The ages of freelancing

Recently, I’ve been pondering age a lot. Last September I turned 45, and I’m at that point where I’m starting to feel it. Not in a terribly dramatic way, because I am fortunate enough to be in good health, but more a notion that I need to take a little more care of myself, that I am not as physically … Read More

Blog appreciation: March

Here are some posts by other editors and writers that I’ve enjoyed reading recently. Editing tests, clients and the editor by Ayesha Chari The question of whether or not editors should take tests to secure work is a fraught one. I’ll come right out and say that I’m perfectly happy to take a test for a client if I think … Read More

Setting boundaries as a freelancer

Last week I wrote about how anxiety can affect freelancers, and in passing I mentioned the need to set boundaries. I thought it might be helpful to say a bit more about that. For me, one of the most important aspects of building a sustainable freelance career is taking control. Sometimes, especially when we start out, it can feel as … Read More

How I learned to deal with freelance anxiety

I thought I might write a post about imposter syndrome, as this is something that affects so many freelance editors, sometimes to the point where they no longer feel they can function. But then I realised that imposter syndrome isn’t something I’ve often been troubled by in my editorial career. I’ve nearly always maintained a firm belief that, twenty-something years … Read More

A six-month affair

When I started this new blog, I thought it would be interesting and relevant to include reviews of books I had been reading for fun. I haven’t written one until now because I have essentially been reading the same book since last September. In July last year, I started writing a memoir. By December I had almost finished a first … Read More

Blog appreciation: February

Here are some posts by other editors and writers that I’ve enjoyed reading recently. Why you need and how to work with a book indexer: a guide for authors by Paula Clarke BainAs Paula explains in this fascinating article, many authors are now routinely asked by publishers to organise their own indexing. While some will opt to index their books … Read More

Proofreading or copyediting? That which we call a rose …

Every time I write a blog post, just before I hit ‘Publish’, I let myself be tormented briefly by a column of three orange and red faces in the Yoast SEO submenu, which my web designer must have installed when he set up the WordPress site. For example: No focus keyword was entered: red sad face, no comment. Readability analysis: … Read More

When subject matter matters

Last weekend I needed to work for a few hours on both Saturday and Sunday. Usually, I try not to work at weekends, but when my children aren’t in school, as is currently the case, it’s often necessary to make up for working time lost in the week. One thing I’ve found over the years is that I prefer not … Read More

Seven things freelancers know about time

I used to experience time like any other person. Then I went freelance. Seriously though, working for myself has made me see time differently. I’ve spent my whole editorial career – whether as an employee or self-employed – focused on deadlines, but since running my own business, somehow they matter more. The responsibility for sticking to schedules lies with me … Read More

Blog appreciation: January

Here are some posts by other editors that I’ve enjoyed reading recently.* A Quick Guide to Discovery Calls by Erin Brenner This post particularly resonated with me this month, although I wasn’t familiar with the term ‘discovery call’. Quite often I will have a chat with a prospective client prior to agreeing a work contract. However, there are limits. I’m … Read More