By Jenne Acevedo Personal interaction is absent in much of our communication today. This can lead to confusion and even frustration. So how do you maintain professionalism and kindness via e-mail? Begin with a personal greeting. While I’m often focused on getting right to the point, it’s important to remember that I’m communicating with a…
By Ken Walker Although I didn’t intend for it to happen this way, I dashed off this blog post after spending a week out of town on a book project that is proving to be more rewrite than edit. The trip meant taking time away from a looming book-editing deadline. In the past, that would…
By Rachel E. Newman I must admit, I come from a family that doesn’t fit the status quo. As one of eight kids with two strong-willed, passionate parents, my life wasn’t perfect, but it was also never boring! I suppose Mom figured out at some point that she would need some outside support to survive…
By Helen Wakefield Authors and readers alike enjoy the element of romance and excitement that international setting and characters can bring to a novel. If the author has lived in that country, they have the advantage over other writers. Even if the author hasn’t been to the place they’re writing about, the internet enables them…
By Ralene Burke When people find out I’m a social media consultant, one of the most common questions I get from writers and editors alike is “Do I really need to be on social media?” The answer is YES! (And I meant to capitalize that word.) I’ve met the majority of my new clients in…
By Dori Harrell For freelance editors, one of the best ways to avoid famine periods is to edit for publishers and/or publishing-services firms. Many times, such contracts offer a steady supply of documents as well as the chance to reject manuscripts, which means that editors can fill empty schedule slots and choose projects that fit…
By Rachel E. Newman When I first entered the workforce right out of college, I had no idea how green I was. Experience truly is a valuable thing. It was my first time to work in an office setting, although I’d held various part-time jobs before that. As I grew accustomed to my new surroundings,…
By Kay Coulter Just starting out as an editor? Are you ready to dive in? The opportunity is there for you, so what’s holding you back? You always made high grades in English in high school or college—so that’s all you need to get started, right? No, you need to get ready. There is a right…
By Karin Beery Who doesn’t love the idea of working from home? Setting your own hours, no uniform or dress code, no rush hour – the perks are endless, right? Sort of. You can definitely set your own rules, but just because something sounds good doesn’t mean it’s going to help you run a productive…
By Christi McGuire When I started my freelance business, I didn’t even know I was doing just that—starting a business. I only saw it as doing what I loved—editing—and getting paid for it! After a couple years, I realized that I should be intentional about maintaining and growing my freelance business, and I also realized…
