1. Introduction
At David Mackay Publishing, we value the trust our clients place in us. Every project, whether it’s book publishing, book editing, ghostwriting, book marketing, or author website development, is approached with professionalism, dedication, and transparency.
This Refund, Revision, and Delivery Policy explains the conditions under which clients may be eligible for revisions, partial refunds, or, in rare cases, full refunds. It also outlines how project deliveries are managed, ensuring clear communication and mutual understanding at every step.
Because each service we provide is custom-created and based on individual requirements, refunds are subject to specific guidelines outlined below.
2. Nature of Our Services
David Mackay Publishing is a full-service creative and publishing agency offering:
- Book Cover Designing
- Book Illustration
- Book Editing, Line Editing, and Structural Editing
- Book Proofreading
- Ghostwriting, Fiction Writing, Non-Fiction Writing, and Script Writing
- Book Printing & Formatting
- Book Publishing & Marketing
- Comic Book Publishing & Children’s Book Publishing
- Amazon Book Publishing & Audiobook Publishing
- SEO for Author Brand
- Book Video Marketing
- Content Marketing & Article Writing Services
- Author Website Development
Each of these services involves significant creative input, time, and coordination. Therefore, once work begins, a portion of the project cost becomes non-refundable to cover administrative and creative efforts already invested.
3. Client Responsibility and Approval Process
Clients engaging David Mackay Publishing agree to:
- Provide accurate project details before the start of work.
- Review drafts, proofs, or previews in a timely manner.
- Communicate feedback clearly during the revision phase.
- Approve or request adjustments within the agreed timeline.
All approvals, verbal, written, or digital, will be treated as confirmation to proceed to the next project stage or finalize the service.
Once a service or stage is approved, refunds for that phase are not available.
4. Refund Eligibility
Refunds are assessed case-by-case, depending on the type of service, the project stage, and the work completed.
4.1 Refunds Before Work Begins
If a client cancels before any work has commenced, a full refund (minus administrative or transaction fees, typically 5%) may be issued.
4.2 Refunds After Work Begins
Once work has started, such as research, outlining, design, or editing, a partial refund may be granted depending on the progress completed.
- 25% refund if the project is under 25% complete.
- No refund once more than 50% of work is completed.
4.3 Non-Refundable Services
The following services are non-refundable once initiated due to their creative or platform-based nature:
- Ghostwriting or custom writing projects (fiction, non-fiction, or scripts).
- Book editing, proofreading, or formatting once any manuscript work begins.
- Book cover design and illustration after first draft submission.
- Book printing and distribution setup after print orders or uploads.
- Marketing, SEO, or video creation after campaign or production initiation.
- Amazon or Audiobook publishing setup once accounts or listings are created.
- Author website development after design and domain setup begins.
4.4 Refunds Due to Non-Delivery
If David Mackay Publishing fails to deliver a project after confirmed payment and no substantial work has been shared with the client, a 100% refund will be processed.
This does not apply to cases where delivery was delayed due to:
- Client delays or unresponsiveness.
- Late submission of materials or approvals.
- Technical or platform-related issues beyond our control.
4.5 Refunds for Dissatisfaction
If the client is dissatisfied with the final product, we will first offer multiple rounds of revisions (as outlined in Section 5).
Refunds for dissatisfaction will only be considered after these revisions have been completed and if the final work still fails to meet mutually agreed project requirements.
However, subjective dissatisfaction (e.g., personal taste or change of preference) does not qualify for a refund once project goals have been met.
5. Revision Policy
We take pride in refining every project until it meets professional and client standards. Revisions are provided as part of our quality assurance process.
5.1 Standard Revisions
Most services include up to three free revision rounds after the initial draft or design submission. Each revision must fall within the original project scope.
Revisions must be requested within 10 business days of draft delivery. Requests made after this period may incur additional charges.
5.2 Additional or Out-of-Scope Revisions
Revisions that introduce new ideas, structures, or requirements beyond the approved scope, such as new plotlines, added chapters, or redesigned marketing materials, are considered new work and billed separately.
5.3 Major vs. Minor Revisions
- Minor revisions include grammar edits, tone adjustments, or small design tweaks.
- Major revisions involve significant rewriting, restructuring, or redesigning and may carry additional fees.
5.4 Revision Timelines
Each revision request will be completed within a mutually agreed timeframe, typically 3–10 business days depending on project size and complexity.
6. Project Delivery Policy
6.1 Delivery Timeline
David Mackay Publishing strives to meet all project deadlines as agreed during onboarding. Delivery timelines depend on project type, complexity, and client responsiveness.
Delays caused by client inactivity, incomplete materials, or late approvals will not be considered missed deadlines by the company.
6.2 Mode of Delivery
All files, manuscripts, artwork, videos, or marketing materials, are delivered electronically via email, shared drives, or secure project platforms. Printed materials (if applicable) will be shipped via recognized courier services.
6.3 Acceptance of Final Delivery
Once the final version is delivered and approved (verbally, in writing, or via email), the project is deemed complete.
Requests for modifications after approval are considered new work and billed accordingly.
6.4 Loss or Damage During Delivery
David Mackay Publishing is not responsible for file loss or corruption occurring after delivery or for shipping damages caused by third-party couriers. Clients are encouraged to back up all received files immediately upon receipt.
7. Cancellation Policy
Clients may request to cancel a project at any time. However, refund eligibility depends on the stage of completion:
- Before work starts: 100% refund (minus transaction fees).
- After work begins: Partial refund based on progress.
- After first submission: No refund, but revisions may be offered.
- For ongoing marketing or SEO campaigns: Refunds are not available once campaigns are launched.
Cancellation requests must be made in writing via email to info@davidmackaypublishing.com.
8. Refund Process
Approved refunds are processed within 10–15 business days of confirmation. Refunds are credited via the original payment method unless otherwise specified.
Transaction or bank processing fees may apply and are non-refundable.
9. No Refund in Certain Circumstances
Refunds are not applicable in the following cases:
- The client changes their mind after project approval.
- Delays are caused by client unresponsiveness or late feedback.
- The project outcome differs from personal taste despite meeting agreed requirements.
- The service involves third-party platform policies (e.g., Amazon, Audible, or Google).
- The refund request is made 30 days or more after final delivery.
10. Dispute Resolution
David Mackay Publishing encourages open communication to resolve disputes amicably.
If a client feels unsatisfied or believes a refund is justified, they should contact us directly at info@davidmackaypublishing.com with detailed reasoning and supporting evidence.
Our management team will review the case within 7–10 business days and respond with a fair resolution—offering revisions, credits, or partial refunds when appropriate.
If a mutual resolution cannot be reached, both parties agree to pursue mediation before initiating legal action.
11. Service-Specific Refund and Revision Terms
11.1 Ghostwriting & Custom Writing
Due to the intensive time and creative input required, no refunds are provided once writing has begun. However, multiple revision rounds are offered to ensure satisfaction.
11.2 Editing, Proofreading, and Formatting
Refunds are not available after editing work begins, but minor adjustments may be made post-delivery at no additional cost.
11.3 Design, Illustration, and Video Creation
If initial concepts have been shared, only partial refunds (up to 25%) may be issued upon cancellation. Once final design or video drafts are approved, refunds are no longer available.
11.4 Marketing, SEO, and Content Campaigns
As these services involve third-party costs (ads, tools, data), they are non-refundable once initiated.
11.5 Printing and Distribution
Book printing and distribution services are non-refundable after submission to the printer or Amazon KDP, as printing involves irreversible production expenses.
11.6 Website Development
Once design, setup, or domain registration begins, only partial refunds may apply. Completed website projects are non-refundable.
12. Quality Assurance Guarantee
David Mackay Publishing takes pride in maintaining high standards across all creative, technical, and marketing services.
Every project undergoes internal quality checks before delivery to ensure compliance with the brief, brand tone, and publishing standards.
If the delivered work does not meet agreed expectations, we will revise it promptly at no extra cost until the issue is resolved within the project scope.
13. Force Majeure
We are not responsible for project delays, cancellations, or delivery issues caused by circumstances beyond our control, including natural disasters, internet outages, platform malfunctions, or government restrictions.
In such cases, project timelines may be extended or rescheduled without refunds.
14. Communication Policy
All refund, revision, and cancellation requests must be communicated via email to:
info@davidmackaypublishing.com
Our representatives will respond within 3 business days to confirm receipt and next steps.
Verbal discussions via phone or chat are not considered official unless confirmed in writing.
15. Amendments to Policy
David Mackay Publishing reserves the right to modify this policy at any time to comply with legal standards or operational changes.
Any updates will be posted on our website with a new effective date. Continued use of our services after updates constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.
16. Contact Information
For questions or clarification regarding this policy, please reach out to:
David Mackay Publishing
17. Acknowledgment
By engaging with David Mackay Publishing or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Refund, Revision, and Delivery Policy.
We appreciate your trust and partnership in bringing creative projects to life with clarity, professionalism, and care.
