Learn Freelancing

If you like the idea of working from home as a freelance proofreader, Learn Freelancing can show you how.

All the essential information is right here. 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 £20 an hour, and more for 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! If you download the course, you will qualify for a free copy of Learn Freelancing's proofreading book – that’s 262 pages crammed with essential information and tips. 

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

Good things do come in small packages!

From Mark Treacher (Gloucestershire, England), 2008 July 28

I 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.

Explore the links below to learn more.

• 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!