Terms & Conditions
Including Refund Policy
Editorial Assessments
Confidentiality
The Writers’ Workshop will keep your work confidential, period. We'll make only such printed copies as we need to do our job, and dispose of those copies responsibly. If you want us to delete your file from our computer after we've completed the assignment, then just ask and we'll do it.
We will not seek to exploit your work or ideas for our benefit - but please be aware that The Writers’ Workshop is staffed by professional working writers, who may be working with similar themes / characters / settings themselves. If we're aware of a significant clash or overlap, we'll let you know. What we can't promise is that no such overlap will ever arise. At the time of writing, no client has ever complained about inappropriate exploitation of their work. We hope & expect that no one ever will.
Our feedback
We will deliver editorial advice to the best of our professional ability as working writers. The feedback will endeavor to strike the right balance between honesty, sympathy, and constructive criticism, but writers and manuscripts vary. What's the right balance for one writer may not always be right for another. We'll do our best to get it right for you.
Equally, editorial feedback is a subjective business. You are purchasing advice, not a formula for success. It's our job to give good, clear, responsible advice. It's your job to use that advice as constructively as you can. If you end up disagreeing with us, that's OK. Disagreements can be constructive too. (Although we would point out that most of our clients - and all our most successful ones - agree with 80% or more of the comments we have to offer ...)
Your responsibility
Even for writers with agents, publishers & book deals, editorial advice can be tough to take. We don't compromise on honesty, and that means that you've got to be ready to hear it.
If we don't hear otherwise from you, we assume that your aim is to have your work published or sold commercially. If that assumption is not correct - or if there is any other background you want your editor to have - then you must set out all the relevant info in an email and send that at the same time as you send your manuscript. We'll ensure that your editor has that background before they start work.
Agents
First-time writers tend to think that to break into the publishing or film industries you need to know the right people. Wrong! What you need is outstandingly good work. At least 99% of what we do is focused on helping your work come up to the right standard for success. When and if we achieve that, we'll do what we can to help place your work with agents. But there are no guarantees. If only, huh?
Mentoring / ongoing advice
We're here to assist you for as long as you need us. If you work with your editor through one draft of your manuscript, and then want help with further drafts, ongoing mentoring, etc, then we'll do what we can to assist. We are usually able to make the same editor available for any ongoing work, but can't promise to do so. The trouble with all these damn writers is that they do want to go away and write ...
Payment
For regular editorial work (eg: feedback on a manuscript, script or poems), your upfront payment will cover (1) a full and careful read by our appointed editor, (2) our written report, sent to you by email, and (3) a follow up telephone consultation between you and your editor. We're happy to stay involved with your project, but further involvement will normally involve a further fee. We'll discuss this with you, once it's clear what ongoing help would suit you best.
Timings
We try to be prompt about giving feedback, but because we're all working writers, life can sometimes intervene with even the best laid plans. When this happens, we'll do our best to be prompt and courteous about informing you of any delays.
Refund Policy / Complaint Handling
You have the statutory right to cancel within seven days of our contract with you. If you do cancel your order prior to work commencing, you will have your payment returned. If you are dissatisfied with the work that has been done, please bear in mind that the service includes a follow-up conversation aimed at answering any questions you might have, and addressing any other issues you feel are important. If, after having this conversation with your editor, you still are displeased, give us a call on 0845 459 9560, and we will do all we can to make you feel we have fully honoured our obligation to you.
Responsibility & governing law
These terms and conditions form the basis of a contract between you, the client, and us, The Writers’ Workshop. We and not your editor are responsible for the proper performance of this contract, which shall be governed by English law.
Courses and workshops
Delegate cancellation / refund policy
Please book only when you're sure you can attend. Refunds can be made 21 days prior to the start date of a course / workshop, but not thereafter.
Presenter / tutor availability
We will make every effort to ensure that the tutor who leads your workshop or course will be the one advertised, Where this is not possible, we will ensure a suitably qualified replacement. We will also make every effort to ensure that the workshops take place at the advertised venue and that any technology platforms used by our online courses have full functionality. We cannot however guarantee this and may occasionally have to offer alternative locations / platforms, etc.
Bookings
Are first come, first served.
Age
We recommend that all delegates are 18 or older. Delegates who are younger than this, should contact the Writers' Workshop prior to booking.
Discount vouchers
Our discount vouchers have no expiry date, and can be used against any service offered by The Writers' Workshop. It is not normally possible to use multiple discount vouchers for the same service, or to use a voucher in conjunction with any other discount or offer.
The Festival of Writing & the Getting Published Event
Delegate cancellation / Refund policy
Please book only when you're sure you can attend. If you do need to cancel, refunds are made on the following basis: In the event of a delegate’s cancellation 8 weeks before the event, 80% of the fee will be refunded. Cancellations made 4-8 weeks prior to the event will receive a 50% refund. Thereafter no refunds will be possible. Sorry!
Presenter cancellation
Whilst the WW will make every endeavour to present the speakers and workshops at the time billed, the WW is not responsible for presenters’ lateness or cancellation. Wherever possible, suitable replacements will be arranged.
Bookings
Bookings are offered on a first come first served basis.
Safety
Delegates must behave safely, courteously and appropriately at all times. Threatening, violent or abusive behaviour will result in immediate ejection from the venue.
Age
Delegates must be 18 or over. The WW will also accept 16 and 17 year olds by prior agreement and only with written consent from a parent or guardian.
Force Majeure
The WW shall incur no liability for any failure to fulfil any obligation under the Contract if prevented from doing so by any cause beyond its reasonable control.
Book doctors
Please remember that Book Doctors are there to give tough, honest and expert advice. That may include telling you things that are hard to hear, so please come prepared for that in advance - and do remember that our advice is only ever advice. You are not obliged to agree with it or act on it. If, for any reason, a particular book doctor fails to appear for a scheduled session, the WW will make all reasonable efforts to arrange for an alternative, other on that day or shortly thereafter.
The Writers' Workshop
The Writers' Workshop is a Trading Name for Harry Bingham (sole trader). The office address is 7 Market Street, Charlbury, Oxon., OX7 3PH, UK. The contact number is 0845 459 9560. and the email address is info@writersworkshop.co.uk. Vat Reg 909 1973 00
