Written by Megan Ryan

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Editing is a valuable skill and one that deserves a paycheck. Jesus told his disciples, “The worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7 NIV). So I believe it is generally good to be paid for your work, and donating your time and expertise should not be done out of guilt or obligation. But if you are feeling called to give back with your editing, here are some ways you can consider.

1. Volunteer to edit for a nonprofit

Churches and nonprofits generate content that could benefit from a proofread. You could offer to review your church’s bulletin or website. A nonprofit you support might need their newsletter or advertising copy proofread. Whether you feel a nudge to help with a specific event or an ongoing project, this could be a blessing to everyone involved.

2. Serve in a writing-related organization

There are also options to volunteer with a nonprofit or organization that is focused on writing or publishing, such as a conference or writers’ group. These groups might not need your editing skills specifically, but your work will help other writers or editors.

These groups may need assistance outside their event, such as organizing information or designing fliers and social media posts. Or they might need extra hands setting up the venue or serving meals when they have an event. They would probably be grateful for whatever time you can offer, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Some of these roles may not provide any compensation, but some may offer you financial benefits (such as freebies or discounts). I am the volunteer coordinator for the Well Conference for Christian Creatives. I don’t get a paycheck, but I get some other considerations. The attendees who have volunteered at the event have received freebies, like some meals or conference recordings, as a thank-you gift. But I think their efforts were still acts of service to the rest of the participants.

3. Donate a service

Another way to help an organization or conference is to donate a service for them to use as a prize or auction item at an event. You could donate editing for a specific item (such as a proposal, website homepage, or first chapter), or you can offer to edit a certain number of words or hours on a project. Then make a certificate explaining the prize so that there is a physical item to give and the winner knows how to redeem the service.

4. Be a writing contest judge

There are many writing and book awards out there, and they each need judges to help evaluate the submissions. Some contests that I know of that you can volunteer to judge for are the Editors’ Choice Award, Word Weavers Florida Tapestry Awards, ACFW Kid Lit, and the Aurora Contest through Realm Makers. There are probably a plethora of other options!

Each contest has its own format and requirements for judging, and they usually have a scoring rubric plus space for comments. In my experience, you can often specify which types of writing you would like to read and the number of entries you want. For some contests, you read a portion of a manuscript and provide feedback. For others, you are asked to read the entire book before scoring it.

Last year, I was a judge in the Editors’ Choice Awards for the first time. I liked being able to support my fellow editors’ efforts and share feedback with them and the authors. It was interesting to read a variety of entries, which are full manuscripts. Round 1 focuses on finding PUGS errors, and if you find twenty-five in one submission, you can stop reading. So the time commitment varied for each entry I was assigned.

5. Help fellow editors

While fully mentoring a colleague may be beyond what you are called to do for free, there are smaller ways to make a difference for other editors. You could be intentional about graciously answering questions on the PEN Loop or offer opportunities for prospective editors to contact you for advice.

When you get inquiries for projects that aren’t a good fit for you, you can suggest other editors or even offer to reach out to them on the client’s behalf. This helps the potential client and your colleagues.

If you are further along in your editing career or are an expert on a specific topic, you can share your knowledge in videos, blog posts, or other formats. I have gotten great insight from colleagues’ posts here, their own blogs, and their YouTube channels.

Remember . . .

While some of these ways to give back may lead to networking opportunities that do provide financial reward, if your goal is to serve others, it’s important to do the tasks you choose with excellence even if there is no business yield.

Never forget that your skills and expertise are worthy of a fair fee. I trust that giving of your time in editing-related tasks will be a blessing if God is nudging you toward that kind of ministry. Be prayerful and open to the opportunities he brings your way and do those assignments cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). If you’ve donated your skills in any way, I would love to hear about your experience.

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