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Doing quick manuscript evaluations

ByJennifer Lawler

I once had a manuscript land on my desk was written in such an abstract way (“glorious silver moon moments brandish sparkles”) (not a direct quote) that I couldn’t figure out how to begin to edit it. This was for a publisher client who would send projects my way without giving me a chance to…

beginning developmental editing for fiction.
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Developing a Book Editor Mindset

ByJennifer Lawler

Developing a book editor mindset is as simple as understanding a few basic principles, including how to read a manuscript like an editor. Developing a Book Editor Mindset Beginning developmental editors sometimes ask me how “awful” books make it onto the New York Times bestseller list, and how can we worry about what makes a…

colorful under the sea background with words finding and landing indie author clients.
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Differences in Working for Indie Authors and Publisher Clients

ByJennifer Lawler

I think it’s important for editors to understand the differences in editing for indie authors and publisher clients in order to make a thoughtful decision on which type of cient to pursie, or perhaps to attain both types of clients. Here are some of the most helpful tips I’ve gathered in my experience to help…

happy birthday club ed
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Club Ed Turns Six!

ByJennifer Lawler

I established Club Ed on a bleak winter day on the Kansas prairies, dreaming of blue skies and sunshine. That was in 2018, and now it’s 2024, and I’m about to celebrate Club Ed’s sixth birthday. Pretty spectacular for something I wasn’t sure would last out the winter. The following year, I packed up The Chicago…

how to start a freelance business
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10 reasons to start your freelance business in 2024

ByJennifer Lawler

Ever wondered if you should start a freelance business? If you’ve ever thought of chucking your day job, I’m here to encourage you! 10 reasons to start a freelance business in 2024 1. You’re tired of being laid off every four months. 2. You’re fed up with having to ask permission to be sick, see…

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Editing as a Second Act Career

ByJennifer Lawler

Who chooses editing as a second act career? Most of the students who come to Club Ed to explore editing as a career are leaving other careers so are choosing editing as a second act career. Some of them are teachers who are burned out from low budgets, unhelpful administrators, and parents and school boards…

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The Stages of Book Editing

ByJennifer Lawler

What are the stages of book editing? Book editing can be broken down into multiple pieces, so what exactly are the stages of book editing? Recently I came across this request (paraphrased): “A potential client has written a science fiction novel (350,000 words) and is asking me to proofread the manuscript, offer inline fact-checking on…

Perks of being a freelance book editor
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The perks of being a freelance book editor

ByJennifer Lawler

If you think you might enjoy becoming a freelance book editor, read on! This site is intended for freelance developmental editors (DEs)—that is, DEs who aren’t employed by publishing companies but run their own businesses. This allows much more flexibility for the very many people in the world who need it. (More than forty percent…

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Editorial terminology

ByJennifer Lawler

Use the right words to prevent client confusion The other day I saw a writer upset that their editor promised several passes through their manuscript but in fact only did one. It was a classic case of miscommunication of editorial terminology. What the writer expected was for the editor to provide feedback through several revisions….

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What makes a good editor?

ByJennifer Lawler

Writers often assume that being an editor can’t be all that different from being a writer. But writing and editing are two very different skills. What makes a good editor is not the same as what makes a good writer. Being a writer has certainly helped me understand what the writing and revision process is like…