T&Cs

Contract of Proofreading and Editing Services

[Last updated: 10th February 2026]

These terms and conditions are here to help us both clearly understand what to expect when working together. If anything is unclear or you’d like to discuss something further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—I’m always happy to help.

General Overview

These Terms & Conditions outline how I, Alisha (AJM Proofreading), provide editorial services. They help us both understand what to expect and ensure a smooth working relationship.

My pronouns are she/her. I’m committed to creating a safe, respectful and supportive space for every writer. I stand against discrimination and value working with writers from all backgrounds, identities and experiences.

Proofreading and editorial services will be agreed between us via email.
Services may include line editing, copyediting, proofreading, formatting and blurb writing.
I complete all work independently, using my own equipment and working at times and locations that suit my schedule.
All works completed are done by me personally. I do not subcontract projects or share your work with third parties.
I am self-employed and responsible for my own tax and National Insurance contributions.
By agreeing to my T&Cs via email, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted the terms and conditions. This confirms that we are entering into an agreement for editorial services.

Project Terms

All editing work is completed in Microsoft Word using Track Changes.

Before work begins, we will agree via email:

The estimated project timeline (based on my assessment of the work required).
The project fee, based on a quotation I provide after reviewing the material and timeframe
The date you will supply the material to me.
The date by which I will return the completed work.

If, once I receive the full material (or during the early stages of editing), it becomes clear that the project requires significantly more work than originally indicated by the brief or sample provided, I reserve the right to renegotiate the fee and/or deadline, or to decline the project.

Quotation and Fees

I will provide a quotation after reviewing a sample of your work (typically 500 words) and discussing your requirements with you.

Once we have agreed on the full project fee, it will remain fixed unless the word count increases or additional services are requested. If this happens, I will provide a revised quotation and updated completion date.

Fees are charged per 2,000 words and confirmed in writing via email. For documents shorter than this, a bespoke quotation will be provided.
I will issue an invoice at the start of the project, once both parties are happy with the quotation.
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your project. Work will begin once the deposit has been received.
The remaining 50% balance is due after completion and before the final edited files are returned to you.
If the scope of the project changes, I may provide a revised quotation and invoice before continuing work.
All invoices are issued in pounds sterling (£).
Payment will be made via direct bank transfer using the details provided on the invoice.

If payment is not received by the agreed date, I may need to apply a small late payment fee and/or pause work or withhold delivery of the completed files until payment is made.
In cases where payment is significantly delayed, I may have to cancel the project.

Cancellation

Client Cancellation

You may cancel a service at any time for any reason by providing written notice via email.

If work has already started, you will still be charged for any work completed:

The 50% deposit is non-refundable.
If more than 50% of the project has been completed, you will be billed for the work done, calculated at my agreed rate per 2,000 words.

Editor Cancellation

I may cancel a service at any time for any reason by providing written notice via email. In such cases, I will provide a full refund of any fees paid.

Extraordinary Circumstances

If extraordinary circumstances arise (e.g., illness, family crisis, bereavement) that affect either party:

Client: Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss the cancellation or delay. I aim to be fair and helpful in finding a solution.
Editor: I will notify you in writing at the earliest opportunity and do my best to renegotiate the project timeline. Fees will be refunded

Confidentiality & GDPR

I will keep the nature and content of your work strictly confidential and will not share it with anyone other than you or your authorised contractors, without your prior written consent.

Your files will not be uploaded to external websites or distributed to third parties, unless specifically authorised by you in writing, except where required by law.

I take your privacy seriously and handle your personal data in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

I will only use your personal information (e.g., name, email, contact details) for purposes related to the provision of editorial services, invoicing, and communication about your project.
Your files and personal information will be stored securely and only accessed by me.
You have the right to request access to or ask for deletion of your personal data at any time.

By working with me, you allow me to handle your personal data as described above, solely to provide my services.

Copyright

All content you provide for the editing project remains your property. You agree to hold me harmless from any claims, liabilities, or expenses arising from potential or actual copyright or trademark infringement related to your content.

Once full payment for my services has been received, any material created as part of the editing process (such as tracked changes, comments, formatting, or other editorial input) becomes your property, unless we have agreed otherwise in writing.

Disclaimer

I strive to provide high-quality editorial work, but there are some limits to what I can guarantee. This section clarifies those limits so we both know what to expect.

Due to the subjective nature of stylistic editorial work, I cannot guarantee that the edited files will be completely free of errors.
I am not responsible for how you use the edited files or for any changes made to them after delivery.
I cannot guarantee that agents, publishers, or other third parties will accept your submission following my edits.
I am not responsible for plagiarism in your document.
I am not responsible for files lost, damaged, or corrupted by your systems or any third-party platforms that you have asked me to use during the project.
I am not responsible for missed deadlines caused by delays in receiving your files.
I cannot guarantee compatibility with every software or platform; the Word files I return may not work perfectly on all systems.
I am not responsible for changes made to your files by third parties (e.g., publishers or agents) after my edits.
I am not responsible for delays caused by unforeseeable events beyond either party’s control, including internet outages, emergencies, or pandemics, etc.