Whether you specialize in developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, or some combination of the three, there are a few great online platforms you can use to kickstart or revamp your freelance career.
Editing
Crossing the Line: Knowing your Edit
By Courtney Young @courtlbunny
When a copyeditor is entranced in correcting inconsistencies, they can get trapped in suggesting rewrites and spending too much time leaving comments on plot, which is the job of a developmental editor. Sometimes a developmental editor can be so distracted by the grammatical errors that they end up scanning the whole manuscript before proceeding to plot hole corrections.
How to Guide an Author to Read Poetry to Improve their Prose
By Georg Sperle @georgsperle
In the developmental editing process, you might notice an author relying on similar images and words that are repeated every so often throughout the manuscript. As editors, we can facilitate and expand the growth of our authors’ prose through poetry to inspire fresh language and images. By encouraging the author to read poetry for specific craft skills and ideas, they can translate what the poets are doing to their prose writing, and add more diverse elements to their style.
Dynamic Strategies for Editing Comics
By Cole Bowman
Some publishers that don’t typically focus on comics sometimes include one or two in their catalog, so even if you’re not looking to specialize in comics editing, it can be useful to know how to handle a comic if it comes across your desk.
The Art of Compassionate Critique: Why Building a Strong Editor-Author Relationship is Vital to a Book’s Success
By Emma Wolf
Taking criticism is never easy, especially when it comes to a piece of creative work. Respectful and open communication between author and editor will lead to the most fruitful editorial process, which is why establishing solid author relations needs to be a high priority for a book editor.
Lies My Teachers Taught Me: The Evolution of the Writing Process
By Rachel Howe
I wish I had learned about the connection between editing and revising sooner. I fell in love with revision and realized that my passion is in helping other writers create their best work. Revising helped me realize that I want to work in the publishing industry; I just wish these connections were made clearer in high school. I would have realized my passion much sooner.