Working with Bruce Smith

In editing your paper, I will examine

• word choice and usage (semantic accuracy and precision)
• sentence structure (syntax), grammar, and logic
• paragraph, section, and overall manuscript structure and cohesion
• content accuracy, logic, readability, and concision
• argument clarity and strength
• scientific–academic style*—correctness and consistency of tone, register (formality), and reading level
• mechanics—punctuation, capitalization, spelling, abbreviations, and other aspects of mechanics
• document format—for example, citation and reference list formats, headings, page numbering, positioning of figures and tables, and installation of tables of contents and figures.

* In addition to being written in accordance with general formal style, most scholarly–academic papers will be written in accordance with a specified scientific style (e.g., APA, AMA, ICMJE [formerly URMSBJ].).

Term of agreement. Our working relationship is a verbal agreement that either party can terminate at any time for any reason, without explanation, if need be.

Yes. If you are a new client, I will typically first edit one or two pages of your paper and then return the edited content to you for review. On the basis of this initial editing, you’ll be in a better position to choose between premium editing and specified fee editing. As soon as you have two double-spaced sample pages of text (from any section of your paper) that are ready for editing, please email me the pages. I typically return editing samples within one day.

No. Some editing agencies charge authors on a per-word basis. However, a per-word fee structure cannot take into consideration the varying levels of writing quality in the drafts that authors submit for editing. I charge by the hour because doing so is fairer for each individual author.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email me (at rbruce108@yahoo.com) or call me (at 415-215- 7535).

Determining my availability to edit your document.  Send me an email that tells me (a) the double-spaced length of your paper, (b) the date and approximate time that you will send me your content for editing, and (c) the date and approximate time that you will need me to return your edited paper. My email address is rbruce108@yahoo.com

Please also include any personal instructions and formal guidelines that pertain to your document’s format, content, or scientific writing style. For example, if your document is a written course assignment, please send me any guidelines or rubric that your professor provides. For journal articles, please tell me the name of the journal so that I can access the journal’s author guidelines.

Within one business day of receiving your email, I will confirm my availability to edit your paper (or inform you that I am not available).

Term of agreement. Our working relationship is a verbal agreement that either party can terminate at any time for any reason, without explanation, if need be.

Reserving my editing service.  After I confirm that I can edit your paper, you can reserve my editing service by paying a “retainer” (a service reservation fee). This fee is an advance partial payment of your eventual total editing fee (not an additional fee).  My retainer fee depends on your document’s page length:

Retainer fee

• 1–19 double-spaced pages:  $10 per page
• 20 or more double-spaced pages:  $250 total

To pay your retainer fee.  For payment instructions, see “How do I pay editing fees?”

You can pay your retainer and any subsequent editing fee by  PayPal, credit card (online), Google Wallet, or check (see instructions below).

When making a payment, please include an identifying phrase or cover note that states your name, contact information (email address or telephone number), and document title.

To pay your retainer or any subsequent editing fee via PayPal, simply click on PayPal.Me/BruceSmithBCEN and enter the amount you wish to pay.

To pay your retainer or any subsequent editing fee via credit card, tell me that you would like to do so.  I’ll email you an electronic invoice that you can pay online via the secure payment service SQUARE.

To pay your retainer or any subsequent editing fee via Google Wallet, use my Gmail address: rbruce108@gmail.com Then please send a brief email to my Yahoo address (rbruce108@yahoo.com) stating that you have sent your retainer payment.

To pay your retainer or any subsequent editing fee by check, simply mail a check, payable to “Bruce Smith” to

Bruce Smith
2171 Thirty-second Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116

For papers that will receive two or more editing drafts, you and I will establish a writing–editing schedule that will fit your personal needs and your paper’s due-date requirement.

Turnaround time—the amount of time I’ll need to edit and return your paper to you—will be determined by your paper’s page length. Our writing–editing schedule will fit your paper’s due date requirement.

You will receive your invoice along with the paper’s edited final draft via email. Payment in full will be due on the date that the invoice is emailed to you.

For editing fees exceeding $500, clients who send their payment within three (3) days of receiving an invoice receive a $50 discount.

For long documents, payment over time (e.g., 2–3 months) can sometimes be arranged. Clients who wish to pay an editing fee over time must arrange to do so with me well in advance of their document’s final-draft completion date.

An editing fee paid more than 30 days after invoice issuance is past due. Past-due bills will be charged a 15% late fee.

Ordinarily, I edit authors’ papers in sections (i.e., authors send me drafts of their papers one section at a time). While I edit one section of your paper, you can continue to work on the remainder of your paper. Sections that I return to you will contain my editing notations; by reading these notations, you’ll further refine your professional writing skill. Editing your paper in sections will also shorten the time needed to complete your paper and minimize your editing fee.

Term of agreement. Our working relationship is a verbal agreement that either party can terminate at any time for any reason, without explanation, if need be.

For more information, please email me (at rbruce108@yahoo.com) or call me (at 415-215-7535). Feel free to call me directly, without prior appointment. I can usually be reached by phone Monday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.