Freently Asked estions

What forms of payment do you accept?

We currently process all estimates and invoicing via PayPal. PayPal is a secure online banking service and does not require the buyer to have an account. Major credit and debit cards are accepted. PayPal, like credit card companies, charges a nominal fee to process transactions; this fee will be included in the price of your project. Find out more about PayPal services here.



How do your rates compare with other editors?

Fine Fuse pricing is structured to serve clients of all backgrounds and means while providing top-notch service. We value our clients' successes and strive to do our part in supplying quality products to the English-reading world. Industry averages for freelance editors can be found at https://www.the-efa.org/rates/.



What are your payment terms?

Payment terms are established on a project-by-project basis as determined to be mutually beneficial to both the client and the editor. All agreements will include a non-refundable downpayment prior to the start of work. Incremental installments are scheduled throughout the project as agreed upon by both parties. Most typically, the terms are half down and half on completion. Invoices are payable upon receipt. Fine Fuse reserves the right to charge interest on invoices in arrears past 30 days. Unpaid installments may result in suspension of a project until the account has been brought current.



What are your editing and/or style standards?

For grammar, punctuation, word usage, formatting, and citations, Fine Fuse adheres to the Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition or current version). For American English spellings, we use the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. For British English spellings, we use the Cambridge online dictionary. Clients are welcome to request other styles guides and we will do our best to accommodate, but these are our default guides. They may or may not correspond to publisher standards as each publishing house has its own style preferences and in-house editors.



Are you affiliated with any publishers or literary agents?

We are a fully independent editing firm with no affiliations or obligations to any outside agencies. While we may have occasion to offer a referral to a publisher or an agent as a gesture of goodwill, we do not receive any compensation for doing so.



What types or genres of work do you accept?

We happily accept all kinds of written work, both fiction and non-fiction, with specialties in historical, women's, and Christian fiction. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns about the nature of your work.



Can I see a sample of your editing work?

We do have samples of past work available for reference at your request. Usually, though, we find it more effective to do a sample edit of your work so that you have a personal experience with us to not only appraise our skills but how we relate to you as a writer.



Do you meet clients in person?

Editing is a profession that is handily operated remotely, and for that reason we are able to offer our services to English writers throughout the world. In order to make our relationship more personable—more "concrete," if you will—we provide video conferencing or phone calls at your convenience and comfort level. Prospective clients located in the Twin Cities metro area (Minnesota, United States) are welcome to request an in-person appointment and we will do our best to accommodate. Whether you are near or far, we are excited to meet you and hear about your project.