Comprehensive Editing Terms

This agreement is made between Hillcrest Media Group, Inc. (“Hillcrest”) and the copyright holder of said book, assignee thereof, or anyone authorized to execute this Agreement ("Customer").

Customer acknowledges and understands that all edits are made in Microsoft Word using the “Track Changes” feature. Customer further acknowledges that it is his/her responsibility to accept and/or reject edits in Microsoft Word and that such training is not included in the editing fees charged.

Customer acknowledges that it is his/her responsibility to make any or all suggested changes made by the editor.

Customer acknowledges that should he/she wish to review a printed copy of any edited version, Customer is responsible for printing that copy (the edited versions will be available for download from the Hillcrest Author Center).

Hillcrest reserves the right to verify word count as reported by Customer and charge Customer any additional editing fees based on any discrepancies Hillcrest finds in word count.

There is no guarantee by Hillcrest that Customer will like or accept the edits made by our editors. Once the editing process has commenced, Customer is not entitled to a refund of any kind, unless the editor fails to edit the manuscript in the times set forth below, and said breach isn’t cured within five business days.

Comprehensive Editing Process

For the Comprehensive Edit, Customer shall have the two editing rounds completed prior to the step in which the manuscript is typeset. The total cost is $0.035 per word. A minimum fee of $99.00 per round will apply. This includes one 30-minute phone call with the editor assigned to the project.

The following terms describe the responsibilities of our editors for the Comprehensive Edit:

Round I

Our editors will:

  • Edit the manuscript with an eye for the grammatical errors and inconsistencies consistent with a copyedit, as well as offer developmental suggestions and queries to improve the clarity, arc, and soundness of your book’s argument (in the case of nonfiction); and the characterization, dialogue, and plot development (in the case of fiction)

  • Ensure that the book’s execution is consistent throughout the manuscript

  • Highlight text that is erroneous, repetitive, or extraneous

  • Conduct a 30-minute telephone consultation with you following the first edit to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the editorial recommendations

Round II

  • Proofread the revised manuscript in a second round of editing designed to eliminate any remaining typos, errors, or inconsistencies. If new text was incorporated as part of your revision process, we will copyedit this material during the second round as well.

Our editors for this package will not:

  • Provide a complete fact-check of the manuscript

  • Edit your revisions in response to the second edit. Any errors incorporated into the manuscript after you have approved the editor’s revisions will remain in the final manuscript.

  • Proofread the typeset version of the manuscript; your editor will only see the Word version

  • Secure any necessary permissions for reprinted material including, but not limited to: song lyrics, photos, poems, newspaper articles, or text. It is the Customer's responsibility to secure permission from the original source's publisher for any such material that exceeds fair use.

How the Comprehensive Editing process works:

  • The editor will have the original manuscript edited within 20 business days from the Upload Date. The edited manuscript will be uploaded in a format in which you can see the edits/deletions, and you will have the choice to either accept or reject them. In cases where the manuscript exceeds 100,000 words, additional editing time may be required.

  • After you review the edited manuscript and address any queries or suggestions, you will upload the revised manuscript to the Hillcrest Author Center and note your availability for the telephone consultation. After you have had your telephone consultation with your editor and upload the revised manuscript to our Author Center, the second round of editing will commence. Your editor will have these final revisions uploaded within 10 business days.

Previously Copyrighted Material Found by Hillcrest Editors

Any material in Customer’s manuscript that appears to be the intellectual property of another will be flagged by Hillcrest’s editors. The editing process shall cease until such time as Customer provides permissions for using the intellectual property of another or can provide reasonable evidence that said work is in the public domain or is the product of the Customer.

Copyright of the Edited Manuscript

Customer shall retain sole ownership of the original manuscript submitted to Hillcrest as well as any contribution of the editor through revision, editing, suggestion, or idea. Any contribution of the editor will be considered to be a work made for hire within the meaning of the U.S. Copyright Act or by assignment (“Intellectual Property”).

To the extent that any contribution of the editor to the work is not considered to be a work made for hire, the editor and Hillcrest agree to assign such interest to the Customer.

Hillcrest further agrees that any material submitted to the editor, including data, transcripts, ideas, and information and any association between the Customer, the editor, and the submitted work will be kept strictly confidential.