You ensure the manuscript is in Standard Manuscript Format (SMF), which most publishers and editors prefer. SMF is 12-point Courier type, double-spaced, with margins of at least an inch on all sides. Each new chapter begins one-third of the way down the page. All the pages are numbered.

Print out your properly formatted manuscript and ship it to us. We edit the printed version (hard copy) using red ink and proof marks that we explain in our printed report. The report includes explanations for every suggestion we make on the manuscript and is thorough as well as educational. Each report is unique and addresses your manuscript specifically, and when appropriate, it explains immutable facts about grammar, punctuation, Chicago Style, etc.

We return the manuscript by Priority Mail with Tracking (if you live in the United States), and we notify you when the package is shipped. You can track the package at www.usps.com. If you live outside the United States, we ship in the manner that is best for getting valuable packages to your country.

Pros of hard-copy editing

• You receive a highly valuable, printed report you can study and use to upgrade your manuscript. You have the report forever and can refer to it to improve all your writing.
• The human eye sees more when items are printed, so hard-copy editing tends to be the absolute highest quality available.
• You maintain complete creative control and can make the changes as you see fit, in your own words.
• You can even ignore our suggestions, if you disagree with them.
• You learn a great deal through the process of inputting changes.

• You have to format the manuscript correctly, print it out, box it up, and ship it to us.
• You pay for shipping of the manuscript, both to us and from us.
• Shipping takes a little time.
• You are responsible for making our suggested changes to your electronic file.
• We keep no copies of your work, so if you lose the edited manuscript, it is lost forever

We offer a printout service, too. You can send us your manuscript as a Microsoft Word file in SMF and we will print it out. You won't have to bother to package or mail your manuscript and will save on shipping costs to us, but you will have to pay 15 cents a page for us to print it out. The Editing Request Form does not have a line for this additional service, so be sure to add it in and include that amount with the payment. You still have to pay the return shipping and handling, but sending us the electronic file may save you a few days as well as keep you from having to find a shipping box and go to the post office to ship the manuscript. If you choose to use this service, send us the file electronically with an e-mail explaining that you want to pay for us to print it out for a hard-copy edit. You then have the choice of printing out the hard-copy Editing Request Form and mailing it with your check or using the electronic-copy Editing Request Form and paying by PayPal or by calling us with your credit card information. If you are ready to send your manuscript in hard copy, click on If you are ready to send your manuscript in hard copy, click on Editing Request and follow the prompts. As soon as we receive payment, we let you know an estimated turnaround date.