Becoming a Professional Editor
A colleague recently mentioned an encounter with a proofreader who’d been hired to proofread a laid-out book (that is, in PDF form). The proofreader asked for the Word file to work from.
That’s not how proofreading a laid-out book works.
A friend had a client who wanted a developmental editor who could edit in Scribner.
That’s not how developmental editing works.
The DE client might be forgiven for not knowing but the proofreader can’t be. Editing of any type is not something you can just dive into because you got good grades in English class. It’s an actual skill that requires practical knowledge of how edits are delivered.
The Importance of Training for Editors
Many different organizations – including Club Ed, of course – offer editorial training to help you understand the professional rules of the road. Please take advantage of those opportunities before you hang out your shingle.
