Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't find the answer you're looking for here, contact Sunny Words

When is Sunny Words available to help me?
Where is Sunny Words located?
Sunny Words is in the Eastern (US) time zone. My business isn't. Will this be a problem?
I could use assistance with a current project, but I may need continuing help also. What are my options?
Besides services for purchase, what else does Sunny Words offer?
Does Sunny Words have a privacy policy?
If the kind of help I need is not listed on the services page, does that mean you don't offer it?
You're a "solopreneur." So what happens to my work during your illness, vacation, etc.?
I need assistance on short notice. Can Sunny Words help?
What are your contract terms?

Q: When is Sunny Words available to help me?

A: Sunny Words is open Monday through Friday as well as some holidays. Email is checked and answered periodically throughout the day. Phone appointments are generally scheduled in advance.

Scheduled closures for 2012:

• Late winter holiday: Monday-Friday, February 20-24
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 28
• Independence vacation: Wednesday-Monday, July 4-9
• Labor Day: Monday, September 3
• Thanksgiving holiday: Tuesday-Friday, November 20-23
• Christmas-New Year holiday: Tuesday-Tuesday, December 25, 2012-January 1, 2013

Q: Where is Sunny Words located?

A: Sunny Words hails from charming and historical Portsmouth, VA, USA. But through the magic of email, telephone, Skype IM, and fax, Sunny Words can work comfortably with clients anywhere in the world.

Q: Sunny Words is in the Eastern (US) time zone. My business isn't. Will this be a problem?

A: In most cases, differences in time zone are not a problem. Sunny Words has worked successfully with people in Eastern, Central, and Pacific (US) zones as well as writers as far away as the UK, New Zealand, and Australia.

Q: I could use assistance with a current project, but I may need continuing help also. What are my options?

A: Sunny Words offers both long- and short-term contracts. Some common jobs are even available as fixed-price packages which can be ordered once or on a continuing basis. See the services page for additional details.

Q: Besides services for purchase, what else does Sunny Words offer?

Sunny Words publishes Word-wise, a blog filled with grammar and punctuation tips, commentary on language news, modern language musings, and other English- and writing-related topics. Everyone interested in the world of the English language is invited to read and participate in the Word-wise community. No membership, sign-up, or fee of any kind is required.

Before it became a blog, Word-wise existed as an ezine. Language, grammar, usage, and other articles from the ezine days are archived here on the Sunny Words site and accesible to anyone, free of charge.

Q: Does Sunny Words have a privacy policy?

A: Yes. Sunny Words has an official policy and takes client and site user privacy seriously.

Q: If the kind of help I need is not listed on the services page, does that mean you don't offer it?

A: Maybe, maybe not. This page only lists the writing and editing services that Sunny words clients order most frequently. If you don't see what you need, contact Sunny Words for more information. In the event your desired service isn't available, Sunny Words may still be able to help by referring you to a provider who has the expertise you seek.

Q: You're a "solopreneur." So what happens to my work during your illness, vacation, etc.?

A: Sunny Words makes arrangements to complete and deliver all work due during a scheduled vacation period BEFORE that period begins.

As Sunny Words works remotely, "staying home from work" in order to avoid spreading colds or other minor illnesses is not necessary and thus does not affect deadlines. In most cases, Sunny Words clients are not even aware of illness.

For extremely large projects, it may be necessary for Sunny Words to subcontract with other writing/editing professionals in order to meet client expectations and deadlines. If this is the case, the client will be informed of that need before the project begins. Subcontractors are never used without the client's knowledge and approval. Once approval is obtained, Sunny Words will handle all writing/editing subcontractor details from that point on.

Sunny Words ONLY works with the highest calibre subcontractors. Clients will perceive no difference between Sunny Words's own work and that which is completed by prescreened, expert subcontractors.

Q: I need assistance on short notice. Can Sunny Words help?

A: In order to ensure that all clients, both new and existing, get the quality results they deserve, Sunny Words never accepts projects that will be due in complete form in fewer than 24 hours from the time of receipt of signed contract and deposit.

Sometimes, however, the schedule allows for rush work. Sunny Words defines rush work as that due to be completed within 24-48 hours of initial receipt. Rush projects are charged an additional 30% fee.

Q: What are your contract terms?

Here is a summary of the terms which apply to all clients regardless of contract type.

• Signed contract, all applicable client-supplied materials, and 50% deposit must be received by Sunny Words before work begins.
• Payments are only accepted through PayPal.
• Sunny Words is a sole proprietorship. Clients are to declare payments to Sunny Words as independent contractor compensation, NOT employee pay. As an independent contractor, Sunny Words is not subject to client's employee terms, including but not limited to employee benefits, specific working hours, or continuing education requirements.
• Sunny Words projects include one revision, if client deems necessary.
• As regular communication is essential for the successful completion of most projects, Sunny Words reserves the right to cancel contracts of clients who fail to respond to email and phone messages within a reasonable amount of time relative to the project's timeline. If such cancelation is invoked, Sunny Words will immediately return all client material, whether complete or not, and cancel upcoming invoices related to the project.
• If time required is available, Sunny Words can accept rush projects, defined as those due in complete form between 24 and 48 hours from time of receipt of signed contract, materials, and deposit. A 30% rush fee applies to such projects.
• At completion of project, Sunny Words will forward finished materials and a final invoice to client. Invoice will reflect total project cost less deposit amount. Final invoices are payable within 15 days.
• Unpaid invoices may incur a 1.5% late fee per month. After three months of nonpayment, Sunny Words may begin formal collections procedures or litigation.