How to Become an Editor and Proofreader

If you're considering a career in editing or proofreading you probably have a love of words and a good eye for detail - this guide will give you everything else you need; including a feel for the business and a clear idea of what to do to get started. Patricia Stone discusses the many different types of freelance and in-house editing and covers topics such as commissioning, acquisitions, verification and book editing.

The guide contains a wealth of information, giving you the opportunity to be specific about the kind of work you want and providing you with the knowledge you need to plan your approach. It takes you from establishing whether you have an aptitude for editing and proofreading to what you can expect to earn in your first year and thereafter. There's a section on emerging trends in publishing and a stack of resources - books, websites, proofreading guides and examples. You will know how to avoid the common mistakes that 'newbies' make and how to continue to advance your career. Like our other career guides it's a handy reference book that you will find useful for years to come.
Look inside!!

Table of Contents

1) Welcome to the Topjobguide®: How to Become an Editor and Proofreader
What's in this guide?
About the author

2) The Editing and Proofreading industry
Emerging trends
The industry spectrum

3) Careers in Editing and Proofreading
The different roles
In-house editor and proofreader
Freelance editor and proofreader
The range of positions in the industry
Commissioning editor or acquisitions editor
Editor
Copyeditor
Proofreader

4) What are editing and proofreading about?

5) A typical day in the life of an editor and proofreader
In-house editor and proofreader
Freelance editor and proofreader

6) What skills do you need to become an editor?
Self-check: do I have what it takes?

7) An introduction to editing
More on the editing role
Technical assistance
Author's intention
Genre consistency
Presentation
The different kinds of editing
Structural editing
Copyediting
Macro editing
Micro editing
Verification editing
In-house editing
Freelance editing and proofreading
Children's picture book editing
e-book editing
Self-editing

8) Editing a book
More things to think about
ISBNS
Agreements and insurance

9) How to get started in a career as an editor and proofreader
What an editor and proofreader can earn
Earnings in the industry
Developing a successful career as an editor and proofreader
What the main criteria are
What qualifications do you need to have?
What subjects should you learn?
Getting started in an editing and proofreading career
Setting out as a freelancer
Applying for employment in an organization
Getting qualified
Distance education
Classroom training
One-to-one coaching
Getting work
What you need to do to get hired
Getting promoted
Writing tips

10) Exercises in proofreading and editing

11) Useful references
Contacts and websites
Useful books
Handy resources

12) Standard proofreading marks
Australian standards for editing practice
Preface
A. The publishing process, conventions and industry practice
B. Management and liaison
C. Substance and structure
D. Language and illustrations
E. Completeness and consistency

13) Examples of editing work
Example of an excerpt of edited manuscript
Example of a report on an edited manuscript
Report by Chris Ticehurst ©2005 on Vadey, the Short Love Story

14) Editing and proofreading – Great Careers!