Get your editing or proofreading business up and running

​Written for those with no prior publishing or editorial experience, this practical guide takes new proofreaders and editors, step by step, through the basics of planning their career.
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  • Chapter outline: why a business plan is necessary; the different aspects of editorial freelancing; training; client focus; getting experience; financial assessment; promotion; networking; and tools for the job.
  • Illuminating case studies: recent new starters reflect candidly on their editorial freelance journeys.
  • Tasks and learning goals in each chapter are enhanced with useful tips, tools and focus sections featuring experienced practitioners.
  • A comprehensive list of resources is provided, including training providers (UK), editorial societies, software, reference material, blogs and knowledge centres.
  • Don't have an e-reader? Not a problem. Even if you prefer the e-version to the paperback, but you don't have an e-reader, this guide comes in a variety of formats, including PDF, allowing you to download straight to your computer.
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​Other information

  • Words: approx. 28,000
  • Pages: 126
  • Language: English
  • Published: April 2013
  • Formats and devices: paperback, EPUB, LRF, MOBI, PDB, HTML, and PDF (multiple devices including Kindle, iPad, Sony Reader and Palm Doc)
  • Availability: paperback available from Amazon. Ebook available from Amazon and Smashwords 
  • Customers in India: visit Amazon India to order the ebook at a market-sensitive rate
  • Published in association with​​​ The Publishing Training Centre

​How to order

  • PDF: Available via this website (check the price: the Amazon Kindle version may be cheaper depending on which deal they're offering
  • Ebook: Available via Smashwords and Amazon
  • Paperback: Available from Amazon
  • Downloading ebook from Smashwords: Refer to the Smashwords download instructions (NB use the Safari browser for downloading to the iBooks app)
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

​An alternative: the Omnibus

If you'd prefer to access Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers and Marketing Your Editing & Proofreading Business straight from your desktop, laptop or tablet, take a look at the PDF Omnibus edition, which includes 42 chapters of additional related content.

​International recommendations from editors and proofreaders

Erin Brenner, Copyediting, USA: '[...] invaluable to copyeditors who want to run their own businesses, and you can refer to it frequently as you build your empire. It will even teach something to those of us who have been freelancing for a while. At full price, the book is well worth the investment to succeed with your new business.'
Adrienne Mongomerie, SciEditor, Canada: ​'Everybody: if you want to be a freelancer, read this book. If you want to be an editor: read it. If you’re well into your career and stuck – in need of a direction: read it. This guide will save you tons of time. It will help you shape the path you are on, so you get where you want to be.'
Katharine O'Moore-Klopf, ELS; KOK Edit, USA: ​'This is exactly the book that would-be editorial freelancers need to read before setting up their businesses. Author Louise Harnby gives practical, straightforward business advice and backs it up with portraits of successful editorial professionals. The case studies are quite instructive and inspiring. I will highly recommend Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers to all of the editors I mentor.'
Marie Shear, The Freelancer [Editorial Freelancers Association newsletter], USA: ​'Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers is a clear-eyed introduction by a realistic counselor.'
Hazel Harris, Wordstitch, UK: '​[A] savvy and realistic guide ... Louise combines a business-first approach with a richly informative overview of the profession that will be invaluable to newbies ... If you’re thinking of setting out on the journey to becoming a freelance editorial professional, make sure this is the first book you read.'
Jen Hamilton-Emery, Salt Publishing, UK: 'This guide is essential reading for anyone thinking of setting themselves up as a freelance editor or, as Louise Harnby emphasises throughout, an editorial business owner.'
Madhubanti Bhattacharyya, Edward Elgar Publishing, UK: '​Helpful, hopeful, yet realistic about the challenges ahead, this book will leave its readers better informed, and therefore better prepared, for their entry into this highly competitive field.'
Corina Koch MacLeod, Beyond Paper Editing, Canada: '​I recently purchased a copy of your book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish your book had been around when I started out with freelance editing. I especially appreciated the 'case studies.' I think freelancers who are starting out will be able to see themselves in some of those stories ... You’ve also given freelancers helpful action steps for building their businesses, and all of it in a highly readable package.'
Rebecca Loumiotis, Midnight Oil Proofreaders, USA: '[D]elivers exactly what its title promises. It's a straightforward, incredibly helpful presentation of things independent contractors need to consider – and it's as useful for those expanding and growing their businesses as it is for those just getting started. Full of specific examples and helpful advice addressing a range of editorial services, Louise Harnby's book is one I'll turn to repeatedly as I take my business to the next level.'
​Zac Wearden, Director, Cambridge Proofreading, UK: '​An excellent overview for the budding editor and those trying to improve their business. I wish I had this book years ago when I was starting out. It contains years of knowledge and experience that will be valuable to anyone looking at entering this competitive industry.'

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