Contrary to popular belief, starving artists don’t actually wish to starve. Ergo, I do not work for free. I expect payment upon receipt of invoice. I usually require a down payment, which I can waive if I feel like it, or if I’ve worked with you before. For larger jobs, I break up payment as follows:
Retainer
First half of project
Second half of project
Final edits
What happens if you don’t like the way I write, edit or work? Do you still have to pay me? Well, yes and no. First, any retainer paid is non-refundable. The retainer covers my initial time in the researching or interviewing necessary for a project start-up. Beyond that, I work hard to make sure my clients are happy with my work. I wouldn’t have much of a reputation if I let my clients walk away unhappy. So the first step is simply to tell me you don’t like it. Since I send samples of the work long before it’s finished, you’ll know if I’m on the right track. If not, just let me know and I’ll change it. It’s as simple as that. If we really can’t work things out, then yes, I will give you your money back for all but the initial retainer; but keep in mind I will continue to own the copyright on any material I produced.
I maintain the strictest confidentiality. For your peace of mind, I have a standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that I am willing to sign to make you feel better. You’ll have to ask for it though—I maintain confidentiality regardless of whether or not I sign the NDA, so the document makes little difference to me.
Payment options: As you might have noted, I accept payments through PayPal. That is the quickest way for you to get me started on projects. I get this cool little instant notification that your payment has been received and I can get out the pen and paper right away and get started. For those of you who are still phobic about on-line payment methods (which I can actually understand), snail mail is still an acceptable method. I accept personal checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, pieces of gold, diamonds, Google or Microsoft stocks and the like. We no longer accept first-born children, as I have passed the age where I am capable of keeping up with the two I have. So, you’re on your own there.
If you have any other questions I have not addressed, feel free to e-mail me, or even pick up the phone and call me. I actually answer my own phone without making you go through hoops to speak to a live flesh-and-blood human being. If my husband answers, I apologize in advance.