Proofreading and Editing courses - recommendations?

White_Sapphire

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good proofreading/editing course, and would love a few personal recommendations to see who provides a good quality, comprehensive course. I'm especially looking for one which includes modules on finding work and accounting etc, as I have never been self employed before.

So, professional proofreaders and editors, who did you do your course with and were they good?

Many thanks!

White_Sapphire

Cheeky bump, just in case anyone who can help missed it.... :whistle:

Sixer

I don't think any of the courses are worth paying for. Most of this work is done in Word or Adobe via tracked changes these days. The old markup is dying out. It's a very competitive industry and you'll find it quite difficult to get an "in" if you don't know anyone already in it. Having said that, there's a burgeoning market in self-publishing which you could approach - but you won't find much in the way of formal advice about this. I would save on pennies and buy some books:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pocket-Book-Proofreading-Freelance-Copy-editing/dp/0955143721/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1327067324&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Succeed-Freelancer-Publishing-Complete/dp/1845284232/ref=pd_sim_b_6

podperson

I used to work in proof reading and editing and don't know of any courses that the 'industry' was particularly that impressed with. Most of them are just trying to make a quick buck out of telling people things that they should know anyway if they want to be in that business (basic grammar etc). As mentioned above it's extremely competitive, I have an English degree and experience in the field and think I would struggle to get back into it these days.

Gazing_On_Sunsets

I do some freelance editing and it's not a full time living. I've done no courses on it. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, I'm afraid. Also, though it sounds like a dream job, it can be very boring. All my work is on screen, using track changes as mentioned above. Believe me, after 8 hours of reading gay erotica, your eyes will be boggling.

White_Sapphire

Thank you all for your advice, it's much appreciated.

I'm not intending to make a full-time career out of it, but rather to use my English skills to get a second income.

I'm both glad that spending 300 quid on a course is unnecessary, and disappointed that mentioning a specific course or qualification won't help me get work!

Thanks again all.

trixie4

Hello, I've done a course which was OK. Helped a lot in learning the proofreading marks but I'm afraid a lot of it is practice and natural talent. Course was at The Publishing Training Centre in London. As for your CV, the course may help, but I've seen a lot of CVs listing specific projects they've done which was the most impressive when hiring, so maybe offer help to friends and get what jobs you can and then go from there!