|
|
|
The Editors Guild is designed to serve the needs of professional freelance editors, but this page is designed to help those who are just beginning in the editorial field and aren't yet eligible to join the Guild. Read on for advice, resources, and other information that may help you on your path. Our colleagues at the Editors' Association of Canada have also compiled an
eloquent and helpful compendium
of information on this topic.
|
 |
Copyediting-L, a free electronic discussion list
whose hundreds of subscribers ask and answer copyediting questions. To
subscribe, e-mail listserv@listserv.indiana.edu.
Leave the subject line blank. As your message, type "subscribe
copyediting-L," followed by your full name. |
| Copy Editor:
The National Newsletter for Professional Copy Editors, P.O. Box 604,
Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023, 212-995-0112. This excellent eight-page
bimonthly newsletter is expensive ($69/year), but it's a worthy investment,
especially for a beginner. Contains updates on grammar, spelling,
punctuation, style and usage, and computer technology, as well as helpful
articles on topics ranging from choosing the right dictionary to avoiding
libelous words. The Web site has nationwide job postings. |
|
"The Writer's Art," James Kilpatrick's column on language in the Scene
section of the Sunday Seattle Times; On
Language, William Safire's column in The New York Times Magazine. |
| And the vast amount of information compiled by the Guild, available in Resources and Meeting Archives. |
| Editorial
Freelancing: A Practical Guide, Trumbull Rogers (Aletheia
Publications, 1995). Out of print; may be available used through
Abebooks.com, Amazon.com, and similar
sources. |
| A
Guide to Editorial Freelancing, Carol O'Neill and Avima Ruder
(1974; Barnes & Noble revised edition, 1979).
Available at the Seattle Public Library. Out of print; may be available used through
Abebooks.com, Amazon.com, and similar
sources. |
| Freelance-l, a electronic discussion list for publishing industry
freelancers. Topics include publisher comparisons, job searches, and types of
work; rates and (non)payments; insurance and taxes; home offices and equipment;
and other work-related issues. Anyone starting out in the business is welcome.
To subscribe, e-mail freelance-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Leave the subject line blank; in the body of your message, type "subscribe
freelance-l," followed by your name. Those requesting a subscription must
provide a name; new subscribers are announced on the list. |
| Home-Based Careers Do's and
Don'ts, a quiz to help you determine whether you have the right personality
for freelancing. Are you assertive enough to sell your
services? Are you self-motivated, or do you need someone to tell you what to
do? Freelancing's not for everyone, especially those who need the social
stimulation that an office provides. A thoughtful article on another site
presents the pros
and cons of freelancing. |
| Editorial Freelancers Association, a national organization based in New York City, which absorbed the Boston-based Freelance Editorial Association during the 1990s. EFA charges a hefty fee for membership, but its site offers helpful newsletter articles about freelancing, at no charge. |
|
Strunk and White's Elements of Style |
|
The Transitive Vampire |
|
Woe Is I |
|
When Words Collide |
|
the Anguished English books |
3. Meet other editors.
Established editors can tell you how they got started. They may also be able to refer work to you if they get projects they don't want.
Browse our membership directory for editors who do the kind of work you'd like to do. An asterisk (*) following a member's name means that s/he is particularly willing, time permitting, to answer newer editors' questions regarding freelancing and/or editing.
Our members' time and knowledge is valuable, so if they are willing to share some of their wisdom with you, we strongly suggest that you treat them to coffee or lunch in return.
You can also read what some of our most experienced members told us about how they got started.
Meet with other new editors, or new-to-freelancing editors for support and ideas. See our meetings page for information on upcoming gatherings.
4. Volunteer.Experience, whether paid or unpaid, makes you more employable. You'll also likely learn new things and become a better editor with every project.
Seek an internship with a local book publisher or newspaper, such as Sasquatch Books, The Mountaineers Books, or Seattle Weekly.
Volunteer to help proofread or edit for an organization or publication--ideally one with an experienced staff editor who can help you learn the ropes. You can find out about volunteer opportunities in Seattle through Seattle Works or United Way.
Proofread academic papers or work-related projects for your friends and colleagues.
Offer to barter your editing services for other services or items you need.
5. Consider an entry-level staff position.We've all had to pay our dues. Many freelance editors begin their editorial careers in staff positions, and then later move into freelancing.
An entry-level position allows you to learn, ask questions of more experienced editors, and see the work of good editors. It can also help you develop contacts for a future freelance career.
Consider a job that includes some proofreading or editing among other duties, even if that is not the primary responsibility of the position.
6. Be creative; define your niches. If you're intent on building a freelance career now, think hard about what your niches might be--topics or industries that you know more about than most people. Impressive subject knowledge can sometimes compensate for a sparse editorial background and persuade a client to take you on.
Similarly, think about communities you may be a part of that others are not, and figure out how to market your services to them. For instance, if you spend lots of time on a campus, you might want to post notices there offering affordable editing services.
7. Be aware of the broad range of potential employers.Seattle is home to many institutions and individuals who use editors and proofreaders:
| book publishers |
| book packagers |
| newspapers |
| magazines |
| design firms |
| law firms |
| advertising agencies and public relations firms |
| engineering firms |
| consulting firms |
| computer and multimedia firms |
| corporate marketing and communications departments |
| authors |
| academics |
| students |
| nonprofit organizations |
| management consultants |
| market researchers |
| museums |
| universities |
| government agencies |
| and more |
8. Consider technical communication. Technical communication is a particularly robust field in the Seattle area. Classes contains information on area courses and programs in technical editing and communication. You may wish to read the notes from a Bay Area Editors Forum meeting on technical editing and join the Society for Technical Communication's local chapter.
A number of Seattle-area agencies place technical editors, copyeditors, and proofreaders in short- or long-term positions at Microsoft and other firms. Sakson & Taylor's site offers helpful advice to those wishing to enter the field.
For more information on conducting your freelance business once you are an editor (setting your rates, finding clients and marketing yourself, handling your taxes, finding health insurance, and so on), see our Resources page.
Mark My Words: Instruction and Practice in
Proofreading, Peggy
Smith (Editorial Experts, 1997)