The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network

The Christian Editor Network

The Christian PEN is a mutual support organization for aspiring proofreaders/editors, established freelancers, and those who are just starting in the field. Although passing on job leads is one benefit, that's not the main purpose for the network.

Since starting this group, several people have asked about coming up with a way for established professional editors to be connected with serious potential clients.

To meet this need, I founded the Christian Editor Network. This is a "matchmaking service" to put authors, publishers, and agents together with qualified, screened editorial freelancers.

Editors who are interested in being listed in the CEN database can fill out an application on the Web site telling me about their business and providing references from satisfied clients. Then they take a brief test in whatever type(s) of editing they wish to offer. The test(s) must be passed with at least an 80 percent for the editor to be added to the CEN database.

Authors, publishers, and agents who visit the site can fill out a request form identifying the type of editorial service they're looking for, a brief description of the manuscript(s), rate range, turnaround time, etc. I match these requests with the information in my database, then pass along the lead to the editors who most closely fit the request. Those editors are then free to contact the potential clients and deal directly with them.

This service is offered free to authors, publishers, and agents. For editors, there is a one-time enrollment fee of $40 to be set up on the database. ($5 fee to make changes to the database later on.) The editor agrees to pay a 15% referral fee for the first year he or she works with a referred client.

If you are interested in joining this organization, please go to the Web site and fill out the online application. The $40 enrollment fee can be paid by check, cashier's check, or money order or through PayPal.

If you know of any professional Christian editors who would be interested in joining this organization, please feel free to pass this information on to them. If you'd like a supply of postcards to take to conferences or to hand out or mail out, I'd be happy to send you some. Cost is 10 cents each, and I'll cover the postage.

-Kathy Ide
Founder and Director,
The Christian PEN and
Christian Editor Network