FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1) How do I know if my document will need Standard editing or Intensive editing?

Submit a few sample pages, or the entire document, and we will let you know.

2) How do you determine the number of words?

We use the "word count" tool available in word-processing programmes. Title pages and references are not included. Any English text within tables and figures will be checked for spelling but will not be included in the word count. Text in the legends of tables and figures, however, will be counted and edited.

3) Will the documents, emails, and payments I submit be secure?

Yes. All contact with us through this website is securely protected by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. When the address in the location bar of your browser begins with https:// rather than http://, when a closed padlock appears on your browser (its position varies with the browser), and/or if the location bar changes colour, then you know that any information transferred will be encrypted and secure. Both the Contact and the Submit files pages are secured with SSL. If you are paying by credit card from our Payment page, the PayPal site you are directed to is also secured by SSL.

4) Do you guarantee confidentiality of the contents of my submission?

Yes. Complete confidentiality is assured. Please see Your privacy.

5) Do you edit and format references?

For our basic English-editing services, the accuracy and formatting of references and citations within the text are the responsibility of the authors. If you choose the optional Journal Formatting (see Editing services), we do check the accuracy and formatting of the references. Each reference is checked with the PubMed database and then entered into a file for your manuscript using the programme EndNote. If you later need the references reformatted for a different journal, this programme can easily perform the reformatting.

6) I need my document edited by tomorrow. Can you do it NOW?

Maybe, depending on how busy we are. Send us a message on the Contact page, and we will let you know as soon as we can. The rate for Express processing will apply if we are able to do the work.

7) My institution does not use Microsoft, Apple, or Linux software. Can you still edit my documents?

Yes. We can edit basic txt files, but we will be unable to indicate the changes we make. We recommend, however, submitting rtf files rather than txt files. rtf files retain formatting better than txt files. LaTex documents can be pasted into a standard word-processing programme. We will not alter the coding but will still be able to edit the text.

8) Should I send my figures even though they have no text on them?

Yes. The figures may help us to understand what you are saying in the text, but sending figures is not a requirement.

9) My manuscript has more than 5 files, but your page for submitting files can only send 5. What should I do?

If many of the files are figures, you can group them into a single file with a programme for slide presentations such as PowerPoint or Keynote, or as a pdf file. Alternatively, you may fill in the "Submit files" page again, adding more files with each submission.

10) On your page for submitting files, you ask which journal I plan to submit my manuscript to. What should I say if I have not yet decided?

This information is not necessary, but you should at least indicate if you want editing for British or American English. American spellings are different for many words. If this field is left empty, British spellings will be used by default.

11) Do you keep copies of my files after you have finished editing and have received payment?

We normally keep copies in our records for a period of six months in case you request additional editing, for example after a manuscript has been reviewed at a journal and revisions or additional material has been requested. After six months, all files are permanently deleted. You may, of course, request immediate deletion of your files as soon as our business is completed, or you may request that we keep copies for longer than six months. We will honour your wishes.

12) Do I have to pay VAT?

VAT is a tax in Europe. If you are a client from a country in the European Union and your institution has a VAT number, then you do not have to pay VAT (please provide your VAT number in the field provided when you submit your files). If your institution does not have a VAT number, then you will be charged VAT at the rate of 19%.

13) Do you have other questions?

Please feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have.