TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF WORKClients must agree to the following terms and conditions in order to commission a service from The Book Specialist.

Deadlines
Deadlines will be agreed before the project commences. We reserve the right to alter the deadline if the brief changes and in the event that the client fails to meet agreed deadlines during the course of the project.

Services
In commissioning The Book Specialist, you are agreeing that we will carry out the service according to these definitions:

Service	Definition
Author mentoring	Supporting the author via email, phone and/or in-person meetings – exact terms agreed by The Book Specialist and the client.
Ghostwriting	Either rewriting a book, or writing one from scratch – exact terms agreed by The Book Specialist and the client.
Budget book critique	One-page report on synopsis and 10,000-word extract indicating general impressions, key areas for development and publishing potential.
Comprehensive book critique	Report on the big picture of the book, summarising opinions on and recommendations within certain areas: usually genre, audience, title, writing style, characterisation, setting, plot, structure and readiness for publication.
Development editing	Thorough development of all aspects of the book, either suggestions-based or hands on.
Copy-editing	Language editing, focusing on ensuring accurate, consistent, logical, flowing, clear text. The editor will also flag glaring (not minor) developmental issues. The service includes checking the material once only.
Proofreading	Checks for accuracy and consistency in spelling, punctuation and grammar. The service includes checking the material once only.

Editors
Charlie handles ghostwriting, book critiquing, mentoring and development editing projects personally. She does not get involved in copy-editing and proofreading jobs, which are handled by the projects manager and allocated to one of The Book Specialist editors. The client will not usually have direct contact with the editor, and will direct questions to Ally, projects manager, in the first instance.

Cost
Any subsequent changes to the agreed brief and deadlines after the project has started could incur additional fees. Costs agreed at the start of a project are not negotiable at a later stage: the client has no right to reduce or refuse agreed payment based on style of work or interpretation of the brief.

For proofreading, copy-editing, book critiquing, development editing and book rewriting, should the client decide to terminate the project before completion, we will invoice the full project fee subject to the usual payment terms. For author mentoring and full book ghostwriting, should the client decide to terminate the project before completion, we will invoice the work completed to date.

Invoicing
For UK clients project fees up to and including £300 are payable in full in advance. Where a project fee exceeds £300 half will be payable upfront as security and the remainder will be payable within 14 days of the client receiving the edited file. For non-UK clients, all project fees are payable in full in advance. For projects with long timelines, we reserve the right to request payment in instalments.

Payment
Invoices are payable within 14 days by cheque, direct bank transfer or PayPal. Clients from outside the UK must factor in any cross-currency transfer fees.

Under the terms of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, we reserve the right to charge interest and compensation should payment exceed 14 days. Should an invoice remain outstanding after 14 days, we reserve the right to refuse to undertake any further work, including work in progress, until all outstanding invoices are paid. We take non-payment of invoices very seriously and will instigate legal proceedings and instruct debt recovery agents where necessary.

We reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions, with notice to the client.