Freelance
Proofreading and Copy-editing – A Guide
What
the Guide is (and isn't)
If
you have read the answers to the frequently asked questions you will know
that it is possible to become a freelance whatever your current experience
or situation. Of course, if you are starting from scratch, a little
guidance is always useful. I know to my cost that much time can be wasted
(not to mention a fortune incurred in telephone charges) sourcing vital
information: Which of Britain's 3,000-odd publishers use freelances and
which don't? (There are actually over 30,000, but the output of many is
either minimal or highly specialized.) Where are they? How should you approach
them? Who else could you approach? Which reference books are most useful?
What types of training are available and where?
Many
of the answers to these questions can be found in my guide. It's not a
massive volume, but the information contained within its 96 large-format
(A4) pages could prove priceless to the newcomer. Areas covered include
The
book production process
How
to read and correct proofs
Copy-editing,
rewriting and project editing
Reference
books and training options
A
glossary of publishing jargon
How
and where to find work
101
potential customers (with addresses and telephone numbers)
and
much more
There
is also a section of exercises, similar to the proofreading test, but on
a larger scale and of far greater scope. Analysis and explanations of corrections
are provided where necessary to help you understand why they were made.
The information and exercises contained in the guide, together with one
or two inexpensive reference books available from any bookshop, will enable
you to begin your freelance career straight away by undertaking straightforward
proofreading assignments. It will also tell you how to set about acquiring
the necessary skills and experience to progress to the more lucrative fields
of copy-editing and project management.
Freelance Proofreading and Copy-editing – A Guide is just that:
a guide. It is not a correspondence course or a ‘teach-yourself’ book (although
I hope that the exercises will provide you with many useful background
basics for any formal training you may decide to embark upon), and it is
certainly no get-rich-quick scheme. It is, I hope, a mine of information
that will save you a great deal of time and trouble in launching your career
as a professional proofreader and/or copy-editor – time in which you could
be earning money. Costing only around what you could expect to earn for
ninety minutes' proofreading, I think it's a terrific investment. However,
if after reading it you feel that you are not cut out for freelancing,
simply return your guide within thirty days and your money will be refunded
in full – no questions asked. (Please note that this money-back guarantee
applies only if the guide is purchased direct from the ActionPrint Press
– see below.)
Like any other, the publishing world experiences constant change. Companies move, merge or are taken over; information requires updating. Built-in obsolescence is a problem affecting many reference works, and my own is no exception. To address it, I have compiled a list of such changes and made them available online in my 'Information updates' section.
There are some unsolicited independent reviews of the Guide at Amazon. Fortunately, they are kind (but, honestly, I had nothing to do with them), so I'm happy to promote their content. To read them, visit my bookshop and follow the ‘buy online’ link at the top of the Welcome page. Then click 'read more' and scroll down. (This will not commit you to a purchase.)
How
to order
1. Buy
direct:
To
order your copy of Freelance Proofreading and Copy-editing – A Guide
direct, please send a cheque, postal order or international money order
for £15.00 sterling, payable to ActionPrint Press, together with
your name and address to
ActionPrint Press (Guide)
Woodcot
Virginstow
Devon EX21 5DY
UK
Postage and packing is free to any UK address. For other European destinations, including the Republic of Ireland, please add £1.00 (total £16.00); for all other overseas destinations, please add £3.00 (total £18.00). Overseas orders are dispatched by air mail. Please note that direct orders cannot be placed using credit cards or via e-mail, and that all cheques
must be drawn on a bank with UK clearing facilities.
2. Buy
online at amazon.co.uk:
Simply
visit my bookshop and follow
the link at the top of the Welcome page.
The
guide can also, of course, be ordered through any other online or high-street
bookshop (except possibly Blackwells, whom I decline to supply directly, although they could order it from a wholesaler instead). Please note that you may have to pay extra for postage and packing
if ordering online, and that my money-back guarantee does not apply to
online or high-street purchases (Mr Amazon, Mr Waterstone et al. being
of less-generous spirit than I).
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