FAQ

How long does proofreading take?

It’s the usual “how long is a piece of string” question! It depends on three main criteria:

  • how long your text is
  • how urgent it is (and how busy I am when I receive it)
  • what state the text is currently in – is it relatively error-free and this is really a ‘last pass’, has it been written by someone for whom English is a second language, or is it somewhere in between? The cleaner the text is, the less time it should take me.

As a rule of thumb, I allow 2 weeks for an 80,000-word novel. Smaller projects can be easily slotted in between other jobs and can be completed much more speedily.

But I absolutely need it tomorrow!!

Then please tell me that as soon as possible! If it’s really urgent, I can make your project top priority and have it back to you as quickly as possible. Note that I can only offer a 24-hour service on smaller projects; unfortunately, even if Superwoman were a proofreader, she couldn’t proofread a novel in such a short time (and you should be very suspicious of anyone who claims they can!)

What about confidentiality?

Copyright remains with you and your work will never be shared with any third party. I will delete your work off my hard drive and any cloud backups three months after completing our contract. This gives allows enough time for anything to get lost in the post, an email to accidentally be deleted, etc., and to still have a backup.

How should I send you my text?

By email is best. Attach your Word document or PDF file and send it to marymacproof@gmail.com. I will always confirm receipt, so if you don’t hear back from me 24 hours after sending, please send a follow-up email. If you would rather send a printed copy, send me an email and I will forward my postal address. Please note that I am based in Germany, and postage from other countries can be costly.

In which formats do you work?

As suits you: I’m trained to work in hard copy with BSI symbols, on PDF using stamps or comments, or in MS Word using Track Changes.

How and when should I pay you?

I accept payment by PayPal or bank transfer, in £,€ or $. Full details will be sent to you when we agree to work together. For projects over 10,000 words, I require a 50% down payment, with the final balance to be settled within 14 days of completion.

What are you doing in Germany? I don’t want to travel to Germany.

Why ever not?! Bavaria’s beautiful! 🙂 No need, though. I work remotely, with all communication over the internet. That being said, if you are in the area and would like to chat face-to-face, I’d love that!