How Can I Be an Editor Too? Part 5

How Can I Be an Editor Too? Part 5

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. In previous posts in this series, I talked about what background and training are necessary to be a full-time editor. I talked about building a resume and defined how a qualified editor can find work from home by citing my own editing journey. Then I discussed what day-to-day life is like for a work-at-home editor (my experience may not match everyone’s). In this post I discuss billing clients and keeping record of my work. A Word about Pricing Many folks don’t realize how many different types of editing an editor can perform. Do you know the difference between a basic copyedit and a substantive edit, or between a developmental edit and a proofread? Check out this article at my editing website to better understand the important differences. Obviously I don’t charge the same price for every service because some services require more time and effort than others. Here’s a breakdown of my…

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How Can I Be an Editor Too? Part 1

How Can I Be an Editor Too? Part 1

I get this question a lot. “Hey, I heard you edit books from home. I’m really good at seeing typos in restaurant menus. How can I do your sort of job?” Yikes. That’s like asking somebody who knows how to change a flat tire to change a carburetor. There’s a lot more to making a living as an editor than being able to spot typos in menus, though that skill is commendable. The fact is, not just anybody can do this job, just like not everybody can listen to your heart and tell you whether you need heart surgery. So let me break down what being an editor means and what type of education and experience are expected to make a living at this. 1. To be taken seriously and be effective in the trenches, let’s get to the foundation—you need to be really good at English. Ugh, English? Yes,…

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