Terms & Conditions — Developmental Editing Services
Last updated: 28,08,2026
1. About these Terms
These Terms and Conditions apply to developmental editing and related editorial services provided by Ann-Elizabeth Briars.
By booking an editorial service, the client agrees to these Terms and Conditions together with the individual project proposal or agreement provided before work begins.
2. Editorial Services
The exact scope of each project will be agreed in writing before the project begins.
Developmental editing may include assessment of areas such as plot, structure, character development, motivation, pacing, conflict, stakes, emotional development, scene progression, reader engagement and genre expectations.
Unless specifically agreed otherwise, developmental editing does not include line editing, copyediting, proofreading, fact-checking, sensitivity reading or rewriting the manuscript on the author’s behalf.
Editorial feedback represents my professional opinion and recommendations. The author retains full creative control and is free to accept or reject any editorial suggestion.
3. Quotes and Booking
Clients will normally be asked to provide information about their manuscript, including its genre, word count, current stage and editing requirements.
A quote will be based on the information and manuscript length supplied by the client.
A booking is confirmed once the agreed contract or project agreement has been accepted and any required deposit has been received.
If the submitted manuscript differs substantially from the manuscript originally quoted—for example, because the word count has significantly increased—I reserve the right to revise the fee or timeline before beginning the work.
4. Client Responsibilities
The client is responsible for providing the complete manuscript by the agreed date and in the requested file format.
The client should disclose any information reasonably necessary for the project, including deadlines, specific areas of concern and relevant publishing requirements.
Any substantial changes made to the manuscript after it has been submitted for editing may require a new quotation.
5. Fees and Payment
The project fee will be confirmed before work begins.
For full-manuscript projects, a 50% deposit is required to reserve the editing period, with the remaining balance payable upon delivery.
Manuscripts exceeding the word count included in the agreed package may be charged at the stated additional-word rate.
Unless otherwise stated, prices are quoted in euros.
Payment may be made using the payment methods shown on the invoice or agreed with the client.
6. Project Dates and Delivery
An estimated delivery date will be agreed before the project begins.
I will make every reasonable effort to meet the agreed deadline. If unforeseen circumstances make this impossible, I will contact the client as soon as reasonably practicable.
If the client submits the manuscript later than agreed, the original delivery date may no longer be available and a new project date may need to be arranged.
7. What the Client Receives
Deliverables depend on the service purchased and will be specified in the project agreement.
These may include an editorial report, manuscript comments, reader feedback and prioritized revision recommendations.
Editing does not guarantee publication, representation by an agent, acceptance by a publisher, positive reader reviews or commercial success.
8. Follow-Up Questions
Where follow-up support is included in a package, the client may ask reasonable clarification questions about the delivered editorial feedback within 14 days of delivery.
Follow-up support is intended to clarify the original edit. Substantial assessment of newly rewritten material is not included unless specifically agreed and may require a separate second-pass service.
9. Cancellation by the Client
If a client wishes to cancel a project, they should contact me as soon as possible.
Any contractual cancellation terms operate in addition to any statutory consumer withdrawal rights that apply.
Where work has already begun at the client’s request, payment may be due for work already performed where permitted by applicable law.
10. Cancellation by the Editor
In exceptional circumstances, I may need to cancel or reschedule a project.
If I cancel a project before providing the agreed service, any payment relating to work that will not be performed will be refunded.
11. Confidentiality
Manuscripts and unpublished materials supplied for editing will be treated as confidential.
I will not publish, share or use substantial portions of a client’s manuscript for marketing, training, portfolio material or other purposes without the client’s permission, except where disclosure is legally required or reasonably necessary to provide the contracted service.
12. Copyright
The client retains copyright in their manuscript and creative work.
Providing a manuscript for editing does not transfer ownership or copyright to the editor.
Copyright in my editorial reports, templates and other original editorial materials remains with me unless otherwise agreed. The client may use the editorial feedback for the purpose of revising and developing their own manuscript.
13. Testimonials and Portfolio Use
I will not identify a client, use their testimonial or display examples from their manuscript publicly without permission.
Where permission is granted, the agreed material may be used on my website, portfolio or promotional channels.
14. Professional Relationship
Developmental editing is a professional advisory service.
Editorial recommendations are made in good faith based on my professional judgement, but writing and publishing involve subjective and commercial considerations. Final decisions regarding the manuscript remain the client’s responsibility.
15. Liability
Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts liability where doing so would be unlawful.
I do not guarantee any particular publishing or commercial outcome resulting from editorial services.
16. Applicable Law
These Terms are governed by applicable German law. Where the client is a consumer, any mandatory consumer protections that apply to them remain unaffected.