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Topic: Freelance copyediting/proofing for book publishers
| Author | Message |
| fredtryle | Posted – 3/28/2008 1:48:13 PM | show profile | email poster Hi, I couldn't find this information on this board - can anyone tell me which nonfiction book publishers use freelance copyeditors and/or proofreaders (working off site), and how to get started working for them? Any info. about rates is appreciated too, though I see this has been covered elsewhere. Thanks! |
| robbo | Posted – 3/28/2008 2:37:50 PM | show profile I think a good approach is to put together a list of all the nonfiction book publishers you can find or would want to work for and then call and ask the Managing Editor or Production Editor if they use freelancers and if so who should get your resume. You can find information about phone numbers or e-mail addresses on their websites usually or even the Writer's Market. Good luck! |
| leprechaunsy | Posted – 3/28/2008 3:02:04 PM | show profile what about fiction? |
| jkaufman | Posted – 3/28/2008 6:27:46 PM | show profile Do you know anyone who works at a publishing house? Because it's miles easier to get this kind of freelance work through contacts. Most editors happen to know a lot of freelancers through previous jobs, etc., or they're doing freelance work on the side, and I think that fills most of the openings. I would guess virtually every publisher uses freelancers, though--in-staff copy editors and proofreaders are increasingly rare. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 3/29/2008 8:34:42 AM | show profile Assuming you live in the NYC area, you might want to join the Editorial Freelancers Assoc. They have a job bank that lists this kind of work. |
| womaninbooks | Posted – 3/30/2008 12:00:08 PM | show profile If you've already got experience, you can also check bbboston.org, which often lists needs for off-site freelancers. |
| fredtryle | Posted – 3/31/2008 11:03:52 AM | show profile Thanks, all, for your responses. (To answer one question - I have no aptitude for editing fiction and am very particular about the fiction I read - tremendously moreso than the nonfiction.) I'm hoping to get beyond "who you know" because I don't know anyone in the book industry! I will check out the EFA and bbboston... but if anyone can provide the names of a couple of publishers that are known to use freelancers offsite, I'd appreciate that information too. |
| rhino writer | Posted – 3/31/2008 5:14:22 PM | show profile Elsevier does. |
| fredtryle | Posted – 4/3/2008 3:10:07 PM | show profile Random House Random House seems to discourage cold contacts, despite the fact that they use freelancers. From the Random House FAQ (http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/about/faq.html): "Do you employ freelance readers/editors/illustrators/jacket designers? No, we do not use any freelance labor in these areas. " How do you resolve that with this ad from MB: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=73994&page=1 "Art Director/Associate Art Director - Random House Your tasks The Random House Publishing Group seeks an Art Director/Associate Art Director to join the Cover Art team. Candidate will oversee and direct design for the division's titles, across all imprints. Will create conceptual and innovative designs for book covers, **manage freelance designers,** maintain production schedules and monitor budgets for titles." **emphasis mine ???? Why tell people you don't use freelancers, when you clearly do? |
| robbo | Posted – 4/3/2008 4:31:28 PM | show profile If you go to http://careers.randomhouse.com/Professionals/FAQ.html you find: "What do I do if I want to freelance/work from home/read or review books? You need to reach out to the specific group that you are interested in freelancing with. The Human Resources department does not accept resumes for freelance assignments. You must go through the imprint/publishing group in which you are interested ." So maybe they get a lot of resumes and questions to Human Resources about freelancing and they want to discourage that. I haven't tried to contact Random House so I don't know. |
| fredtryle | Posted – 4/3/2008 4:36:42 PM | show profile thanks robbo for your help. sounds like one part of the web site doesn't know what the other is doing. |
