Proofreading work ...

Sixer

OneYorkshireLass wrote: »

I proofread. I have done copy-editing before but don't have a qualification.

I'll try BubbleCow and self-publishers. Thanks.

Welcome! How were you taught to work? Via hard copy and industry mark-up? If so, be aware that an awful lot of work these days is done via Word or Adobe and comments/tracked changes.

OneYorkshireLass

Sixer wrote: »

Welcome! How were you taught to work? Via hard copy and industry mark-up? If so, be aware that an awful lot of work these days is done via Word or Adobe and comments/tracked changes.

Yep, hard copy etc. I'm teaching myself track changes and comments (well, trying to ...).

marginex

Hi OneYorkshireLass,

I have been trying to send you a PM but its not allowing I dont believe, could you PM me your email address, I have something I would like to email you with that I think you might be interested in :-)

Thanks

Brett

Mandelbrot

OneYorkshireLass wrote: »

If it were my publication then I wouln't allow anything to be published that wasn't proofread as it'd make me look unprofessional.

:whistle: _ _

OneYorkshireLass

Mandelbrot wrote: »

:whistle: _ _

:eek:

There's always one! :rotfl:

In my defence I find proofreading my own work quite difficult.

OneYorkshireLass

marginex wrote: »

Hi OneYorkshireLass,

I have been trying to send you a PM but its not allowing I dont believe, could you PM me your email address, I have something I would like to email you with that I think you might be interested in :-)

Thanks

Brett

Your PM came through and I've replied

jennihen

Bit of a bump here for this thread!

I am currently trying to help a good friend find some gainful employment - limited work options due to illness.

Proofreading could be an option for her. We've found loads of 'courses' but none of them are accredited as such.
Can anyone give us a few pointers how to get started?

Many thanks in advance.

heretolearn_2

Honestly I know you see these proofreading courses advertised all over the place, but it's going to be a waste of time for most people. There simply isn't ANY substantial demand for freelance proofreaders, honestly, there never was much of a demand. It was really only book publishers that used to use them, but now it's rare for books to be proofread independently - publishers expect the authors to do it themselves. I'm not saying there are zero proofreading jobs, but with no other relevant skills/contacts/background, you are never going to make a go of it.

The OP, with journalism and copyediting background, may find a way to get into some sort of role that includes proofreading, but I doubt very much if there is still more than a handful of people earning a living just through proofreading.

OP, I would also suggest possibly contacting printers - although again these days proofs are normally just chucked back at the client to check, even for setting errors!

(ex freelance copywriter and copyeditor - and I sometimes used to train people to do their in-house proofreading).

Sixer

heretolearn wrote: »

Honestly I know you see these proofreading courses advertised all over the place, but it's going to be a waste of time for most people. There simply isn't ANY substantial demand for freelance proofreaders, honestly, there never was much of a demand. It was really only book publishers that used to use them, but now it's rare for books to be proofread independently - publishers expect the authors to do it themselves. I'm not saying there are zero proofreading jobs, but with no other relevant skills/contacts/background, you are never going to make a go of it.

The OP, with journalism and copyediting background, may find a way to get into some sort of role that includes proofreading, but I doubt very much if there is still more than a handful of people earning a living just through proofreading.

OP, I would also suggest possibly contacting printers - although again these days proofs are normally just chucked back at the client to check, even for setting errors!

(ex freelance copywriter and copyeditor - and I sometimes used to train people to do their in-house proofreading).

In some ways I agree with this and in others I don't.

I think there is an opportunity here given the rapid expansion of the self/vanity publishing sector which is being pushed on by e-readers.

The problem is that these individual publishers rarely understand the difference between copy-editing and proofreading. Or even structural editing and copy-editing and proofreading. Many react badly to perceived criticism of their babies.

To carve out a niche in this environment is possible, but you'd need to be multi-skilled, I think. You'd need to be able to proofread, copy-edit and preferably index to industry standards. You'd need selling skills and you'd need to approach a large number of potential customers as they're all individuals. And you'd really need the ability to create and maintain a professional-looking website.

A tall order, but if you can fill it, I do think you could make some money.

heretolearn_2

self/vanity publishing sector which is being pushed on by e-readers.

True, I'm sure there are opportunities there and I do see plenty of ads for these services. But as you say, doing more than proofreading. Plus, I also think most self publishers approach it on a shoestring budget - can you earn enough to make it worthwhile?