1. Introduction
Welcome to The Abundant Word. I am delighted that you have chosen to visit this website. This section aims to make using this website and any products or services pleasant, and expectations clear. I appreciate you taking time to read them.
1.1 The terms of use apply to this website. By using this site or any services, you are bound by these terms. If you do not agree with these terms, please discontinue use of the site.
1.2 Theabundantword.com is hosted by WordPress. You may want to review their terms of service as well.
I hope you enjoy your visit to The Abundant Word.
2. Comments and Engagement
2.1 Please feel welcome to comment and engage with the site where comments are available but please be mindful of other visitors to the site. I reserve the right to decline any comments that I believe to be offensive, harmful, or spam.
3. Beta reading services
3.1 ‘Beta reading’ is used here as an umbrella term to describe alpha, beta or sensitivity reading services, since beta reading is the most widely understood term. This means that I am happy to work on manuscripts from their very first draft until their last round of proofreading.
3.2 I am under no obligation to accept work offered, nor is any client under any obligation to offer me work.
3.3 I will provide a non-disclosure agreement before commencement of work; however, I am happy to consider using yours if you wish to provide one of your own. Any changes must be agreed by both parties and should be signed before commencement of any work.
3.4 Terms of any project will be confirmed in writing (usually email) prior to the commencement of any work.
3.5 Work is carried out unsupervised and offline, using equipment that I provide, at times that I will determine independently.
3.6 Fees for beta reading must be agreed and paid in full prior to the commencement of work.
3.7 If, on receipt of the project to be worked on (or at an early stage), it becomes apparent that significantly more work is required than had been anticipated in the preliminary discussion/brief or from any sample supplied, I may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline or decline to carry out the work.
3.8 I aim to deliver within 3 days of the expected delivery date. Please keep this in mind when booking and notify me early if work is needed by a specific date (a rush fee may apply).
3.9 The beta read service does not edit for spelling, punctuation, or grammar. An editing service will be required to address those issues. However, I may make suggestions for small typos or comment on habitual mistakes via the in-line comments.
3.10 Changes on submitted manuscripts are welcome up until commencement of work. Any revisions on documents after a project has started will be considered at my discretion.
3.11 Unless otherwise agreed, the fee quoted is for one pass of a manuscript. This means that I read through the manuscript once and provide one set of feedback. Additional passes are new projects, the terms of which will be agreed separately.
3.12 I will not upload Client files to external websites or share them with third parties unless specifically permitted to do so in writing (including email) by the Client or compelled to for legal reasons. However, I do use One Drive as a Cloud storage system. Please review my Privacy Policy for more on GDPR and data protection.
3.13 I am happy to accept follow-up questions about a project via email.
3.14 Beta reading is a service designed for unpublished manuscripts. I do not offer this service on published works, nor do I offer paid reviews.
4. Cancellations to beta reading services
4.1 Both the Client and I have the right to terminate a contract for services at any time if there is a serious breach of its terms.
4.2 Clients are free to cancel a beta reading service before commencement of work for any reason. I must acknowledge this cancellation in writing (usually by email) for it to be valid.
4.3 I am free to cancel a booking before commencement of work for any reason. Any paid fees will be refunded.
4.4 Cancellations during a project: If a client cancels a project after the agreed start date, I reserve the right to charge up to 100% of the fees.
5. Copyright
5.1 Any material submitted for review for any beta reading or editing service is owned by the Client.
In this respect, the Client agrees to hold me harmless from and against all claims, liabilities and expenses arising out of any potential or actual copyright or trademark misappropriation or infringement claimed against them.
5.2 Any reader reports or editing work delivered by me becomes the property of the Client once invoices have been paid.
5.3 Beta reading and editing reports are intended for the Client’s personal use only and are not intended for use as promotional material. Clients should get permission from me, in writing, before quoting or reproducing any material in reports as part of marketing. I reserve the right to decline to be mentioned in any publications or marketing campaigns.
6. Acknowledgements
6.1 I appreciate any offer to acknowledge me or my work in the public sphere and in the acknowledgement section of any published material. However, the Client agrees to seek permission from me and allow me to review material of that nature before publication. I reserve the right to decline any such offer.
7. Digital Products
7.1 Where items are digital, no physical item will be shipped to you. Download files are available after payment has been received. Please contact me if you have any issues with downloading any items.
7.2 Digital products are intended for personal use only. You may not share, redistribute, or sell digital items unless explicitly stated.
7.3 Instant download items are not eligible for returns, exchanges or cancellations.
8. Legal Jurisdiction
8.1 This agreement is subject to the laws of England and Wales, and both the Client and I agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts.
9. Privacy Policy and GDPR
9.1 My Privacy Policy explains what data I collect, how I use and store it, and how I comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
