Are you new to freelancing? Wondering how to launch your own freelance editorial business or find clients? We field questions like these all the time. That’s why we’ve decided to put together a definitive list of resources for new freelance editors (that’s you!). 

We’ve organized this list by topic to make it easy to navigate. Click the Contents box below to navigate directly to a topic that interests you, or scroll down to go through the list in order. We’ll be updating it regularly to provide members and nonmembers alike a one-stop-shop for starting a freelance editing business. Ready? Time to get exploring!

Getting Started

EFA Classes

Paths to Freelance Editing Careers: Launching Your Editing Business is a curated bundle of essential webinar recordings that cover the basics of planning your business, keeping track of key data, and drawing in clients. Purchase webinars individually, or bundle three or more together for a 10% discount!

The EFA also offers a number of other courses and recorded webinars about entering the industry and acquiring editing skills. Free access to many of these webinars is included in EFA membership.

Other Resources

• Freelancing 101: Launching Your Editorial Business, Revised Edition, by Ruth E. Thaler-Carter and Robin Martin (2020)
• The Club Ed Guide to Starting and Running a Profitable Editing Business, by Jennifer Lawler (2019)
• The Business of Editing: Effective and Efficient Ways to Think, Work, and Prosper, by Richard H. Adin, edited with introductions by Ruth E. Thaler-Carter and Jack M. Lyon (2013)
• Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers, by Louise Harnby (2013)

Developing Your Skills

EFA Classes

The EFA frequently runs online courses on copyediting, developmental editing, line editing, nonfiction and academic editing, managing a freelance business, and more. Some classes are self-paced, while others occur over four to six weeks. We also offer live webinars. View our active courses page for the most up-to-date information.

Other Resources

Katharine O’Moore-Klopf’s website, KOK Edit, provides a wealth of resources for editors. Be sure to check out her Copyeditors’ Knowledge Base if you aren’t already aware of it. She also maintains a list of many outlets for editorial education:

• Education and Certification (KOK Edit)

Some U.S. universities offer certificate programs and courses in editing. Here is a sampling of some of these:

• University of Chicago Graham School (editing certificate program)
• UC San Diego Extension (copyediting certificate)
• UC Berkeley Extension (professional sequence in editing)
• Poynter ACES (editing certificates)
• UCLA Extension (copyediting course)

Finding Your Peers

Professional associations are a wonderful way to access continuing education and meet fellow editors. Here are three associations to consider joining if you’re located in the U.S.: 

Editorial Freelancers Association

Founded in 1970, the Editorial Freelancers Association is a 501(c)(6) run almost entirely by volunteers who are editorial freelancers like you. Through our Diversity Initiative, we promote diversity and actively seek members of groups that have been historically marginalized. Join the EFA today to be eligible for a number of member benefits of particular interest to new editors, including:

• 20% off all courses and webinars
• Access to the EFA’s online Discussion List, where participants exchange ideas and advice with hundreds of other editorial professionals across the globe
• Public listing in our Member Directory, which is regularly searched by publishing professionals and independent authors
• Access to jobs on the EFA Job List
• Discounts on editing software, industry conferences, reference materials, and more
• Access to current and past issues of our monthly newsletter, the Freelancer, which is packed with useful news and tips
• Access to members-only chapters in your local area
• Opportunity to attend our biannual conference and boost your knowledge and skills, and network with fellow freelance editors in person

ACES: The Society for Editing

Started in 1997 as a group to foster support for news copyeditors, ACES is a 501(c)(3) organization that has grown to include editors of all types. Their annual conference is a great place to meet your peers, and they also offer online and in-person training, networking opportunities, a public directory, and a quarterly journal, Tracking Changes. 

Professional Editors Network (PEN)

Launched in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) based in Minneapolis, PEN welcomes all types of editors and regularly hosts in-person events (in the Twin Cities area) as well as online classes and networking opportunities. They offer a public directory and a monthly newsletter, Networking News. 

Other Resources

Don’t see what you’re looking for above? Not located in the U.S.? Katharine O’Moore-Klopf keeps a regularly updated list of professional editorial associations around the world that you may be interested in joining:

• Professional Associations (KOK Edit)

Building Your Business

In addition to the resources listed here, we’re frequently adding new items to the “Running an Editorial Business” section of our recorded webinar catalog. Check there for the most complete list.

Marketing and Building a Client Base

EFA Recorded Webinars

• Digital Marketing Primer, instructor Erin Brenner
• Creating a Persuasive Website for Your Freelance Business, instructor Erin Brenner
• Winning Clients Over with Sample Edits and Proposals, instructor Amber Helt
• Ethically Compiling an Editing Portfolio, instructor Letitia Henville

Other Resources

• The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Content Marketing, Podcasting, Social Media, AI, Live Video, and Newsjacking to Reach Buyers Directly, by David Meerman Scott (7th ed.; May 2020)
• Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling, by Michael Port (3rd ed.; 2017)
• The Smooth-Sailing Freelancer: How To Find, Sell, and Retain More Freelance Business, by Jake Poinier (2015)
• Marketing Your Editing & Proofreading Business, by Louise Harnby (2014)
• The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market Itself, by John Jantsch (2012)

Setting Your Rates

• Free Course: Charge What You’re Worth, instructor Molly McCowan
• The Science, Art and Voodoo of Freelance Pricing and Getting Paid, by Jake Poinier (2013)
• What to Charge: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants, by Laurie Lewis (2011)

Creating an Editing Contract

• The Paper It’s Written On: Defining Your Relationship with an Editing Client, by Karin Cather and Dick Margulis (2018)

Incorporating Your Editorial Business

• “Do I Need an LLC to Start a Business?,” by Jane Haskins, Esq. (LegalZoom)
• “How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC? Fees by State” (StartingYourBusiness.com)

Getting an EIN

• “9 Benefits of Getting an EIN (Even If You Don’t Have To),” by Priyanka Prakash, JD (Fundera)
• “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online” (IRS)

Managing Workflow and Work-Life Balance

EFA Recorded Webinars

• Business Data for Freelance Editors, instructor Maya Berger
• Tracking Editorial Projects from Start to Finish, instructor Katie Chambers
• Preserving Mental Health in Times of Crisis, instructor Christina Frey

Other Resources

• Juggling on a High Wire: The Art of Work-Life Balance When You’re Self-Employed, by Laura Poole (2015) 

Networking

EFA Recorded Webinar

• Networking for Editors, instructors Brittany Dowdle and Linda Ruggeri

Other Resources

• Networking for Freelance Editors: Practical Strategies for Networking Success, by Brittany Dowdle and Linda Ruggeri (October 2021)
• Networking for People Who Hate Networking, Second Edition: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected, by Devora Zack (2nd ed.; May 2019)

Using Social Media

EFA Recorded Webinars

• Leveraging LinkedIn to Grow Your Freelance Business, instructor Laura Briggs
• Beyond Hashtags and Reels: Using Instagram’s Organic Features to Promote Your Freelance Editing Business, instructor Neva Talladen

Other Resources

• The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success: Kick-start Your Business, Brand, and Job Search, by Wayne Breitbarth (4th ed.; 2019)
• ResumeWorded
  • This tool gives instant feedback on how to improve your LinkedIn profile and, if applicable, your résumé.
• LI Tips for All Levels of Experience (LinkedIn group; must be signed in to access)
  • This group provides useful tips and peer support for marketing yourself on LinkedIn.

Connecting with Editorial Professionals Online

The EFA Discussion List and Discord server
The EFA’s Discussion List and Discord server are open forums where members share their knowledge and questions about grammar, editorial freelancing, and the freelance lifestyle. Both are invaluable source sof lively, frank, informative, and respectful discussion. To join the Discussion List or the Discord server, you must be an active member of the EFA. Join here!

Copyediting-L
Founded in 1992, this email discussion list is still going strong. Sign up to receive digest or individual messages, and ask specific questions and share resources with fellow editors right in your inbox. Also, be sure to look at the Resources tab for links to macros, style guides, and much more.

Editors’ Association of Earth!
This Facebook group has grown into a massive collection of editors all over the world who provide tips, advice, and support.

Other Valuable Resources

The Freelancer
EFA members receive the Freelancer newsletter as a complimentary benefit. It focuses on information of professional value to freelancers and is published bimonthly—in February, April, June, August, October, and December. Online archives begin with volume 26, number 3 (January–February 2002). Not a member yet? Join here to access this resource.

EFA Booklet Catalog
Check out our entire booklet catalog for titles on everything from marketing to working with authors.

Louise Harnby: Training Courses and Books
UK editor Louise Harnby offers a wide range of prerecorded webinars and eBooks for editorial professionals, ranging in topics from business branding and social media marketing to building an editorial blog and bettering your editing skills.

An American Editor Blog
This long-running blog, started by Rich Adin and now owned and run by Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, has many valuable resources for editors. Subscribe via email to get posts delivered to your inbox.

The Subversive Copy Editor Blog
Carol Saller, contributing editor to The Chicago Manual of Style and author of The Subversive Copy Editor, writes on a wide range of topics of interest to both editors and authors.

CMOS Shop Talk Blog
Find helpful posts here on everything from en dashes to bibliography entries. This is an offshoot of The Chicago Manual of Style and is also home to the Chicago Style Workout, a great way to test and sharpen your knowledge of Chicago style.

Conscious Style Guide
Created by copywriter and editor Karen Yin, the Conscious Style Guide is considered a leading language guide for editorial professionals. The Conscious Style Guide’s mission is “to help writers and editors think critically about using language—including words, portrayals, framing, and representation—to empower instead of limit.”

Freelancers Union
Founded in 1995 by Sara Horowitz, Freelancers Union is a nonprofit that grew out of freelancers’ need for affordable health care. The organization advocates for freelancers’ rights and provides health insurance and other resources.

On Editing & Writing

Here is a sampling of the editing books that our members often reference:

• The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications, by Amy Einsohn and Marilyn Schwartz (4th ed.; 2019)
• What Editors Do: The Art, Craft, and Business of Book Editing, by Peter Ginna, Ed. (2017)
• The Subversive Copy Editor, by Carol Saller (2nd ed.; 2016)
• Developmental Editing: A Handbook for Freelancers, Authors, and Publishers, by Scott Norton (2011)
• Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing

 

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These links are provided for informational purposes only—they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Editorial Freelancers Association of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation, organization, or individual. The Editorial Freelancers Association bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of any external site or resource linked here.