Path to Publication Terms of Service

Introduction

This agreement is entered into by the Client, [NAME], (referred to as "the Client" throughout this agreement) and Sit Write Here (referred to as "the Company" throughout this agreement). The Company, including April Dávila and the team she employs to assist her, is committed to guiding the Client on the journey toward completing and publishing their manuscript. This agreement outlines the comprehensive services and commitments that will support the Client's writing goals over the next nine months. Please read through the terms carefully and sign at the bottom. A fully signed copy will be made available.

What's Included in the Path to Publication

Program Specific Content/Services
Access to the following components of the Path to Publication program is granted for the duration of the 9-month contract:

Daily meditation and writing sessions with the Mindful Writing Community
Text check-ins with the Client's Accountability Buddy every weekday morning
Weekly Mastermind Q&A sessions
A book on the craft of writing sent to the Client's address every month
Line edits on up to 12,500 words (roughly 50 pages) every calendar month through the first draft
Monthly, one-hour Zoom calls with an Advisor to review line edits (until completion of the first draft)
Monthly 90-minute, small group (or "Pod") meetings
Two three-hour Author Platform building sessions, plus a 1-hour follow-up for questions
Twice-monthly 30-minute check-ins with an Advisor while working on revisions
Full manuscript reviews including story, line, and copy edits, as deemed appropriate by your Advisor (see definitions below)
Three 1-hour zoom sessions to review query materials

Ongoing Content/Services
Access to the following components of the Path to Publication program (including any future updates) is granted in perpetuity:

Full access to the Savvy Fiction Writer's Field Guide course
Access to the ever-growing Meditation Library for Writers
42 powerful Scrivener tutorial videos
Access to the Pitch Perfect Query Bootcamp course material
Recordings of the Author Platform buildings sessions, with time stamps
Access to the Mindful Editing course

Definition of Terms

Story Edit
Also known as a developmental or substantive edit, a story edit involves a comprehensive analysis of the manuscript's structure, content, and overall storytelling elements. This edit focuses on the big-picture aspects of the manuscript, such as plot development, character arcs, pacing, theme, and narrative consistency. The goal of a story edit is to ensure that the manuscript's foundation is strong, the story is cohesive, and all elements work together to create a compelling narrative.

Line Edit
A line edit is an in-depth review of the manuscript that goes beyond correcting technical errors. It involves examining each sentence to enhance the overall clarity, flow, and readability of the writing. A line edit may suggest rephrasing sentences for better impact, improving word choice, and refining the narrative voice. The focus is on making sure the writing is smooth, engaging, and effective at conveying the intended message or story.

Copy Edit
A copy edit focuses on the technical aspects of the manuscript, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency in style. The goal of a copy edit is to ensure that the manuscript adheres to standard language rules and is free of errors that might distract the reader. This process also involves checking for proper word usage, correcting any typographical errors, and ensuring consistency in formatting and citation style (if applicable).

Note: Proofreading (the final stage of the editing process including a meticulous review of the text to identify and correct minor issues such as typographical errors, misspellings, punctuation mistakes, and formatting inconsistencies) is generally done by the publisher and so is not included in this program.

Communication

Sit Write Here communicates with clients via text to remind them of upcoming appointments. You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP" to the 213-652-3111. After you send the SMS message "STOP" to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.

If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at hello@aprildavila.com.

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. When you schedule a call with us, you will receive up to three reminder messages in the week prior to the call. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy.

Age Restriction

By using this website and/or our services, you represent and warrant that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract with us.

If you are under 18, you are not permitted to use our services or submit any personal information to us. If we discover that you have misrepresented your age, we reserve the right to terminate your access to the service immediately without notice.

Ground Rules

The Client is hiring the Company to advise them in their creative writing with the goal of completing a full-length manuscript intended for traditional publication. The Client understands that the Company will work diligently to support their creative work, but that the Client must do the writing. This is not a contract for ghostwriting services.
The Client understands that this contract includes up to 9 monthly rounds of feedback on their writing wherein the Client submits up to 12,500 words and the Company delivers a set of notes. These meetings occur once per calendar month and do not roll over or accumulate for later use. If the Client chooses not to submit work in any given month, they forfeit that round of edits.
If the Client fails to appear for a scheduled meeting, it will not be rescheduled, but the Company will do its best to reschedule as able. The Client is asked to give as much notice as possible if they need to reschedule.
The Company has permission to be direct, constructive, and compassionate, giving guidance to the best of its abilities to guide the Client through the process of completing a full-length manuscript.
When the Client submits their full manuscript for review, edits on up to 90,000 words are included in the Path to Publication program. If the Client's manuscript is longer than that, the Company will ask for additional payment in the amount of $0.04/word.

Protection of Intellectual Property

Both the Client and the Company understand that by entering into this agreement, both parties will have access to proprietary intellectual property.

The Company agrees not to share the Client's work, in part or as a whole, with any outside party except for the paid contractors who may be called upon to give an opinion on the work. These contractors may include story/developmental editors, line editors, and copy editors as needed. In those instances, the third party will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to reading the Client's work. The obligations regarding the protection of the Client's intellectual property shall extend for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the contract being signed.

The Client agrees not to share any of the Company's coaching material, specifically any recorded lessons to which they have access as part of the work together. The Client agrees that such proprietary material is solely for their own personal use. Any disclosure to a third party is strictly prohibited. The obligations regarding the protection of the Company's intellectual property shall also extend for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the contract being signed.

Policies & Procedures

The Company wants the Client to be familiar with policies/procedures so that things can run smoothly between us. Please read these very carefully so that there are no misunderstandings. Should the Client have any questions about logistics, including scheduling, please email hello@aprildavila.com.

Payment

The Client may choose to pay by Visa or MasterCard. If the Client has chosen to utilize a payment plan, timely payment is essential to ensure the smooth progression of the Path to Publication coaching program. If a payment is not received by the due date, the following steps will be taken:

Grace Period: A grace period of 5 days will be granted from the payment due date to make the payment without any penalties.
Late Fee: If the payment is not received within the grace period, a late fee of $50 will be applied to the outstanding balance.
Suspension of Services: If the payment, including the late fee, is not received within 15 days of the original due date, all coaching services will be suspended until the account is brought current. During this suspension, access to all program materials, sessions, and resources will be temporarily halted.
Termination of Contract: If the account remains delinquent for more than 30 days, the contract may be terminated at the Company's discretion. In such a case, no refunds will be provided, and any outstanding balances will remain due.
Reinstatement Fee: If the contract is terminated and the Client wishes to reinstate the coaching program, a reinstatement fee of $150 will be charged in addition to any outstanding payments and late fees.

Email Inquiries

The Company understands that questions may arise after one-on-one coaching sessions. Please know that if it is a quick question that is satisfied by a simple response, the Company will be delighted to help the Client. If it requires more time or a more complicated answer, the Client will be asked to bring the question to one of the weekly Mastermind Q&A sessions, or to their monthly pod meetings. Thanks for understanding.

Confidentiality

The Company will not, at any time, either directly or indirectly, use any of the Client's personal information for its own benefit, nor will it disclose, or communicate, in any manner, any information to any third party. The Company will also not divulge that the Client is in a coaching relationship, with anyone, as a courtesy for their privacy, unless the Client gives permission to do so. The Client may, however, feel free to tell others that they are working together if they like.

Decisions

The Client is responsible for decisions made about their work. The Company is happy to share opinions, offer resources, or make referrals. However, it is up to the Client to decide which, if any, to act upon. If the Client decides to take a recommendation, it is their choice and they take full responsibility for it. If the Client decides to work with someone based on the Company's referral, the workings of that relationship will be entirely separate from the Client's relationship with the Company.

Feedback

At the end of the work together, the Company will ask the Client to fill out an evaluation. It helps to see what the Client liked about the process, what results they received overall, and anything else they'd like to add. The Company finds this extremely valuable and now makes it a consistent part of working with each client. Thank you in advance for this. Often, the Company asks clients if it can use these comments in the form of a client testimonial to share with others who are thinking of taking the next step in attracting clients. The Client will let us know if that's acceptable.

Amendments to Agreement

Any amendments or updates to this agreement must be made in writing and signed by both the Client and the Company. Both parties agree that any modifications will only become effective once documented and mutually consented to in writing.

Verbal agreements or changes are not considered binding. This ensures that both parties are fully aware of and agree to any alterations to the original terms of this contract.