You ensure the manuscript is in Standard Manuscript Format (SMF), which most publishers and editors prefer. SMF is 12-point Courier type, double-spaced, with margins of at least an inch on all sides. Each new chapter begins one-third of the way down the page. All the pages are numbered.

Print out your properly formatted manuscript and ship it to us. We edit the printed version (hard copy) using red ink and proof marks that we explain in our printed report. The report includes explanations for every suggestion we make on the manuscript and is thorough as well as educational. Each report is unique and addresses your manuscript specifically, and when appropriate, it explains immutable facts about grammar, punctuation, Chicago Style, etc.

We return the manuscript by Priority Mail with Tracking (if you live in the United States), and we notify you when the package is shipped. You can track the package at www.usps.com. If you live outside the United States, we ship in the manner that is best for getting valuable packages to your country.

Pros of hard-copy editing

• You receive a highly valuable, printed report you can study and use to upgrade your manuscript. You have the report forever and can refer to it to improve all your writing.
• The human eye sees more when items are printed, so hard-copy editing tends to be the absolute highest quality available.
• You maintain complete creative control and can make the changes as you see fit, in your own words.
• You can even ignore our suggestions, if you disagree with them.
• You learn a great deal through the process of inputting changes.

• You have to format the manuscript correctly, print it out, box it up, and ship it to us.
• You pay for shipping of the manuscript, both to us and from us.
• Shipping takes a little time.
• You are responsible for making our suggested changes to your electronic file.
• We keep no copies of your work, so if you lose the edited manuscript, it is lost forever