The quick and easy guide to using beta readers [FOR AUTHORS]
Oh, no … You didn’t just ask your spouse, your mom, or your best friend to read your book and tell you what they think,…
Copy-editing and proofreading
35 easy keyboard shortcuts to improve your workflow in Word
There’s a lot of talk among editors and wordy wordsmiths about using macros to help efficiency when you’re working. Truth be told, macros can be…
Inclusive language: 3 rules for editorial best practice
While the details of any book are important to get right, books about personal or sensitive topics require an extra level of attention to ensure…
Anonymity and the copy editor: Is it time to be recognised?
Here Sara Donaldson looks at the anonymity of the copy editor, why this is generally the case, and asks whether or not they should be…
Editorial freelancers, know when to say no
We’re in the business of saying yes … but just as important can be knowing when to say no – some projects may just be…
Working with self-publishing authors – Part 2: expectations and implementation
In Part 1: An industry of opportunity, Sophie Playle explored who self-publishes, why and how self-publishing has developed over the years, and what this means for…
Working with self-publishing authors – Part 1: an industry of opportunity
The self-publishing boom has happened and it’s here to stay. Options are increasing for writers choosing to take ownership of the publication of their books,…
Elevator pitches for editors
It’s that time of the year – at least in the UK – when the spring flowers are out, the birds are singing, there’s a…
Difficult authors: 14 tips for editors
Editors deal with all types of clients. Many of them are pleasant and easy to work with. Some can be very difficult. In a previous…
17 ways to annoy an editor
Editors deal with all types of clients. Many of them are pleasant and easy to work with. Some can be very difficult. Freelance copy-editor Sue…
Writing for international audiences
Writing has a huge potential audience now as we have many ways to access the written word. If not done well, though, writing for a…
7 practical changes to increase your rates
The subject of rates is often fraught with difficulty. We work in a competitive field, and there can be tremendous pressure on budgets. However, if…
7 steps for pricing your editorial work
Pricing editorial work comes up time and again in discussion between editors. Here’s an overview of the basic process of quoting for work, which can be…
The making of a unicorn (aka the ideal freelancer)
On Wednesday 15th February, Kathryn Munt, Astrid deRidder and Anna Faherty were in turns helpful, humorous and honest in their observations on outsourcing and freelancing. Astrid…
5 ideas to keep a freelance career interesting
In the run up to the next BookMachine event on Wednesday (15th), ‘Outsourcing Uncovered:Managing, inspiring and evaluating your out-of-house workforce‘, Liz Jones shares her top…
