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!
Photo credits:
Jen's Pen Den 