Terms & Conditions

The terms and conditions on this page are for both client and editor. They are intended to create a clear understanding of what is expected of both parties in order to promote a smooth experience. If there are questions not answered here or in our FAQ system, please feel free to reach out to us.

These terms & conditions apply to the work done for the client by the editor Dr. Plot Twist (DPT).

1. An agreement will be made that stipulates the scope of work, which includes the services being requested and what they entail, the name of the project, the wordcount, and the timeline. The dates where manuscripts or other items/services will be delivered to and from the editor are also included in this agreement.

2. DPT prides itself on lasting relationships with clients. Both parties agree to create a respectful environment with open communication and maintain a no-bullying policy.

3. DPT’s preferred method of communication is via email at sonya@drplottwist.com. DPT or an associate of DPT will respond within 3 business days. If no response has been achieved, please email again or reach out to DPT via the website.

4. DPT edits via a Word document, using track changes (in line and comments), in US English, and uses Chicago Manual Style for fiction editing. If a write-up or written service is required, it will normally be sent via a PDF document.

5. When more than one round is booked, the client will edit in the Word Document and send it back with questions as a reply to the comment or in a comment. If the comment was addressed, delete it or click resolve. DPT requests that Track Changes be kept on during the editing.

6. The manuscript or required items must be submitted by

7. The work will be carried out on DPT’s devices, in a space of DPT’s choosing, and will be done so unsupervised by the client or any other entity save for the editor. DPT is under no obligation to allow the client to view documents until the agreed upon return date.

8. The work will not willingly be shared with anyone and will be deleted from the desktop within seven (7) business days of delivery.

9. The work will be returned to the client on the agreed upon return date given that the submission date of manuscript and/or materials are sent on the dates stipulated.

10. In the case of illness, injury, or unforeseen circumstance that creates a delay in the timeline, DPT will notify the client of the extension.

11. Furthermore, the timeline may be altered depending on the condition of the manuscript, editing rate per hour, and other circumstances such as initial word count at the time of submission. If this is the case, DPT will inform the client of the situation, which often requires an additional round, and reserves the right to renegotiate payment and/or timeline.

12. If additional tasks are requested during the term of the agreement and/or there is more than a 250-word difference in wordcount between the end of the previous round and the beginning of the next round, DPT reserves the right to request payment for the additional words and/or renegotiate timeline. In this instance, in terms of wordcount, renegotiation of timeline is usually reserved for instances of substantial word count differences of 3000 words or more.

13. In a hybrid edit or developmental edit, content created for purpose of an example, usually left in comments or in the text, are not the intellectual property of the client. These are examples used by the EDITOR to explain or to help put the technique or suggestion into perspective by the client and therefore MUST NOT be used and not copy and pasted. The intent is to inspire by giving those suggestions/examples. The one exception to this rule is if the SENTENCE REWRITE ADD-ON has been activated. A client may request a SENTENCE REWRITE ADD-ON to be activated in between rounds in order to use those words.

14. DPT claims no royalties or subsidiary rights on projects being worked on.

15. DPT will not willingly share files, upload it to any network, or make them public without the consent of the client.

16. Unless previously arranged, payments are done via PayPal invoicing. The client can opt for € euro or $US dollar invoicing. If US dollar is not requested the invoice will be in euros, and the rate adjusted.

17. The client agrees to pay a non-refundable downpayment of 10%-20% at the time of booking in order to ensure the dates. The percentage depends on the scope of the project and will be defined by DPT. This payment binds them to these terms and conditions.

18. For the remainder, a payment plan may be requested by the client in order to pay throughout the length of the project. There is a fee per each installment. The number of installments depends on the scope of the work, the total amount of the project, and the term. When they are due can be achieved between the client and DPT. In general, if the package is more than $1200 or 1150€, the client can opt for the maximum # of 5 payments, as long as those payments are all made within the agreement term or final submission date.

19. Alternatively, the client can opt for a one-time payment that will have no associated fees.

20. No files will be delivered without the total amount owed to DPT having a zero-balance. At the time of return, the client may request screenshots (chosen at random by DPT) if there are doubts. Any outstanding balance is subject to late fees.

21.  Because life happens, DPT understands there may be need to cancel, abandon or pause a project. For more information on on these please click here: Ending or Pausing

22. DPT reserves the right to terminate any agreement if one or more of these terms are breached.

23. At times, DPT may subcontract some work, such as proofreading or beta reading. If this is the case, DPT will inform the client prior to subcontracting. DPT ensures they work with respectful professional within DPT’s network.

24. The client warrants the manuscript and/or any modifications or additions to the manuscript are free of any defamatory, libelous, or unlawful items, and does not violate or infringe any copyright laws, trademark laws, rights of privacy, rights of publicity, or any other statutory common law, or rights of other parties. Verifying the aforementioned information is the sole responsibility of the client.

25. The client claims the manuscript is/was an original idea created by the client. The client warrants the manuscript is/was not written by AI or any artificial intelligence. In the situation where the client has co-written and/or is purchasing this service on behalf of another individual, the client guarantees all rights have been obtained legally, lawfully, and ethically, and the client is permitted by law, partnership, and/or agreement to act in regards to the manuscript.

26. DPT is not responsible for bad reviews, marketability, or public perception of the manuscript and/or items.

27. DPT is as thorough as possible, but there is no guarantee that manuscript will be 100% error-proof.

28. DPT reserves the right to request their name not be mentioned in the work, otherwise the client agrees to list Dr. Plot Twist as the editor in the interior of the book.

29. DPT reserves the right to use the cleint’s name and title of the work in promotional material unless otherwise stipulated by the client.

30. DPT reserves the right to terminate an agreement and refuse work if any of the terms and conditions are breached, if there is defamation, slander, plagiarism, hate speech, harassment, unlawful conduct, threats directed at DPT, threats at named individuals or groups, misappropriation, or if DPT finds the material offensive, harmful, unlawful, or inappropriate. Furthermore, DPT reserves the right to refuse any future work for clients with previously terminated agreements or unpaid balances.

This agreement is subject to the laws of Portugal and both myself and the Client agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the Portuguese courts.