How to Succeed as
a Freelancer in Publishing
Charlie Wilson & Emma Murray

The Writers' and
Artists' Yearbook
Guide to Getting Published

English Grammar for Dummies, UK Edition

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer within

You Know You're
A Writer When...
Alair Lara

INFORMATION FOR FREELANCE EDITORS/PROOFREADERS

The Book Specialist team comprises experienced, capable, efficient, creative proofreaders and editors who are passionate about books, writing and the English language. All my editors are hand-selected; all are people with whom I enjoy working; and all are committed to the same high standards that my business reputation is built upon.

On this page you can get some advice on being a freelance editor and proofreader, see what I look for in a Book Specialist editor, and find out whether I am currently recruiting for more team members.

BECOMING A FREELANCE EDITOR/PROOFREADEROver the years I've had a lot of enquiries about freelancing editing and proofreading. And I've given out a lot of advice. I wrote a column for the Society of Young Publishers' magazine on the subject. I've given talks in London to aspiring freelancers, covering everything from handling tax to finding clients. And I've co-authored a book with ghostwriter Emma Murray called How to Succeed as a Freelancer in Publishing which was featured in The Bookseller's 'Best books on publishing'.

Many people want to become a freelance editor and/or proofreader. The freedom and challenge of freelancing is attractive, as is the rather romantic notion of spending your days on the sofa in your pyjamas marking up the proofs for your favourite author's latest novel. But the reality is that freelancing proofreading and editing is seriously hard work, and not for the faint-hearted or thin-skinned.

If you're considering going freelance as an editor, proofreader or writer, the best advice I can offer is to be 100 per cent businesslike in your approach. Think of going freelance as setting up a new business - and be prepared to do all the hard graft and long hours that come with being your own boss.

THE BOOK SPECIALIST EDITORS AND PROOFREADERSA freelance proofreader and editor working for The Book Specialist must have the following:

• · Bookshelves crammed with books across various genres
• · Critical, logical mind
• · Desire to be part of a team
• · Experience in writing, editing and proofreading
• · Genuine passion for books and writing
• · High standards
• · Natural writing ability
• · Positive, friendly approach
• · Professionalism
• · Sensitivity and respect for the author (the client)
• · Willingness to learn and develop knowledge, understanding and skills

All editors and proofreaders go through training with me, and all are initially supervised in their editing/proofreading until I'm satisfied that they're editing and proofreading to the same standard as me.

It's important to me that I work with a small, close-knit team of editors, so that I can guarantee quality results and so that running the agency is fun, not a grind. So I'm selective about who works with me. Those people in the team benefit from my support in developing their writing and editing skills, which opens up new opportunities, and from having colleagues, which diffuses the isolation of freelancing.

WORKING FOR THE BOOK SPECIALIST

I am not currently recruiting for editors. Please check back in six months.