Proofreading work ...

Aelius · 20 October 2011 at 5:46PM

heretolearn wrote: »

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?

Exactly. Before University I worked as a freelance editor, and did some work during semester proofreading dissertations for friends [not editing, as that would be seen as cheating.]

It's very rare to come across a self-publisher who will pay for a professional editor. Read up on Amanda Hocking who did use 'editors' and still simple errors were missed. It's even rarer to find one who is looking just for proofreading. Also, expect a writer to want to see your credentials and probably references from clients.

Unpublished writers, who are looking to create a submission package may be an idea, but again will want to see a checkable work history.

Sixer · 20 October 2011 at 9:21PM

Aelius wrote: »

It's very rare to come across a self-publisher who will pay for a professional editor.

I don't believe this is actually true even now, in these early days - and I speak from experience.

And the main opportunity lies in the fact this is an extremely underdeveloped market. The service is needed and self-publishers will become more sophisticated over the next few years.

If someone were to combine copy-editing with proofreading (people such as Bubblecow are basically doing this right now) and are capable of throwing indexing into the mix, then I would say that one person could produce work done in three stages via traditional publishing at a price the developing self-publishing market can afford (and using technology they'll be familar with instead of traditional mark-up) and actually make a decent living.

I know one published novelist, for example, who was dropped by his publisher because they couldn't make any money out of him. But he has a loyal band of several thousand fans. He's now self-publishing in digital form only and commissioning his own editing. He makes more doing this than he ever did from royalties on his dead tree books.

There is a developing market out there - but it'll need a range of modern editing skills rather than these old-style mark-up qualifications and courses, which are a waste of money if you ask me. People get into this by selling themselves, networking and word of mouth, not by paying for courses.

OneYorkshireLass · 21 October 2011 at 3:49PM

heretolearn wrote: »

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!

Will do, thanks.

Some interesting debates coming out too. Self-publishing is a growing market, there's probably oodles of work to be had. I think it's just a case of convincing amateur authors that their work will always be taken more seriously if spelling and punctuation has been corrected.