For the past year, I’ve been kicking around the idea of starting a freelance editing business. I’ve always enjoyed editing and critiquing other people’s work, and helping them find ways to make it better. In fact, if I wasn’t pursuing a career as a published author, I’d likely be in NYC right now working for one of the major publishing houses.
…Well, trying to.
I finally decided to take the plunge a few months ago, during the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge. Throughout the competition, multiple writers contacted me to see if I’d be willing to edit their work. And not just out of the goodness of my heart, but for an actual price.
That’s when it hit me: People value my opinion, and they value it enough to pay me. So, why not? Why not pursue another passion of mine by creating a freelance editing service?
I decided to start off small by accepting work from those who’d contacted me via NYC Midnight. I figured if I could handle those projects, then I could handle more. And if I couldn’t, well, I’d be able to bow out and nobody would ever know it.
Well, I handled each project just fine. I successfully edited two manuscripts, critiqued eight short stories, evaluated a screenplay (which is now being considered by Lionsgate) and reviewed two first chapters. Nobody got mad at me, rejected my evaluations, or told me I sucked…Not that I thought anyone would, but you know. I had to prove I could do this. And I can!
So now it’s time to take things to the next level.
Last weekend, I sat down and created my website, Jen’s Edits & Critiques.
I’m so excited to share this website with you and start promoting my editing services properly. And I hope you’ll help me by sharing it with your friends and colleagues. Whether it’s a manuscript, short story, website, marketing brochure, or anything else that requires red pen treatment, I can help. I want to help!
I hope this next step in my editing journey goes well. It’s always a joy to get to do something you love, and editing and critiquing stories is something I adore. So…Fingers crossed!
For a full list of my services and additional details, click here. You may also refer to the Jen’s Edits & Critiques tab at the top of my blog in the future.
Thanks, everyone!
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Awesome, Jen! Congrats and best of luck with the venture. I may be knocking in a couple of months when the manuscript is complete!
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Congratulations and best of luck with your enterprise!
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Congratulations! I’m trying to do the same thing, though business is slow. Any tips on starting and finding new clients?
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Thank you!
Honestly, the best advice I can give is to 1) network through writing competitions like NYCM (where there’s a forum for competitors to interact/critique each other’s work), and 2) create authentic relationships with other writers via competitions, Twitter, writing groups, conferences, etc.
I’m sure I’ll learn more as I grow my business, but for now, those are the two big things I focus on. Good luck! Hope things take off for you 🙂
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If I may offer a word of advice on this subject, I use a freelance website known as Upwork, and I’ve gotten the majority of my work there.
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Awesome advice. Thank you!
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No problem! Upwork has been pretty amazing for me so far. 🙂
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CONGRATS! I’m so excited for you! way to make your dreams come true!
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Very cool! I started down this road, but had to put a hold on it for a bit. Someday I’ll be joining you in the freelance world!
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Congratulations, Jenna. Now I know where to come when I finally get around to being serious about publishing some of my short stories. I still need a lot of nudging 🙂
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Yes! I’d love to help out whenever you’re ready 🙂 Are you signed up and ready for the NYCM Flash Fiction Challenge? I can’t believe it’s only a week away. Ahh!
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Yes I am, but I’ve got the Bloggers Bash in London on Saturday, so I don’t know if I’m now going to get the chance to enter it. I’ll see what I can do.
The very best of luck in the challenge.
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Jen, really enjoy reading your blog posts. I’m working as a freelance editor without actually being one. Coauthoring books, and copyediting a screenplay just because I love doing it. The only background is writing for years, starting with poetry, then stories. And I completed a year long online university Copyediting Certificate Program. As a retired nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatry, I seem to work well with writers, understanding their psychological make-up and how to communicate successfully. Have you written anything about that dynamic? I’m new to your blog so may have missed it. Best Wishes for continued success. Christine
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