I serve writers who require a professional, objective view on the impact of their artistic and creative work.
These are the terms on which I do business. Read them before you pay me.
Because when you pay me, you will be bound by them.
1. Terms that apply to all aspects of our business relationship
These terms apply to whatever paid service I provide to you, whether book coaching, editing, or something else.
Cancellation
Of course, you may withdraw from our coaching agreement at any time but if you withdraw or cancel, my policy is not to refund any money you have already paid to me. This is because by the time you pay me anything, I will have – at the very least – tailored a plan of support for you and your book; and I will have carved out and protected time in my schedule for you despite applications from other writers.
Application form
If we agree to work together, I may ask you to complete my application form. All the terms in that form are incorporated into (meaning, added to) this set of terms which forms our contract when you pay me to support your book.
My liability
It’s really hard to think what liability I might attract by helping you to write a better book. (There’s a hostage to fortune, if you like!)
In case I’m being unimaginative, let’s make it absolutely clear that in entering into our contract to work together, you agree that I am not and will not and cannot be construed to be liable to you or to any third party for loss or damages of any kind suffered by you or that third party. Period.
Applicable law
I hope there will never be any dispute between us but for the record, these terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales and the courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute.
Deadlines
I undertake to give your work equal attention with all my other clients. Your obligation is to submit your assignments by the time and date I ask you.
Usually, you should send your homework so that it is in my inbox by 8 am UK time on the Monday morning before your scheduled call.
If you miss your submission deadline, I will not have time to give deep thought to your work before our call. That means you will get less benefit from coaching.
If you persistently miss deadlines, we will need to discuss and replan and possibly, even, sadly part ways.
Rescheduling calls
Please don’t reschedule a booked call (unless an emergency has happened) because the whole point of coaching is to bring your raw, authentic self to the call. You don’t have to feel “ready” for the call. Otherwise, why would you be paying me to help you?
If you have trouble finding the time or headspace to work on your book, and feel a desire to put our call off to a later date, please email me as soon as you start to feel you’re in trouble.
If you fail to show up for a call, I will not be liable to refund any payment nor to reschedule.
Emergencies
If you are prevented from attending a scheduled call because an emergency such as illness or injury incapacitates you or someone you care for, email me as soon as possible. Head the email ‘URGENT’ and we will find a solution.
Payment
You make payment in advance for each coaching call to secure my time; for my editing service, you pay a 50% deposit and the balance on delivery of the edited manuscript.
I charge in pounds sterling (GBP). You make payment by credit card on the secure payment platform Stripe. (I email you a link to make payment).
Payment is due on receipt of the link and is non-refundable.
I never enter into contingent fee or royalty-share arrangements.
Business Information
My business name is Ruth Pedley, trading as Ruth Bullivant Editing & Book Coaching.
I am registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) in the UK under the number GB239376182. VAT at 20% is applied to the cost of my services to all UK and EU clients, and to US LLCs. I account to the UK tax authorities for all VAT I collect.
I am contactable by email on the address I give you when you apply for my service.
Guarantees
I give no guarantee: of monetary success, of finding an agent or a publisher, of reader enjoyment, nor of achieving “bestseller” status.
In my coaching service, I guarantee you an honest and productive experience that will help you to get clear about how to move your book on to the finish.
In my editing service, I guarantee you a careful and thorough edit to the best of my ability; regrettably, there is no such thing as a 100% perfect edit.-
2. Terms that also apply specifically when I edit your work
Before you hire me
When we agree to go ahead with your editing service, we determine:
- What sort of edit your manuscript needs (developmental, OR line, OR copyediting, OR proofreading).
- We agree a price, and a deposit to secure my time, and
- We agree a timetable for you to hand over your manuscript and for me to return it to you, fully edited.
Payment
When we agree to go ahead, I will ask you to make payment of a non-refundable 50% deposit to secure my time in advance; the balance of full payment is due upon delivery of the edited manuscript.
It is up to you to deliver your complete manuscript on the date we agree. If you don’t, you might either have to forfeit your deposit, or to pay a higher amount for your edits than we initially agreed because the pressure on my schedule will have increased.