Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
Publishing copy-editors and proofreaders ensure that texts due for publication are well written, grammatically correct and accessible. They work on a range of publications, including books, journals, newspapers and IT-based resources.
Depending upon the project, the employer and their own specialist experience, copy-editors/proofreaders may be required to correct basic spelling, typographical and grammatical errors (proofreading), or check facts and style consistency and undertake significant rewriting (copy-editing). Many perform both functions in tandem.
Increasingly, copy-editors and proofreaders are employed on a freelance basis by publishing companies. It is not uncommon for them to work for a number of employers at the same time.
Work activities depend upon experience and whether you work in-house or freelance. They may include:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:
Graduates with a technical or science-based degree may find it easier to obtain freelance work for specialist publishers and society journals, particularly in the early stages of their career.
Entry with an HND or foundation degree only is unlikely, unless you can demonstrate an aptitude for the work and/or some highly relevant experience.
A relevant postgraduate qualification in publishing can increase your chances. There is a wide range of publishing qualifications available and it is important to choose one that is relevant to your interests and career plans. Links to courses are provided by The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) . Pre-entry experience is advisable, preferably within a publishing environment, although gaining this type of experience in an editorial role may be more difficult.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
For those working on a self-employed basis, business skills in areas such as tax, marketing and cash flow are vital.
Try to find work on university magazines or publications or spend some time working in a bookshop or library. Think of creative ways to gain the relevant experience of editing and proofreading as early on as possible.
Graduates hoping to enter this career may find it difficult to gain an in-house role immediately. It may, however, be possible to start as an editorial assistant and to get involved in proofreading and working on editing texts, in order to progress to copy-editing after one or two years.
Identify smaller and perhaps less well-known publishers to begin with who may be more likely, or able, to offer work. This can help develop a network of contacts and will enable you to build up a strong portfolio when making applications to larger companies later on.
Generally, the way to get freelance work is by sending a CV and speculative application directly to potential employers and by making and maintaining contacts in the industry. See listings in appropriate directories, for example SfEP Directory of Editorial Services , for details of contacts. Attend trade fairs, read trade publications and get to know the key players in the field. Also, try to focus on a particular specialist area as this will help you identify companies and publishers to target.
It is also advisable to get involved with relevant professional organisations such as the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP), the SYP and Women in Publishing .
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Copy-editors and proofreaders based in-house are likely to undergo some basic training whilst working, which usually includes shadowing and receiving support from more experienced colleagues.
A variety of training courses are provided by professional organisations, such as:
Technical skills are a key part of this career and need to be updated on an ongoing basis, particularly in response to developments in technology. These organisations provide a range of technical courses, available on a seminar or distance-learning basis, covering areas such as:
The SfEP also provides courses on developing a successful career as a freelancer and offers two levels of professional qualification, Accreditation and Registration.
The Bookseller prints a list of training courses on a quarterly basis. There is a wide range of courses so it is important to be selective and strategic in your choice. It is generally advisable to take a course offered by a professional body, such as the SfEP or the Publishers Association (PA) .
Copy-editors and proofreaders generally begin by editing text at a fairly basic level before progressing to more complex editing and restructuring, which is more highly paid.
With experience, freelance copy-editors and proofreaders can begin to focus on a preferred area of work and on a particular subject area, such as science, medicine or food writing.
It is also possible to move into a project management role if you are working freelance or a managing/desk editor role if you are based in-house. These roles involve managing a publication over a longer period of time and subcontracting or allocating work to copy-editors and indexers. Within the largest publishing houses this can be a natural progression, though it is not always the chosen route. Other experienced copy-editors have progressed into offering a complete package of editing, typesetting and on-screen layout.
In-house copy-editors tend to move between jobs frequently during the early years of their career in order to develop the widest range of experience and contacts possible. This is especially important for those considering freelance work in the future.
Whichever route you intend to take, it is advisable to join The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) and The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) as early in your career as possible. Membership offers support and opportunities for professional networking in what can often be an isolated role.
Making and maintaining contacts within the industry is vital to developing a successful career as a copy-editor or proofreader. Whilst well-targeted speculative applications may lead to work, being known to editors and commissioning editors within publishing companies is an equally common way of securing work and moving up the career ladder.
The vast majority of copy-editors and proofreaders are now self-employed and work on a freelance basis. There is a limited number of in-house positions, particularly with very large publishers, and competition can be fierce.
Employers within the book publishing sector include companies that produce general or consumer books. These include best-selling fiction and non-fiction. However, it is more difficult to obtain editing work in fiction and other areas are more likely to provide work. These include:
The market in corporate publishing is developing. Large, commercial organisations regularly produce their own staff magazines, newsletters and publicity materials and may employ freelancers for all, or part, of the production process.
Specialist recruitment agencies tend to advertise senior-level vacancies. These include:
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