| People interested in other freelance writing | | | | publication's staff reporters and foster general |
| careers usually look upon copy editing with disdain. | | | | enmity. |
| Copy editing doesn't involve attention to the | | | | Since rewriting someone's article causes you |
| actual structure of a piece, they say, and involves | | | | more additional work as well, why would you |
| little research and fact-chasing necessary to | | | | want to do it? Instead, just try to achieve |
| create a lively, memorable article or story. | | | | sufficient clarity while leaving as much of the |
| However, copy editing carries its own unique | | | | original article "as-is" as you can. If there are any |
| challenges; such as: | | | | substantial portions of text that inhibit clarity or |
| 1) you need to pay careful attention to the basic | | | | exhibit serious mechanical errors, talk to the |
| mechanics of writing; and | | | | writer personally before making any changes. Yes, |
| 2) you need to pay attention to accuracy, both in | | | | it's an extra step, but one that ensures |
| facts and in language. | | | | professional respect in the workplace. |
| Freelance copy editing isn't just a simpler offshoot | | | | If you don't want to work for a publication, there |
| of freelance writing in general, but an important | | | | are plenty of opportunities available for freelance |
| discipline in its own right -- and a rewarding one. | | | | copy editing, both for corporations and for private |
| To become a successful copy editor you need to | | | | individuals. Educational publications, in particular, are |
| know how to use style guides. With some | | | | always looking for good copy editors, and book |
| exceptions, editors of newspapers, magazines, | | | | publishers and literary journals always have a few |
| and other print publications require you to write in | | | | spots available. You can find out about these |
| a homogeneous style, both to compensate for | | | | opportunities through classified ads, or by making |
| writers with occasionally sloppy spelling and usage | | | | inquiries directly to the company. There's typically |
| and to ensure consistent terminology over time. | | | | a lot of competition in these sorts of jobs, so a |
| (This is important with newspapers: the names of | | | | solid interview technique and some excellent |
| foreign leaders, organizations, and other | | | | samples are mandatory for securing work. Once |
| foreign-language nouns are often subject to | | | | you have your foot in the door, though, |
| variant spellings.) | | | | corporate copy editing can provide a stable -- if |
| The most commonly used style guides include AP | | | | occasionally dull -- source of income. |
| (Associated Press), MLA (Modern Language | | | | Copy editing projects offered by individuals are |
| Association), and Chicago. Any budding freelance | | | | another option, and one which can bring you a |
| copy editor would do well to own a copy of each | | | | more varied body of work and a much more |
| of these, and to become familiar with their use | | | | informal attitude toward style guides and format |
| before applying for jobs. Prospective employers | | | | restriction. But this option carries with it some |
| will not hire copy editors who lack knowledge of | | | | heavy caveats. Often, copy editing projects given |
| style guides. Use a product like StyleEase | | | | by individuals amount to ghostwriting without |
| software to help with style. | | | | appropriate compensation, and pay rates can be |
| Fact checking is another prime skill for copy | | | | sketchy as well, ranging from low to nonexistent |
| editors, as it is a publication's first line of defense | | | | (with a promise of "resume experience," maybe.) |
| against accusations of libel or misrepresentation. | | | | Although when work is consistent, low pay isn't |
| Fact-checking is a simple procedure: call the author | | | | necessarily a problem, individuals can rarely |
| of the article, ask for his or her sources, and, if | | | | guarantee a sufficient volume of work to ensure |
| warranted, call the sources directly to confirm | | | | your livelihood and a decent career. |
| quotes or statistics. Different publications will have | | | | Before you accept individual copy editing projects, |
| different procedures for fact-checking, all of which | | | | make sure that you know how much you'll need |
| should be explained when you take a job. | | | | to make per hour to make the project financially |
| Beyond that, all that it takes to become a | | | | worthwhile (as well as an estimate on how many |
| successful copy editor is a sensitivity to | | | | hours the project will take), and don't accept less |
| cumbersome phrasing, grammar, and spelling, as | | | | than that hourly rate. You may get less work |
| well as a sensitivity to an author's personal style. | | | | with this approach, but clients won't rip you off |
| Many novice copy editors take a far too forceful | | | | either -- an important consideration for |
| approach to their work, effectively rewriting a | | | | professional copy editors. |
| reporter or other writer's article for them in line | | | | Copy editing is a good, low-stress writing job, |
| with style guides and their own ideas about what | | | | enjoyable on its own merits or as practice for |
| makes good writing. This isn't the function of a | | | | other freelance writing goals down the line. You |
| copy editor. Yes, clarity, grammar, and other | | | | can succeed as a freelance copy editor if you |
| issues with writing mechanics are all important, but | | | | familiarize yourself with style guides, and have a |
| a writer's ego is important as well, and a too-free | | | | good grasp of grammar, spelling, and style usage. |
| hand in the editing process can alienate a | | | | |