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This information applies ONLY to Editing assignments, which are billed hourly. Payment for Science Writing is billed by the piece and negotiated between us ahead of time. To discuss that, contact me personally.
FAQs about Editing
How to send a paper. Please check my availability by sending a brief email and we can set a date for your manuscript. Once I receive it, a manuscript usually takes 3-4 days to complete. What does editing cost? $75/hr, billed in half-hour increments. Most papers take 3-6 billing hours. R01-length grants can take longer (up to 10-12 hours), depending on how much work they require. Why don't you use a tiered payment system like many editing companies do? Because my time is my time, whether I am 1) checking spelling or 2) re-writing a Specific Aims page. Clearly, a grammar check will take minimal time, while a re-write will take longer and cost more (see "How do you edit a paper" below.) What if I need my work back faster? Occasionally, I can complete short (<3000 word) documents in 24 hours at a rush rate of $95/hr. But we must arrange this in advance. How do you edit a paper or grant? I do what you want. Some investigators want copy editing only (what some editing companies call a language or grammar check). Others want extensive rewriting or input on the paper's rationale or whether the language is speculative, or whether a grant's Aims test the hypothesis. (Editing companies like SpringerNature, call this a "Developmental Edit"; others call it their "Premium" service.) I am happy to do whatever you ask: minimal copy-editing or major rewriting. Whichever you choose, you will find my prices competitive with those charged by reputable editing companies. Do you work weekends? Not often, but I will if a client is under extreme deadline pressure. For requests asking immediate turn-around on a weekend or (American) holiday, I charge the rush rate of $95/hr rather than the usual $75/hr. How do I pay? When a project is finished I send you an invoice, and payment is due in 30 days. You can pay by check, wire transfer, PayPal, Venmo, or Japanese Postal Money Order. If you have a Bank of America account, you can also pay via Zelle. Very sorry, but I do not accept credit cards. What is "Peer Review Scientific Writing and Editing"? It is the legal name of my company. I use it because some clients or institutions find it easier to pay a company than an individual. But be assured that I am the only employee at "Peer Review"! So only I will see your manuscript. What about confidentiality? Work is totally confidential. And, if you like, I will gladly sign a confidentiality agreement. Do I have to include your name in my paper's Acknowledgements? No. But many clients do, and for that I am very very grateful! Why are there no testimonials on this website? Simply because I never believe them! But I understand concerns about quality, and given that editing work is confidential, I realize it is difficult to know you are choosing the right person. So I offer two remedies:
If you refer a new client to me, I will give you 4-hours ($300) credit for future work. Note: just giving someone my name is not sufficient. That referral must result in completion of an assignment with that new client. Why should I choose your editing service over other companies? 1. I am a scientist. Not only do I read your paper for proper English usage but I read it (and grants) the way reviewers do. And if you request, I'll tell you what I think a reviewer might ask. However, if you don't, I am happy to simply copy-edit your grant or paper. 2. I work fast. Once we set a date, my turn-around time is usually 2-3 days. 3. There is no "middle man" or mystery about who is editing your paper. You and I communicate directly about your manuscript either by email ([email protected]), phone (858 922-3191 (in the US)) or text/WhatsApp. Anything else I need to know? I do not accept wire transfer payments for invoices of $100 or less. To minimize bank fees for checks or wire transfers, I can "run a tab," meaning, edit many manuscripts within a defined time period (say, 6 months) and then invoice you for multiple pieces. But you must tell me in advance that you are interested in that arrangement so we can work out the timeframe. I work a lot, so if you can please contact me in advance if you want to send a manuscript. Thanks! |
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