FAQ

    Regarding Manuscript Services

Q. Once a manuscript is edited by The Perfect Write®, is there any assurance that the work will be published by anyone?

A. If it would only be so easy. Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee that any material will be published by anyone at any level.

Q. If The Perfect Write® works with me on my manuscript, will the firm also help me find an agent?

A. On a limited basis we will work with some clients to attempt to find bona fide agent representation.

Q. What determines if you will work with a writer to find an agent?

A. Three elements; one, the amount of time we have available; two, how strongly we feel about a particular work; and, three, if we have an agent
or agents in mind who we think might find the material appealing.

Q. Do you charge a fee for contacting an agent for a writer?

A. When we have time, The Perfect Write® charges a flat fee of $117.50 for locating an agent who will agree to look at some or all of a client’s work. Our agent service does not guarantee representation by any agent, and is solely to get a writer started and as a means to enable honest feedback. Because of time constraints, The Perfect Write® is limited as to the number of agent contacts we can make. As of January, 2010, this service that is no longer available, but with each query letter we craft we continue to provide the names and business addresses of three agents we feel will be good prospects for the manuscript.

Q. What does The Perfect Write® charge an author for writing a query letter?

A. Query letter writing is a cachet of The Perfect Write®, and we charge $117.50 for this service. We also provide the names and business addresses of three agents we think will be good prospects for the work; however, we do not personally contact these agents. Query letter review and analysis continues to be offered to authors at no charge, a $57.50 value.

Q. Does everyone who asks for a free query letter review and analysis require a query written by The Perfect Write® and the $117.50 expense?

A. We recently did the numbers for the past two years, and it was almost a 50-50 split for those for whom we recommended a new query in lieu of letters we felt just required a touch up.

Q. Does The Perfect Write® charge for these touch-up recommendations?

A. No. As with any service we provide, The Perfect Write® only charges for the work we perform after the client has agreed to our fee for whatever the project might be. When The Perfect Write® parses a query, for example, we do not require any payment information at that time. This enables the author to make the decision if he or she wishes to employ The Perfect Write® to craft a new query letter after receipt of the query critique.

Q. Do you guarantee that a query letter written by The Perfect Write® will garner agent representation?

A. As with our earlier response not warranting in any way that a manuscript edited by The Perfect Write® will be published, agenting is just as difficult to predict. So, no, The Perfect Write® cannot provide any assurance that a work will be accepted by any agent. But we have a good track record and feel we write credible queries that can continue to produce requests for submissions by bona fide agents.

Q. What if a client doesn’t like a query you have written?

A. The Perfect Write® will rewrite it one more time, addressing the client’s concerns, at no charge.

Regarding Professional Correspondence

Q. Once The Perfect Write® has my information, how long will it take to prepare my letter?

A. It depends on just how complicated the letter happens to be, and we do not want to rush work. In most cases, however, finished professional correspondence is E-mailed to the client within 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, from when we receive the original information.

Q. How does The Perfect Write® letter-creating process work?

A. After the material is submitted, the information is analyzed and structured. Then a draft is written based on the suggested tone. Obviously, there is a lot more to it than this, but that is the format in its simplest terms–and why we can do what we do.

Q. May I tell you exactly how I want my letter to sound or how I want it written?

A. Of course, and we will follow your directions. The Perfect Write® is your instrument.

Q. What if I am not pleased with what you send me?

A. Once you tell us where we “missed,” we will remedy the problem quickly and without histrionics. We will revise a letter one time at no additional charge to you.

Q. How is the word count determined?

A. We use the count indicated by the Microsoft® Word program.

Q. Does The Perfect Write® charge for the dateline, heading, and greeting?

A. No. Especially since we never know when, or to whom, or where, a letter is being sent.

Q. Does The Perfect Write® charge for the complimentary close (i.e. Sincerely, etc.)?

A. Yes, since this can often be significant to a letter’s tone.

Q. What font and size is used by The Perfect Write®?

A. Times New Roman, 12 point. But you can change either after we send the letter to you, just as you can modify any aspect of the correspondence.

Q. Do you keep my letter on file?

A. For 30 days, unless you desire that it not be saved. The Perfect Write® will do what you ask.

Q. Does The Perfect Write® ever refuse a project?

A. Yes, and an explanation for this necessity is covered in the Terms of Agreement between you and The Perfect Write®, the principles of which
must be agreed to before The Perfect Write® accepts any assignment.