Written by Ken Walker Whether ghostwriting or substantive editing, one of your most essential tools is research. It will enliven stories, correct factual errors, and avoid problems like copyright infringement. I have discovered this by helping authors with ghostwriting, editing memoirs, and editing teaching material. Recently, I completed the memoir of a Vietnam War-era veteran […]
Written by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes Since my parents passed away, I’ve considered how much I miss them. I remember how they were always there for me, correcting my mistakes, showing me care, and encouraging me. I miss them for countless reasons, but what stands out the most is the impact they made as my first mentors. […]
Written by Rebecca Faith Some people have the idea that working from home is a perpetual comfort fest. Wear your pajamas or boxers all day; get up late and work whenever and however much you feel like; catch up on your favorite YouTube videos or scroll your social media in the afternoon. Family members may […]
Written by Jayna Baas Welcome to our bimonthly blog series for “newbie” editors. You’ve finally taken the plunge into professional editing—congratulations! Or perhaps you’re still testing the waters. In either case, you may be wondering, Where do I start? To build a good foundation as an editor, familiarize yourself with the essential resources professional editors […]
By Martin Wiles Let’s face it. Not all of us have the luxury of editing full-time. I’m one. Five days each week, I teach writing and English to 120 rambunctious, less-than-focused middle schoolers—most of whom would rather be elsewhere. Over the past decade, I cannot calculate how often I’ve been asked, “Why do I need […]
Written by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes When I started freelancing a few years ago, I wasn’t sure where to start. Coming from working as a school administrator, I didn’t know the first thing about finding new clients. I didn’t know my way around the publication world. Determined, I attended conferences, read books and articles, sought expert advice, […]
Written by Janyre Tromp A developmental (or substantive) edit can be one of the most nebulous and contentious of edits. There are few hard-and-fast rules and more than a few confusing marketing concepts involved, all of which can make the waters murky and authors and editors nervous. But it doesn’t have to be difficult or […]
Written by Liz Tolzma I love getting requests for editing from new clients and getting to know them. Turning that client into a repeat customer is another trick. How can you build client relationships and turn one-time requests into returning customers? Professionalism It may be as obvious as a peacock’s tailfeathers, but handling yourself professionally […]
Written by Rebecca Faith Freelancing is not easy, and productive freelancing takes diligence. First, you must find work. Second, you must get the work done. If you don’t have work, or not enough work, you may be saying, “No problem, just give me some work.” If that describes you, then your “work” is to do […]
Written by Denise Loock “Americans report having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support,” says the Survey Center on American Life. In other words, even though the pandemic demonstrated how much we need one another, fewer Americans prioritize connecting with […]
