Publishing Copy Editor - Proofreader

• liaising on a regular basis with authors and publishers via phone and email;
• working with IT-based publishing systems;
• working from paper manuscripts, disc or via the Internet;
• checking that the author has provided all the required materials and paperwork;
• assessing the suitability of the text for its intended readership;
• correcting any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors;
• producing or working to a style checklist to ensure consistency of presentation for dates, hyphenation, capitalisation and other aspects;
• coding manuscripts for design features, for example hierarchy of headings, for use by the production team;
• producing a design brief to show which design features are required;
• resolving queries directly with the author around areas such as style and text inconsistencies;
• creating artwork briefs to detail content of illustrations;
• ensuring that illustrations, captions and text match;
• preparing preliminary pages for the title, contents and preface of a publication;
• discussing and resolving any potentially libellous sections with the commissioning editor and author;
• overseeing the work of proofreaders, indexers, typesetters and designers as required;
• sub-editing text written by a number of authors for company publications in order to ensure a consistent house style;
• undertaking total project management for entire publications, such as a specialist journal;
• ensuring that publications are prepared on budget and to schedule;
• proofreading texts in preparation for production;
• managing marketing and business activities, if working on a self-employed basis.

• Some employers pay a flat rate per piece of work, which is dependent upon size and level of editing required.
• Working hours for freelance copy-editors are extremely flexible. As you would usually work from home on a self -employed basis, it is possible to work the number of hours you require as you wish, as long as you meet agreed deadlines.
• As levels of work vary, it is sometimes necessary to work long hours in busier periods. Because your input is often the last stage before production, you may be required to work to very tight deadlines.
• Copy-editors based in-house generally work the usual office hours, though these may be extended according to workload demands.
• Publishers are based in towns and cities throughout the UK, though there are higher numbers in London and the South East. As the majority of this type of work is available on a freelance basis, geographic location is less important, as you can receive work from all over the UK and overseas.
• Gaining freelance work in this area can be challenging, particularly at the start of your career. Freelance copy-editors who have progressed from working in-house for publishers to independent working have the advantage of gaining useful contacts and support from more experienced colleagues.
• Working from home on a freelance basis in a job in which most contact with others is via phone or email can lead to an element of personal isolation. Some copy-editors work in co-operatives or agencies to increase their personal support network. A benefit of working from home is the high level of control over your environment and greater flexibility in working hours.
• Working on a freelance basis demands a high level of personal motivation. It also requires the ability to manage the additional aspects of working on a self-employed basis such as tax, marketing and cash flow.
• Absence from home at night and overseas work or travel are rare

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