Estimate, fixed bid, or hourly?

Would you like an estimate? If you have a book project and would like us to prepare a free estimate, please fill out our estimate form.

Our estimates are for one round of work; however, some books need more than one round, such as for copyediting.

• If the time spent is less than what we estimate, you will receive an immediate refund of the difference, or you can apply the difference to other services as you wish.

• If we anticipate needing more time than what we estimate, we will let you know as soon as we can tell that the time is going to go over so you can decide whether you want to continue.

Would you prefer a fixed bid? If you would like a fixed bid instead of an estimate, please fill out our fixed bid form.

Our fixed bids are for one round of work; however, some books need more than one round, such as for copyediting.

We will bid higher than we do for an estimate to protect ourselves from additional unforeseen situations.

• If the time spent is less than what we bid, you will not receive any refund of the difference.

• If we anticipate needing more time than what we bid, we will not charge you for any additional time.

Would you prefer an hourly arrangement? If you would like us to work hourly, we would be happy to do so.

First, fill out our estimate form or our fixed bid form. Then, once we give you a price, you can prepay and authorize any number of hours that fit your budget. We will continue in this fashion until the job is done!

Discontinuing our services. If you wish to discontinue our services at any point during the project, you will receive a refund for the difference between the time already spent and the time for which you have paid.

Estimate or fixed bid process

• You will download our estimate or fixed bid form. You have the option of receiving an estimate or a fixed bid. Once you have made that choice, you will fill out our online Adobe PDF estimate form or fixed bid form, which will tell us about the particulars of your book project, and send us your manuscript (or a representative chapter).

• We will review your form answers. Once we have reviewed the answers you have provided, we will contact you on the phone or by e-mail to go over any questions we may have. This will be your opportunity to ask us any of your own questions.

• We will prepare an editing sample upon request. We will be happy to prepare a one-page editing sample at no charge; however, there will be a fee for more extensive editing samples based on the length of the requested sample.

• We will send you an estimate or a fixed bid. This estimate or fixed bid will be based on knowledge of the project known at that time. If, during the production process, the scope of your book project changes, you may request another estimate at any time.

• You will approve the estimate or fixed bid and send us your payment. You will sign, date, and fax the estimate or fixed bid to 650.355.3630 (or scan your signed estimate or fixed bid and send it via e-mail). We must receive payment before work can begin.

  Payment method options

  • Electronic bill pay (payable to Backspace Ink);

  • Personal check (payable to Backspace Ink); or

  • Credit card (payment taken over the phone).

• Let’s begin! Once we receive your payment, the signed estimate or fixed bid, an agreement defining the requested services, and the final version of your manuscript, we will begin your book project.