Choosing an editor or preparing a book for publication can raise a lot of questions. Here is what you can expect when purchasing a service or resource from Lioness Press.
Working With Lioness Press
Who will work on my manuscript?
Every Lioness Press project is handled directly by Anne Jones. Your manuscript is not passed to an anonymous editing team or outsourced to another provider.
What file formats do you accept?
Microsoft Word files in .docx format are preferred for copyediting and proofreading because they allow edits to be clearly shown using Track Changes and comments.
PDF files may be accepted for certain reviews or proofreading projects. Google Docs may be accommodated by prior arrangement, but Microsoft Word is strongly recommended for maintaining formatting and version control.
How do I submit my manuscript?
After purchasing an editorial service, you will receive a follow-up email within one business day with instructions for submitting your manuscript and any supporting materials.
Please do not send your manuscript before receiving those instructions unless Lioness Press has already requested it.
Will you preserve my writing voice?
Yes. The purpose of editing is to strengthen clarity, consistency, grammar, and readability—not to rewrite your manuscript in someone else’s voice.
When an issue requires an authorial decision, it will generally be explained in a comment rather than silently rewritten.
Will my manuscript remain confidential?
Yes. Manuscripts and client materials are treated as confidential and will not be shared, published, or used publicly without the author’s permission.
Are turnaround dates guaranteed?
Lioness Press makes every effort to meet the scheduled delivery date provided for your project.
However, turnaround dates are estimates and may be subject to change because of illness, emergencies, technical issues, severe weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. If a delay affects your project, you will be notified as soon as reasonably possible and provided with an updated delivery date.
Copyediting
What does copyediting include?
Copyediting addresses grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, word usage, consistency, clarity, and adherence to an appropriate editorial style.
Comments may also identify confusing passages, continuity concerns, repetition, or areas that need additional author attention.
Copyediting is not the same as developmental editing and does not include extensive rewriting, restructuring, or plot redevelopment.
How will I receive my edited manuscript?
You will receive a Microsoft Word document showing edits through Track Changes, along with editorial comments where clarification or an author decision is needed.
A clean version may also be provided when included in the selected service.
How long does copyediting take?
Standard copyediting projects are generally delivered within 14 business days after the complete manuscript has been received, the project has been confirmed, and it has reached its scheduled start date.
Manuscripts exceeding 75,000 words may require up to 30 business days.
Your anticipated start date and delivery date will be confirmed before editing begins.
What happens if I find a missed correction?
Editing substantially improves a manuscript, but no professional editor can guarantee that every error will be eliminated.
If you find an objective error within the original editing scope, contact Lioness Press promptly. Reasonable corrections to the completed edit will be addressed.
New revisions, rewritten material, or additional editing outside the original scope may require a separate fee.
Proofreading
What is the difference between proofreading and copyediting?
Copyediting examines language, sentence structure, consistency, grammar, and clarity.
Proofreading is the final quality check performed after editing and formatting are complete. It focuses on remaining typographical errors, punctuation mistakes, formatting inconsistencies, missing words, and similar final-stage issues.
Proofreading is not a substitute for copyediting when a manuscript still requires substantial sentence-level work.
When should I order proofreading?
Proofreading should be one of the final steps before publication. The manuscript should already have been edited, revised, and formatted.
If the submitted manuscript requires more extensive correction than proofreading allows, Lioness Press may recommend changing the service before work begins.
Can you proofread a formatted PDF?
Yes, depending on the project. A formatted PDF is often the best file for a final print-layout proofread because it allows the editor to review page breaks, headers, spacing, chapter openings, and other layout details.
How long does proofreading take?
The proofreading schedule depends on manuscript length, file format, and the condition of the submitted material.
Your scheduled start date and anticipated delivery date will be confirmed after your files have been received and reviewed.
Publish Without Regret Review
What is included in the Publish Without Regret Review?
The Publish Without Regret Review provides professional feedback on your manuscript’s readiness for publication.
The review may address areas such as reader experience, clarity, structure, consistency, presentation, publishing readiness, and concerns that should be resolved before the book moves into production.
It is an editorial assessment rather than a complete copyedit or proofread. The manuscript will not be corrected line by line unless that work is specifically included in the product description.
What will I receive?
You will receive a written editorial assessment identifying strengths, concerns, and recommended next steps.
The exact deliverables, manuscript length, and amount of material reviewed are listed on the product page.
How quickly will I receive my Publish Without Regret Review?
The Publish Without Regret Review typically requires three weeks once the project has been placed on the Lioness Press production calendar and all requested manuscript materials have been received.
Your scheduled start date and expected delivery date will be confirmed by email after purchase.
Delivery dates may change because of unforeseen circumstances. If a delay affects your scheduled review, you will be notified and provided with an updated delivery date.
Does the review include revisions to my manuscript?
No. The review provides professional analysis and recommendations, but it does not include rewriting, copyediting, proofreading, or implementing the suggested revisions.
Additional editorial services may be arranged separately.
Format Your Book for KDP in One Day
What format is the guide delivered in?
The guide is provided as a downloadable PDF that can be read on a computer, tablet, or other PDF-compatible device.
Is this a formatting service?
No. This is a step-by-step instructional guide designed to help authors format and prepare their own books for Kindle Direct Publishing.
Purchasing the guide does not include individual manuscript formatting, editing, technical support, or a personal review of your files unless those services are purchased separately.
When will I receive the guide?
The download should become available after payment is completed.
You may also receive access through your order-confirmation email or customer account, depending on the checkout method used.
Check your spam or promotions folder if the confirmation email does not appear promptly.
What if I have trouble downloading the guide?
Contact Lioness Press with your name, email address, and order details. Assistance will be provided if the file is missing, inaccessible, or technically defective.
Payments, Scheduling, Cancellations, and Refunds
When will my editorial project begin?
Purchasing a service reserves your place in the Lioness Press production schedule but does not necessarily mean work begins immediately.
Your project will be assigned a scheduled start date after your order and manuscript materials have been reviewed.
What is your refund policy for editorial services?
Editorial-service payments may be cancelled and refunded before work begins, less any nonrefundable payment-processing charges where applicable.
Once editing, proofreading, reviewing, formatting, or other project work has begun, payments are nonrefundable because professional time has already been reserved and performed.
If Lioness Press is unable to complete the agreed service, the affected portion of the payment will be refunded.
Can digital products be returned?
Because downloadable products cannot be returned after access has been provided, digital-product purchases are generally final except where a refund is required by law or the file is defective.
If you experience a technical problem accessing a purchased file, contact Lioness Press for assistance.
Can I change my scheduled project date?
Scheduling changes may be accommodated when sufficient notice is provided and another production date is available.
Requests to postpone a project may affect the original delivery date. Repeated postponements or substantial changes to the manuscript may require the project to be rescheduled or requoted.
Do you offer rush services?
Rush availability depends on manuscript length, the current production schedule, and the service requested.
Contact Lioness Press before purchasing if you have a firm publication deadline. An additional rush fee may apply.
What happens if my manuscript changes after I submit it?
The submitted manuscript should be complete and ready for the service purchased.
Substantial revisions, added chapters, replaced files, or changes made after work begins may affect the scope, price, and delivery date. Additional work may require a revised quote.
Does editing guarantee publication or book sales?
No editor, formatter, or publishing professional can guarantee acceptance by a publisher, positive reviews, sales, awards, or commercial success.
Lioness Press provides professional editorial and production support designed to help you publish a stronger, more polished book.
Quotes, Samples, and Pricing
Do you offer a sample edit?
Yes. Lioness Press offers a three-page sample edit so you can see the editorial approach and determine whether the service is the right fit for your manuscript.
The sample also helps Lioness Press assess the manuscript’s editing needs before confirming the appropriate service, price, and schedule.
What happens if my manuscript word count is different from the amount purchased?
Services must be purchased for the manuscript’s complete and accurate word count.
If the submitted manuscript contains more words than the amount purchased, Lioness Press may:
- send an additional invoice for the difference;
- complete only the number of words covered by the original payment; or
- provide the option to cancel or adjust the order before work begins.
If the manuscript is substantially shorter than the word count purchased, any applicable adjustment or refund will be determined before work begins.
Changes to the manuscript after submission may also affect the price and delivery schedule.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment plans may be available for larger projects, depending on the project timeline, cost, and scheduled start date.
Any payment arrangement must be approved before work begins. The full balance may be required before final edited or formatted files are delivered.
Can I combine services?
Yes. Services such as editorial assessments, copyediting, proofreading, formatting, and publishing guidance may be combined when appropriate.
Because each service represents a different stage of the publishing process, Lioness Press may recommend completing them in a particular order. Combined services may require a custom quote and production schedule.
Communication and Deliverables
How will we communicate during the project?
Most project communication takes place by email so that questions, decisions, deadlines, and instructions remain clearly documented.
Phone and video meetings through Microsoft Teams or Zoom may also be available when needed or when included in the selected service. Meetings should be scheduled in advance.
Is a style sheet included?
A style sheet is included with full copyediting projects.
The style sheet records important editorial decisions such as spelling preferences, capitalization, punctuation, character names, places, timelines, terminology, and other manuscript-specific details.
This is especially valuable for authors writing a series because it helps maintain consistency across multiple books.
Privacy, Ownership, and Artificial Intelligence
Do you use artificial intelligence on client manuscripts?
Lioness Press does not use generative AI to edit, rewrite, evaluate, or create content from client manuscripts.
AI tools may be used for limited administrative purposes, such as calendar management, scheduling, workflow organization, and other business tasks that do not require submitting the client’s manuscript or confidential creative work.
Who owns my manuscript and edited files?
The author retains ownership and copyright in the manuscript and the author’s original creative work.
Lioness Press does not claim ownership of a client’s book. Editorial changes, comments, style sheets, and completed project files are provided for the author’s use in connection with the manuscript.
How long do you keep completed project files?
Lioness Press retains completed project files for 90 days after final delivery.
Clients are responsible for downloading, reviewing, and securely backing up all delivered files during that period. Lioness Press cannot guarantee that files will remain available after the 90-day retention period.
Multiple Books and Future Projects
Can I book more than one book at a time?
Yes. Authors may schedule multiple books, including novels within the same series, subject to availability.
Multi-book projects may require a custom production schedule and separate payment milestones. Scheduling several books together can also help maintain editorial and stylistic consistency across a series.
Pricing is based on the rates in effect when each project is quoted or scheduled. Lioness Press rates may change over time to reflect current operating costs, industry standards, and the scope of services provided.
A previous project, quote, or rate does not guarantee the same pricing for future books.
Still Have Questions?
If your question is not answered here, contact Lioness Press before purchasing so the scope, schedule, and appropriate service can be clarified.
Your story remains yours. Lioness Press helps you finish it well.