Description

This class is meant for editors with some experience who would like to branch out from working primarily with indie authors. The information and assignments are meant for both copy editors and developmental editors.

Face it, much as we love working with indie clients, sometimes what we’re looking for in a client is steady work, clear expectations regarding what we do, and a reliable accounts payable department.

Book publishers and packagers can make great anchor clients for freelance editors, creating a reliable base on which to rest your editing business.

But trying to get work from publishers and packagers can feel a little like searching for Yeti. Do freelancers really get work from publishers – even if they don’t know anyone at the company?

Yes! Many freelance editors of all types (developmental editors, copy editors, proofreaders) get some, most, or all of their freelance work from publishers. You could be one of them.

This class covers:

• how to get the experience you need to be considered for these kinds of projects
• various ways of approaching publishing companies (an irresistible letter of introduction, effective networking, and more)
• the ins-and-outs of working successfully for publishing companies

Assignments (with instructor feedback) include writing a letter of introduction, creating a brief marketing plan, and performing a skills assessment.

Instructor Jennifer Lawler is the author or coauthor of more than 30 books, including a number of novels under various pen names. A former college English teacher—try not to hold that against her—she now works as a freelance writer and book development editor. She has worked as an acquisitions editor for a romance imprint and was once a literary agent. In her spare time, she teaches copyediting for the University of California–San Diego, even though she unfortunately lives nowhere near San Diego. She earned her PhD in medieval English literature from the University of Kansas and a black belt in Taekwondo at approximately the same time. She has not quite decided which has been more useful.

“Jennifer’s feedback was wonderful. As a freelancer I don’t get feedback often, so this was refreshing.”