Learn Freelancing

SUCCESSFUL FREELANCE PROOFREADING and COPY-EDITING 

with Learn Freelancing in 2012

 

See below on why you should avoid some 'proofreading courses' costing hundreds of pounds each!

 

• For the latest Amazon book review see below

                     

Learn all the secrets of successful freelancing for publishers. Work at home, full or part time. No experience needed. Learn how to read for profit.

                             

• Learn at home, at your own pace
• Money-back guarantee on every proofreading and editing course
• Completely up-to-date course, available online
• One of the best books on proofreading generally
• Learn how to earn extra income from home
• Instant download of the Proofreading and Editing Course
• The Pocket Book of Proofreading now available for download as a Kindle edition.

 

If you like the idea of working from home as a freelance proofreader, Learn Freelancing can show you how. (William Critchley originated his editorial/proofreading course many years ago (1988), making it the first course of its kind not just in the UK but in the world.) Since then, the course has been continually updated and revised - to the point of perfection!

You can see for yourself if you read a copy of The Pocket Book of Proofreading. All the essential information is there. Beginners are welcome too.

Working in publishing is stimulating and rewarding but you need to acquire the right skills. Freelancing can offer you the real opportunity, after training, to be sent proofs (typescripts of books) through the post, direct from the publishing house to your home address or through the Internet.

This skill can pay you around £21 an hour, and £24 and more for copy-editing. If you can find two or three publishers to send you work you’ll be kept busy all the time, and enjoy the freedom of earning extra income from home. Competition can make it tough to get started. 

Learn Freelancing gives you the best possible start.

You’ll receive free email support for any queries you may have, and you get the backing of a professional course to help you get started and find work, with lots of practical advice and tips thrown in!

The Pocket Book of Proofreading contains 262 pages filled with essential information and tips.

Learn Freelancing is also the only course provider offering an instant PDF download of a proven course, making this course fantastic value for money. There's no need to spend hundreds of pounds on 'laggard courses' to learn this skill. Distance learning has never been better - with Learn Freelancing!

 

See what Mark says below.

Thanks to Mark for this, posted on Amazon.co.uk:

Good things do come in small packages!

From Mark T. (Gloucestershire, England), 28 July 2008I have been 'doing a bit' of proofreading and copy-editing over the years. I have paid over two hundred pounds for a correspondence course and bought several hallowed tomes on the subject.

William Critchley has done a fantastic job of writing this excellent book. It covers everything I did on my correspondence course and brought the material fully up to date. It is a much friendlier read than some of the other books I have read on the subject.

There really is everything you need to become or improve as a freelance proofreader or copy-editor. The online material is an excellent adjunct to the book (and is very reasonably priced). There is even email support should you require help.

There is a wealth of knowledge from someone who really has been there and done that! I highly recommend this fantastic resource and I shall refer to mine often.

Another five-star review, with thanks to A.E. Newton ('Bungle')

An excellent book, it has made me consider my written work more carefully and look at books from the perspective of a copy-editor/proofreader. I have learnt so much and I hope it will improve my written work.

A four-star review, with thanks to Nicholas R. Collard ('urbanspaceman') 21 November 2009

This is a very useful skip through the various elements of proofreading. It provides guidance and advice, suggested further reading and must have books for those with serious professional aspirations. The humour helps keep the pages turning. Well worth the money.*

Thanks also for this latest (edited) five-star review to Heidi Brand 18 December 2009

Excellent Practical Guide, 18 December 2009

I am studying proofreading and copy-editing via a correspondence course, which is fine, but I was searching for additional help and practical exercises without having to pay a fortune. I found it in this neat, concise and easy to read book. The writer's style is very positive and even some of the more complex areas are handled with ease. The exercises included are worth the price alone. If you are thinking about becoming a proofreader, already studying through a course and/or just want some information about the whole subject look no further. I looked at many alternatives and eventually chose this after reading the reviews. I hope you do the same. If like me you live outside of the UK try Amazon.fr for this book, in the English books section, it's cheaper because the price is already in Euros.

Thanks to Catherine for this exceptional review (April 2010)

The proof of the pudding . . . 6 April 2010

This review is from: The Pocket Book of Proofreading: A Guide to Freelance Proofreading and Copy-editing (Paperback)

Delve into this book and you won't be able to put it down!
It makes for a good read and whilst being entertaining and stimulating you won't realise you are learning!
Although it is written in a slightly informal, almost quirky style, it delivers its message thoroughly, concisely and unambiguously.
The chapters on finding work, contacts, business tips etc. are invaluable. I will certainly be following Mr William Critchley's advice.
Overall it is a mine of great information, a reference book to cherish.

Also very many thanks to Paul Ambrose for this 5-star review. 

This book grabs you from the first page. It is written with light-heartedness, but also explains the difficulties of finding work as a proofreader. Very informative and inspiring. If you want to take up proofreading forget all the other books and expensive courses, buy this and the accompanying course (details within the book).

*When he writes about a 'skip through', I think he means a kind of sauntering, gambolling serendipity with a dash of humour here and there along the way, as opposed to a light 'skip through', implying just skimming over the surface of things! To write, edit and proofread all 262 pages was seriously hard work.

 

Minimum Hourly Freelance Rates

The recommended or suggested minimum freelance hourly rate for proofreading as of 1 March 2011 is (according to SfEP, the Society for Editors and Proofreaders): from £20.25, from £21.80 for copy-editing, and from £26.00 for substantial editing and rewriting. Next update on freelance rates due March 2012.

 

*PS: the original course was known as 'Freelance MS'. I sold the domain name but you can still see the original website (minus images) at www.freelancers.co.uk.

 

PS: You can read reviews of the The Pocket Book of Proofreading on Amazon.co.uk here.

 

LATEST NEWS: The Pocket Book of Proofreading is now available as an e-book in three formats:

Adobe Digital Editions (Apple iPad/Sony/epub), Mobipocket (Kindle/mobi files), and Adobe Reader Format (PC/PDF).

 

Free reading apps from Amazon: see below

A useful glossary of publishing terms from the Oxford University Press (OUP)

PS: Try this link for useful information - advice for freelances from the NUJ - National Union of Journalists - on how to negotiate fees.

Thanks to Lisa for this testimonial (16th September).

Dear William

I have just purchased your proofreading course. I am looking forward to
receiving it.

I already have a copy of your excellent book so please could you deduct £15
from the total cost of the course.

Many thanks

Lisa M. (Dulwich, London)

And To Sarah for this: (8 October 2010)

Dear William,
I am emailing to inform you that I have placed an order for the download of your Proofreading and Editing Course.  Thank you.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your book and am looking forward to getting started on the course.

Yours sincerely,
Sarah M. (Bishop's Stortford, Herts)

 

---

And for this, also from Pauline:

 

Dear William
 
Many thanks for the emails and downloads which have all been printed off successfully.
 
I have already completed a Distance Learning Course with another company, but unfortunately was a minus away from a plus, so didn't get my certificate. I didn't find them very helpful at all and completely lost my confidence.
 
Already with just briefly looking through the downloads and reading "the" book I can see a huge difference and am itching to get going. How I wish I had found your course first!
 
Kind regards
 
Pauline J.

 

And to Bronwen (17 November 2010)

 

Hello
 
I have purchased your book and am in the process of working through it. I have reached a stage where I have ordered the PDF download and would like to have the book discount against my order, sent in today.
 
I am really finding your book a great help - am almost at the end of another course and am at the worrying-whether-I'll-get-work stage of things (and no, I'm not sure whether that should have been hyphens or in quotes!). Working through your book has lifted my spirits - (and yes, I know that and the previous one should be an N dash, but I don't have one easily available!), not an easy thing to do on a wet Cumbrian day when we'll need the light on even during daylight hours!
 
Kind regards
 
Bronwen D.

 

William Critchley

Managing Editor

e: editor@learnfreelancing.com

w: learnfreelancing.com

 

Free Reading Apps! Read anywhere: click here

 

 

Thanks to Debs for this!

 

Dear William,
 
My name is Deborah C***** and I have just purchased your proofreading course via your website (Google Checkout).
I already have your book (which I'm really enjoying by the way!) and would like to ask if you could therefore deduct £15 to the price of £59 to my order.
 
Please let me know if this is ok, although I'm sure I will find out soon enough on my bank statement.
Thanks in advance and thanks for all your great work too!
 
Best wishes,
 
Debs

 

______________________________

 

Thanks to Anna for this:

 

Writing as a buyer who has only read this book and not yet attempted to enter into proofreading as a profession, I can't comment on the accuracy of Critchley's guidance for finding work in this field. However, I found the book a very useful read in terms of acquainting me with the realities of professional proofreading and as an introduction to the basics of the job. I also wasn't expecting such an extensive section of the book dealing with spelling, punctuation and grammar, which was a welcome surprise.

As the title suggests, this is a pocket book and readers are advised to purchase further reference books if entering into proofreading professionally. Critchley provides plenty of information about which are the best to buy, especially when just starting out.

In addition, he provides a downloadable set of online proofs on which to practise. I haven't used these yet so, again, can't comment on them, but this certainly sounds like a useful and effective tool. There may be a charge attached to them but I'm not sure.

Overall, I really would recommend this book to anyone who wants to find out about the world of proofreading as it not only deals with it theoretically but is an educational tool, complemented by anecdotes from Critchley's own experience. The author is honest and writes accessibly. He (very wisely) won't get your hopes up about becoming a successful freelance proofreader, but he will definitely point you in the right direction.

..............

 

Learn Freelancing offers probably the best value for anyone wishing to start a career as a freelance proofreader or copy-editor.

 

Save £££s. Learn how to use the skills you've learned from The Pocket Book of Proofreading to earn up to £24 an hour, working from home.

Why pay hundreds of pounds for the usual 'laggard courses'?  *

You can rely on Learn Freelancing to help you succeed!

 

* CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?  Why you need to beware of some 'proofreading courses' costing hundreds of pounds each!

 

'The course [which cost £249] in question was a binder full of other proofreaders' work, including yours. After reading a couple of reference books, I  noticed the entire course was made up of random paragraphs from your book, reference books and bits from My Grammar and I, albeit with slightly different wording. The advert conveyed the idea that a person could be earning within a few months (using only that course), but at the end of the course it stated it was an "introduction to proofreading"! I wouldn't dare approach a publisher after reading an introduction to proofreading. I also noticed a typo. It referred to New Hart's Rules correctly on one page, then on the following page it referred to it as "New Harts Rules". I emailed the director of studies in a rage saying I couldn't possibly trust a course on proofreading that hasn't been proofread. I am aware we all make mistakes, but a missing apostrophe in a book title is just daft.'

 

..............

NB The Proofreading book is currently out of stock. A new edition is being prepared and should be ready January 2011 from Amazon.co.uk! At present the only purchasable copies are the Kindle edition on Amazon.co.uk plus a few paperback copies direct from this website on the Order page.

 

New stock arriving at Amazon.co.uk by end of next week (12 January 2012).

 

• Proofreading marks

  Easy to learn but still absolutely necessary if you want to master the subject of proofreading. Find out more, and see what they look like.

• Sample pages

  Check out these sample pages from The Pocket Book of Proofreading, the course and the extra exercises.

• Santorini

  The proofs of the story about the Greek island. Where is it? Why is it so famous? A few answers for you on this page, including a view over the bay (caldera) plus a wonderful fresco of two boxing boys.

• Why Learn Freelancing?

  You’ll be glad you did. For a quick overview read more here, find out how many pages you should read per hour, and how much would you get paid for proofreading 330+ pages?

• Recommended books

  These are essential – just two to read about here. The New Oxford Dictionary for Writers & Editors, and The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook. The other essential book? You need The Pocket Book of Proofreading!

• Free extra exercises

  These are included in the course download – two extracts from a new novel for you to practise on. Try these two first before starting on the main set of proofs, where you need to find at least 250 errors!