ​

 

1.4 A trial edit consisting of the Authors' first two chapters (as a free sample), will be required to assess scope of work and evaluate Quote. The Editor acknowledges that, this is a free service offered for sampling of work, and will not charge or require payment for the aforementioned two chapter sample edit.

 

1.5 Proofreading services are currently offered at a flat rate cost of $500 (AUD), however, the Editor reserves the right to re-assess the quote if the scope of work far exceeds the work load (edit) able to be achieved within the time frame of 8 weeks. The Editor will have made an initial assessment of this before emailing a quote. 

 

2.0 Fees & Payment Terms

2.1 If you need to change your agreement, you are required to tell your editor as soon as possible and explain why. This goes for the Editor as well should they need to change the agreement. Together you may need to renegotiate the project’s; timelines, especially if the scope of work changes or the start date is delayed, cost, which will likely increase if the scope of work increases, for example.

​

2.2 If the Editor later finds the sample was not representative of the whole project. If less work is required, the editor may charge less than the agreed fee. If more work is required, the editor and client will need to agree to a new fee. If the scope of work exceeds that in the agreement, a new fee may need to be agreed.

​

2.3 A 10% deposit of the client's quote will need to be paid prior to the start of the editing process to secure the booking of the Editor, and hold the client's proposed time slot/time frame for editing in the Editor's books/schedule. The 10% deposit paid will be deducted from the total cost of the initial quote. 

​

2.4 Any Payment Plans requested by client, will be negotiated prior to signing of employment contract. The Author acknowledges that upon signing of contract you have agreed to the payment plan proposed, and are legally bound to payout your payments to L.H. Editorial when a payment deadline is set, and of the correct amount. 

​

2.5 Failure to meet payment deadlines will result in a late fee charge of $15 (AUD) on top of existing payment amount, or potentially result in the halting of the editing process, or if deemed necessary by the Editor, the termination of contract and editing service. 

​

2.6 The remaining balance must be paid in full by the end of the editing process. This date will be provided in the initial conversations had around the time frame required for editing, and the return date for edited work, will be listed as part of the signed contract. Failure to pay the remainder of fees owed to Editor, may result in potential legal action. 

​

2.7 If a project is more time consuming or complicated than expected, and therefore requires the agreement to be changed, your editor will not charge more than the original contracted amount without your agreement. The editor may pause work until you agree to a new fee.

​2.8 The rate your Editor charges is entirely at their discretion, as is whether they charge by the hour, word, page or project.

​

2.9 An Editor’s rates may increase for some types of projects, such as multi-author works or jobs with a fast turnaround.

​

2.10 If the Client was not eligible for a payment plan due to service selected, or low quote cost, and or proposed payment plan, was not agreed upon or negotiated, then the quote will be listed/treated as an upfront fee, and will require to be paid upon start of editing process. 

 

2.11 If the Editor requires more time than initially agreed to edit your work, the Editor will refund your initial 10% deposit paid. Note: the refund of 10% deposit is only eligible for those NOT on a payment plan. Eligible only for those who paid the upfront cost. 

​

2.12 The two free sample chapters will not be added into the calculation of the initial quote. They will always be treated as FREE. 

​

2.13 Payment Plans and Quotes are handled by accounting software Xero. Please be advised, in some cases, you may be asked to provide proof of identity to complete set up for the payment plan, and insure against potential fraud, identity theft, and help in instance of protection of earnings when collecting payments, in the event of criminal activity. If asked to provide ID, and failure to implement this in your application, may potentially result in being unsuccessful in application for a payment plan, in this event, the quote offered will default to being an up-front cost. It is up to the author from there, whether they wish to accept and continue with the process. 

​

2.14 Some services charged at a flat rate or quoted a smaller amount, are not eligible for the payment plan option, and will be an upfront cost, the Editor will inform the client if this is the case for them. ​

​

2.15 Signs of potential criminal activity or suspect/suspicious behaviour will be reported to authorities. 
 

2.16 Payments will be made via bank transfer into L.H. Editorial business account, and in partnership with Xero accounting software. Please note, quotes do not include any potential banking fees that may apply. due to; admin, currency conversion or transaction fee. L.H. Editorial is not responsible for any and all banking fees of your bank.

3.0 Intellectual Property

3.1 Your work is protected by Copyright Law. As soon as you started writing your story it is protected by this, and considered 'Intellectual Property.'

​

3.2 Your work will not be shared or distributed by the Editor. 

​

3.3 Your work will not be shared on social media, unless expressly given permission otherwise by the owner of the work (the Author). 

​

3.4 Copyright Laws and regulations may vary depending on country and region, it is up to the Author's discretion to research and understand their rights. Please not that L.H. Editorial is an Australian based company, NSW, and is bound by Copyright Laws of Australia. 

​

3.5 Your work will be shared only with the Editor and collected via software such as; Adobe, Microsoft Word, and through Outlook email. This is disclosed as part of the submission process. 

​

3.6 The Author acknowledges that they are sharing their work with the Editor for editing services, and that the Editor will make changes to their work. 

​

3.7 The Author will receive an edited manuscript back at the completion of the editing process, and not before the completion/conclusion of the editing process. The return date of work will be when the work is returned and not before then. 

4.0 Client Responsibilities

4.1 The Author understands it is their responsibility to provide any and all, supporting documents/materials for their work such as; style guide, inspiration boards, images, research conducted, detailed notes on the creation or facts of your written work to assist the Editor. They acknowledge that failure to provide these materials may potentially impede/impact the quality and time frame of the edit. 

 

4.2 The Author understands the material will be edited digitally through editing software such as; Adobe and Microsoft Word.

 

4.3 The Author understands they are responsible for any and all final approvals, acceptances, and or rejections of tracked changes. The Author understands that they are responsible for all final reviews and approvals before any form of printing or publication, and that, that responsibility does not fall to the Editor.

 

4.4 The Author understands that for any printing or publishing errors, the Editor cannot be held accountable, as this does not fall under their role responsibility. 

​

4.5 The Author acknowledges that the Editor is human, and is producing their own work. They acknowledge that due to human nature, there is the possibility of human error. As dictated by industry guidelines, Editor will try their best to catch all mistakes/errors/typos within the material being edited, and in cohesion with the type of edit they have been hired to perform, and will be held to current publishing industry error rate standards. 

​

4.6 The Editor must be credited and acknowledged in the event of publication of work. It is the Author's responsibility to ensure credit for the Editor's work is appropriately acknowledged in the event of publication, or recommendation of services. 

​

4.7 It is up to the Authors' discretion as to whether or not they wish to provide the Editor with a complimentary copy of the published work.

​

4.8 The Author acknowledges that they are responsible for keeping and maintaining any and all original drafts/copies of their work, and where they choose to keep it stored, and are responsible for any consequences that may happen due to where they store their work e.g. if a file get's corroded on their computer, or delete their own work. 

​

4.9 Author understands that any acts that cause direct interference or loss of business or earnings due to  actions that are defamatory or slanderous in nature, written or verbal, could potentially lead to legal action, and as a potential result; law suit or prosecution in court. 

​

4.10 The Author acknowledges that a copy of their edited work and editor's commentary document will be held for a maximum of 4 months after the editing process is completed, before potential deletion. It is the Author's responsibility to ensure they have saved and backed up copies of edited/marked up work sent/emailed to them on their own computer/hard-drive/USB etc. 

​

4.11 The Author understands that L.H. Editorial is not a publishing house with publishing services, or a literary agency, and cannot control the outcome of whether or not your work is successful for publication or its' subsequent successes in sales. 

​

4.12 The Author understands that L.H. Editorial is not required to market your book in any way or at any given time. If the Editor chooses to do so, it is of their own accord and holds the right to make that decision. 

 

5.0 Editor Responsibilities

5.1 As dictated by industry guidelines, Editor will try their best to catch all mistakes/errors/typos within the material being edited, and in cohesion with the type of edit they have been hired to perform. The Editor will be held to publishing industry error rate standards (current rate is a grace period of 1-3 errors per 1,000 words).

​

5.2 The Editor is responsible for returning, an edited/marked copy of the manuscript, on time, and in compliance with the contracted return date that is stated. If more time is required, it is the Editor's responsibility to let the client know as soon as possible, and initiate renegotiation of the terms of contract and payment in that event. 

​

5.3 The Editor will aim to deliver a high quality service to the best of their ability. 

​

5.4 It is the Editor's responsibility to keep a record of edits for a minimum of 4 months after the contracted return date. 

​

5.5 It is the Editor's responsibility to produce all materials offered as part of each individual service. If in the event something is no longer possible or has been an error, the Editor must inform the client and initiate renegotiation of terms, and proceeding steps. 

​

5.6 It is the Editor's responsibility to work within the deadlines negotiated and charge appropriately for services after initial assessment of work. 

​

5.7 The Editor, like the client is bound to uphold the terms and conditions stated in the signed contract of employment/services hired.

​

5.8 It is the Editor's responsibility to ensure in the event of a dispute to, resolve the situation to the best of their ability before seeking any legal action and provide proof of this. 

7.0 Dispute Resolution

7.1 In the event of a dispute between Client and Editor the first step of dispute resolution will be to try and resolve the issue via communication written, and or verbal between the two parties. It is paramount that the two parties try to resolve the issue between themselves, and negotiate what the two parties agree to be either a fair compromise or agreement. 

​

7.2 If the dispute has managed to be resolved within the first step, a written contract stating the new terms and the result of the dispute of how it was solved, documented. Part of this contract is to say the dispute was amicably resolved, each party may provide a personal statement of the events and how it unfolded. A copy for both parties will need to be potentially kept for records. This document if seen fit, will be passed onto a legal advisor/lawyer on the companies' behalf.

 

7.3 Both parties will be legally bound to uphold the terms agreed to in the initial contract signed on procurement of editing services, so it is imperative you read the whole contract before signing, and if something requires explaining, or unsure of the meaning that the party asks questions. Any breach of contract from either party will need to be resolved following dispute resolution steps. If not possible, to amicably agree on a resolution, legal representation will take over handling the dispute. 

​

7.4 In the event of legal action needing to be taken, all communications and contracts will be shared, with the appointed lawyer or legal advisor. Both parties will have a fair chance to have their say, and to both provide all relevant evidence or documentation of communication. 

​

7.5 (ADR) Alternative Dispute Resolution via third party, business law specialist, will be employed to attempt to resolve the dispute if the two parties cannot agree. 

​

7.6 If the (ADR) Alternative Dispute Resolution process fails, then a court trial or more serious legal action may be put into effect. This will always be a last resort and is never initiated until every other avenue is explored to resolve the dispute first. ​

​

7.7 All disputes are to be handled privately and remain off social media, as it will be deemed defamatory or slanderous behaviour in the eyes of the law and can lead to potential fines, and or face prosecution in court. 

8.0 Termination

8.1 Failure to meet contracted/agreed terms, may result in the halting, or the eventual termination of the Editing Service being provided. 

8.2 Failure to meet payment deadlines or pay the correct amount owed will result in termination of contract and editing work. 

​

8.3 In the event of termination, the Editor will only return the sections of work that have been edited, up until the most recent payment. The Editor is not legally bound to return a whole edited work in the event of contract breach by client; payment failure, refusal to pay the remaining agreed amount owed, or repeatedly missed payment deadlines. 

​

8.4 Abusive behaviour or communication will result in the termination of contract and editing services. It is important that between Editor, and Client that they treat each other with respect and kindness. 

​

8.5 Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated, and may be reported to authorities in the event of. 

​

8.6 Slanderous or defamatory behaviour online/social media/verbal, will result in termination of contract and editing services, and if deemed appropriate further legal action/prosecution may be put into action. 

​

8.7 If the client is found to be participating in online/social media bullying behaviour, the Editor reserves the right to terminate contract and editing services. 

​

8.8 The client will receive one official written warning before a termination of contract and editing services  is initiated. 

​

8.9 If generative AI or ChatGPT has been used to write your work for you, and if the client has been dishonest about the use of; will result in immediate termination, and no refunds will be given, as is stipulated in contract. 

​

8.10 Signs of potential criminal or fraudulent behaviour will result in immediate termination of contract and editing services, and no refunds will be given. If deemed necessary, authorities may be informed. 

​

9.0 AI Policy

9.1 In the event that the client fails to disclose the use of generative AI/ChatGPT, and in what capacity it was used, will result in the immediate termination of contract and editing services, and the Editor reserves the right to NOT return ANY edits that have been made. It will be a straight termination, and no refunds afforded, as stipulated in the signed contract as well as terms and conditions laid out here on this page. 

​

9.2 Use of generative AI and ChatGPT and to the extent/way of which it is used, may result in persons' details and name blacklisted/banned from any potential future submissions to L.H.Editorial. 

​

9.3 L.H. Editorial does not accept the use of AI or ChatGPT to write for you. Your work should be your own hard work, and something to be proud of because it came from YOU, not generated from millions of stolen work. 

​

​

*All of the above Terms and Conditions will be part of the contract to be signed prior to engagement of services.