Published freelancing article by Charlie Wilson, The Book Specialist: proofreading, copy-editing, ghostwriting.
I’m commonly asked to explain how publishers define the roles of a book copy editor and a book proofreader. The difference between copy-editing and proofreading in the eyes of a publisher is this: a book proofreader ensures accuracy and style consistency; a book copy editor goes one step further and also improves the text. Clear as mud? Read on.
Book proofreader
Proofreading is the last stage in a book’s editorial process – the final check-through before it’s handed over to the typesetter/printer. To ensure effective proofreading, the book should be in pretty good shape when it arrives on the book proofreader’s desk, having been professionally copy-edited beforehand. Thus the book proofreader focuses on spotting those odd mistakes that have slipped through the net, rather than being inundated with a sea of errors that overloads the eyes, making it much harder to spot each and every problem.
Book proofreaders look at two areas as they read: accuracy and consistency. Firstly, a book proofreader corrects errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar: catching all the misspellings, spotting that misplaced apostrophe and sorting dodgy verb agreements. A book proofreader also checks things like page numbers, headings, formatting and references, and may be asked to verify facts and indexes as well.
Secondly, book proofreaders are sticklers for consistency. A book proofreader brings the text neatly into line, ensuring a consistent style is applied in areas such as capitalisation, italicisation, hyphenation, punctuation, spelling styles and formatting. Elements such as numbers, abbreviations, titles, bulleted and numbered lists, and tables and figures must adhere to one global style, usually laid down by the publisher.
Book copy editor
A book copy editor improves text, as well as looking at accuracy and consistency in the same way as a book proofreader. There are varying levels and styles of copy-editing, and a book copy editor must be flexible and edit according to the publisher’s preferences. Work on the text may be light or intensive, restrained or hands-on. When I copy-edit, a publisher may give me free rein to roll my sleeves up and undertake major restructuring and rewriting, or I may correct only the most awkward phrasing and diplomatically suggest larger improvements in separate comments.
So what exactly does a book copy editor focus on? Well, publishers use the term 'copy editor' to cover varying styles and levels of edit, but the job typically includes looking at the overall consistency and effectiveness of the plot, characterisation and structure; considering the author’s voice and its interpretation by the reader; watching out for anything that may be offensive, inaccurate or on a shaky legal footing; and, of course, addressing any weak areas of writing. A book copy editor may also be expected to take on jobs like laying out material; liaising with designers and typesetters; choosing artwork and arranging permissions; and managing budgets – it all depends on how the publisher defines the scope of the role. (You'll notice that on my website I split what many publishers call copy-editing into two services: copy-editing and development editing.)
Different publishers expect different things from their freelance book copy editors, and an editor must carefully follow the publisher’s instructions. This means that if the publisher commissions me as a book copy editor to do a light edit only, that’s exactly what I do – even if I’m itching to rework sections that I can see could be improved. Copy-editing with restraint is hard work at times, but just as the customer is always right in business, so the publisher is king in the world of editorial freelancing.
Keeping to editorial guidelines, however, doesn’t preclude intelligent copy-editing, by which I mean discussing with the publisher any major issues you can see that fall outside the remit of your edit. Most publishers appreciate perceptive book copy editors who flag up important issues. Laying out exactly when and how a book copy editor should do this is impossible: intelligent copy-editing is about intuitively adapting to each publisher’s style and knowing where the boundaries lie. It’s about effective communication and, above all, a careful and sensitive approach.
Book proofreading and copy-editing sound like cushy numbers – reading books for a living. But the reality for a freelance book proofreader and book copy editor is not all that easy – knowing the English language inside out; reading material several times over at an eye-wateringly slow pace; being permanently unable to turn off ‘editor mode’ when you want to read for yourself, for pleasure; and understanding when to change something, and when to steer well clear.
Both book copy editors and book proofreaders are writers at heart – they have to know how to write and what constitutes good writing in order to spot mistakes and improve others’ words. But this improvement must be made with sensitivity and respect for the author’s voice, and this is the true challenge for a book proofreader and book copy editor. Both book proofreaders and book copy editors must be chameleons – matching their style to the author’s as they work and always taking care not to tread on the author’s toes and impose their personal preferences and style on the text. We must know when to step back, when to respect the creativity of the writer, when to simply let go.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Life as a Freelancer
Published freelancing article by Charlie Wilson, The Book Specialist: proofreading, copy-editing, ghostwriting.
When I decided to go freelance, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I’d read the books, chatted to existing freelancers and given the matter some serious glass-or-three-of-Pinot-Grigio-induced thought. But freelancing came with some surprises I hadn’t anticipated. Here, in no particular order, are the top nine things I never knew I really needed to know about being a freelancer (the original top ten list fell victim to number 8’s red-pen-wielding editor):
1. Frugality is the new frivolity. As a freelancer you have to put your sensible cap on in financial matters. Some months your income may be low, thanks to ongoing long-term projects and late-paying clients; other months your eyeballs boast cartoon-style pound signs. To ensure that you can weather the slow months (and have enough money put aside for that lovely chap, the tax man), you have to resist the temptation to get carried away in House of Fraser on buoyant months.
2. Email is essential. I’ve only ever had two clients who chose to work via snail mail on writing, copy-editing and proofreading projects. New business enquires, quotations, project communications and even invoicing for some clients can take place wholly on email. That’s why you need a reliable internet service provider and web hosting company, a decent bandwidth and a mean typing speed.
3. Two little words can avert disaster. The day my computer gave a sudden shuddering gasp and expired halfway through a copy-editing job I was less than amused. Thankfully, the day before I had safely backed up every last file and email, so my PC’s untimely end did not damage my business. A laptop, external hard-drive, USB pens and myriad CDs safeguard my data, and I have to religiously back up, back up, back up (then back up some more). It’s intensely tiresome, but boy is it worth it when the IT Grim Reaper comes knocking.
4. Civility is not a prerequisite for business, it seems. Happily, the vast majority of people who approach me to discuss working together are pleasant, polite and professional. However, a choice few have been obnoxious, overbearing, rude and seemingly clueless on how business relationships are conducted. The first couple rather floored me, but these days I have no qualms over politely refusing to work with such people. Yes, being a freelancer requires a thick skin.
5. Freelancing is a fancy word for juggling. I freelance for many different clients, which means at any one time I can have up to 12 writing, copy-editing and proofreading projects on the go. So I spend my days balancing different projects, briefs and deadlines. But the trickiest juggle of all is switching between editorial styles. I may start the day with realize and end it with realise; start with co-operation and end with cooperation.
6. The freedom and flexibility is a little less free and flexible than anticipated. For example, although I can mark up proofs sitting in front of the TV, I don’t – Bones is totally distracting and I invariably get red biro on the armchair. And although I’m free to come and go as I please, I generally need to be at my desk during working hours.
7. You have to get good at estimating project lengths. When a client asks you to provide a quote for a writing, copy-editing or proofreading project, you need to make sure the quote you give accurately reflects the hours it will take. If you misjudge how long work will take, you can end up hugely and depressingly out of pocket. This comes with experience, but the easiest way to get good at estimating is to laboriously time yourself on each project, keep a spreadsheet and do some fancy maths to work out your average writing, copy-editing and proofreading speeds per word and per hour.
8. Turning off your inner editor is nigh on impossible. After a long day proofreading, copy-editing and writing, sadly the last thing I do to unwind nowadays is to read or write for pleasure, for myself. I have explored at length but not yet discovered the on/off switch for my inner editor. The result? When I curl up on the sofa with a book, I edit; when I sit down and write a children’s story, I edit; and on a particularly busy week, I edit text each night in my dreams.
9. Cups of tea do not belong within a two metre radius of a) the computer, b) the work mobile phone or c) publishers’ proofs. Enough said.
When I decided to go freelance, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I’d read the books, chatted to existing freelancers and given the matter some serious glass-or-three-of-Pinot-Grigio-induced thought. But freelancing came with some surprises I hadn’t anticipated. Here, in no particular order, are the top nine things I never knew I really needed to know about being a freelancer (the original top ten list fell victim to number 8’s red-pen-wielding editor):
1. Frugality is the new frivolity. As a freelancer you have to put your sensible cap on in financial matters. Some months your income may be low, thanks to ongoing long-term projects and late-paying clients; other months your eyeballs boast cartoon-style pound signs. To ensure that you can weather the slow months (and have enough money put aside for that lovely chap, the tax man), you have to resist the temptation to get carried away in House of Fraser on buoyant months.
2. Email is essential. I’ve only ever had two clients who chose to work via snail mail on writing, copy-editing and proofreading projects. New business enquires, quotations, project communications and even invoicing for some clients can take place wholly on email. That’s why you need a reliable internet service provider and web hosting company, a decent bandwidth and a mean typing speed.
3. Two little words can avert disaster. The day my computer gave a sudden shuddering gasp and expired halfway through a copy-editing job I was less than amused. Thankfully, the day before I had safely backed up every last file and email, so my PC’s untimely end did not damage my business. A laptop, external hard-drive, USB pens and myriad CDs safeguard my data, and I have to religiously back up, back up, back up (then back up some more). It’s intensely tiresome, but boy is it worth it when the IT Grim Reaper comes knocking.
4. Civility is not a prerequisite for business, it seems. Happily, the vast majority of people who approach me to discuss working together are pleasant, polite and professional. However, a choice few have been obnoxious, overbearing, rude and seemingly clueless on how business relationships are conducted. The first couple rather floored me, but these days I have no qualms over politely refusing to work with such people. Yes, being a freelancer requires a thick skin.
5. Freelancing is a fancy word for juggling. I freelance for many different clients, which means at any one time I can have up to 12 writing, copy-editing and proofreading projects on the go. So I spend my days balancing different projects, briefs and deadlines. But the trickiest juggle of all is switching between editorial styles. I may start the day with realize and end it with realise; start with co-operation and end with cooperation.
6. The freedom and flexibility is a little less free and flexible than anticipated. For example, although I can mark up proofs sitting in front of the TV, I don’t – Bones is totally distracting and I invariably get red biro on the armchair. And although I’m free to come and go as I please, I generally need to be at my desk during working hours.
7. You have to get good at estimating project lengths. When a client asks you to provide a quote for a writing, copy-editing or proofreading project, you need to make sure the quote you give accurately reflects the hours it will take. If you misjudge how long work will take, you can end up hugely and depressingly out of pocket. This comes with experience, but the easiest way to get good at estimating is to laboriously time yourself on each project, keep a spreadsheet and do some fancy maths to work out your average writing, copy-editing and proofreading speeds per word and per hour.
8. Turning off your inner editor is nigh on impossible. After a long day proofreading, copy-editing and writing, sadly the last thing I do to unwind nowadays is to read or write for pleasure, for myself. I have explored at length but not yet discovered the on/off switch for my inner editor. The result? When I curl up on the sofa with a book, I edit; when I sit down and write a children’s story, I edit; and on a particularly busy week, I edit text each night in my dreams.
9. Cups of tea do not belong within a two metre radius of a) the computer, b) the work mobile phone or c) publishers’ proofs. Enough said.
SEO Tips for Freelancers
Published freelancing article by Charlie Wilson, The Book Specialist: proofreading, copy-editing, ghostwriting.
Every successful freelance proofreader or copy editor needs a website: it's the most crucial marketing activity. Your website needs to be informative, clear and engaging. But even the most beautifully worded and designed site isn't going to help much unless someone typing 'proofreader' or ' copy editor' into a search engine will find your site listed.
Here are my top five tips for search engine optimising a freelance proofreader or copy editor site.
1. Use keywords in your metatags.
Keywords are the terms you think someone will type into a search engine and for which you want to appear right up there in the search results. Metatags are an opportunity to use keywords on the site. These are the tags in the code behind your site that tell search engines what a page is called and what it's about. You need to look at these tags: title, description and keywords.
So, for a freelance proofreader your title tag may be something like Proofreader offering proofreading services. Your description may be Freelance proofreader outlines her proofreading services. And your keywords will include proofreader, proofreading and proofreading services, as well as any other keywords you use in the text on that page. Similarly, a page on freelance copyediting services may have Copy editor offering copyediting services as the title; Freelance copy editor outlines her copyediting services as the description; and keywords include copy editor, copyediting and copyediting services.
A good idea is to brainstorm all the keywords you want to rank for, and then find a way to work them into the text on your site, and the keywords metatag. For example, across my site I use the following keywords: book specialist, book writer, book editor, book proofreader, writer, editor, proofreader, Charlie Wilson, professional book writer, book developer, copy-edit books, proofread books, book copy editor, copy editor, book editor, book author, book ghostwriter, ghostwriter, copyeditor, copy-editor, proof reader, proof-reader, book proof reader, book proof-reader, book copy editing, copy editing, book proofreading, proofreading, ghostwriting, book ghostwriting, book developing, copyediting, copy-editing, proof reading, proof-reading, book proof reading, book proof-reading, ghost writer, ghost writing, proofreading service, proof-reading service, proof reading service, copy-editing service, copyediting service, copy editing service, copy-edit, proofread, book editing, copy-edit, proofread, freelance, freelancing, freelancer, freelancers, London, Kent, UK, Perfectly Write.
2. Use keywords in your headings and navigation items.
Wherever on the page you use headings and internal links, try to use keyword-rich text. So the overall heading for your web page may be Proofreading and Copyediting Services, then you may have subheadings like Proofreader, Proofreader's Policy, Copy Editor, Copy Editor's Technique, Proofreading Help and Copyediting Support. Then you may have links on the navigation or elsewhere on the page like Proofreading Resources or Copyediting Clients.
3. Blend keywords into the text on your page.
Try to incorporate your keywords within the text on your page, but without compromising the quality of your writing. For example, this is a sensible approach to working in keywords: Welcome to the Proofreading Place, the home of professional proofreading services. A fully qualified proofreader, I offer an extensive range of services to suit your needs. This, on the other hand, is far too obvious: Welcome to the Copyediting Corner, the home of professional copyediting services. As a copy editor I offer a range of copyediting services including copyediting books, copyediting reports, copyediting theses and copyediting other documents that a copy editor can help to improve.
4. Keep adding new, keyword-rich content to your site.
Once you've written your site and are satisfied with its SEO, don't think you can plonk it online and it will continue to bring in new visitors (and new work). You need to keep working on the site, and add in new content that reinforces your keywords.
5. Build links with other sites.
This can work especially well if you exchange links with other sites that cover a similar subject to yours. For example, if your site is about freelance proofreading, look for other freelance proofreaders who may want to exchange links. And if you're a freelance copy editor, look out for others in the copyediting field.
Every successful freelance proofreader or copy editor needs a website: it's the most crucial marketing activity. Your website needs to be informative, clear and engaging. But even the most beautifully worded and designed site isn't going to help much unless someone typing 'proofreader' or ' copy editor' into a search engine will find your site listed.
Here are my top five tips for search engine optimising a freelance proofreader or copy editor site.
1. Use keywords in your metatags.
Keywords are the terms you think someone will type into a search engine and for which you want to appear right up there in the search results. Metatags are an opportunity to use keywords on the site. These are the tags in the code behind your site that tell search engines what a page is called and what it's about. You need to look at these tags: title, description and keywords.
So, for a freelance proofreader your title tag may be something like Proofreader offering proofreading services. Your description may be Freelance proofreader outlines her proofreading services. And your keywords will include proofreader, proofreading and proofreading services, as well as any other keywords you use in the text on that page. Similarly, a page on freelance copyediting services may have Copy editor offering copyediting services as the title; Freelance copy editor outlines her copyediting services as the description; and keywords include copy editor, copyediting and copyediting services.
A good idea is to brainstorm all the keywords you want to rank for, and then find a way to work them into the text on your site, and the keywords metatag. For example, across my site I use the following keywords: book specialist, book writer, book editor, book proofreader, writer, editor, proofreader, Charlie Wilson, professional book writer, book developer, copy-edit books, proofread books, book copy editor, copy editor, book editor, book author, book ghostwriter, ghostwriter, copyeditor, copy-editor, proof reader, proof-reader, book proof reader, book proof-reader, book copy editing, copy editing, book proofreading, proofreading, ghostwriting, book ghostwriting, book developing, copyediting, copy-editing, proof reading, proof-reading, book proof reading, book proof-reading, ghost writer, ghost writing, proofreading service, proof-reading service, proof reading service, copy-editing service, copyediting service, copy editing service, copy-edit, proofread, book editing, copy-edit, proofread, freelance, freelancing, freelancer, freelancers, London, Kent, UK, Perfectly Write.
2. Use keywords in your headings and navigation items.
Wherever on the page you use headings and internal links, try to use keyword-rich text. So the overall heading for your web page may be Proofreading and Copyediting Services, then you may have subheadings like Proofreader, Proofreader's Policy, Copy Editor, Copy Editor's Technique, Proofreading Help and Copyediting Support. Then you may have links on the navigation or elsewhere on the page like Proofreading Resources or Copyediting Clients.
3. Blend keywords into the text on your page.
Try to incorporate your keywords within the text on your page, but without compromising the quality of your writing. For example, this is a sensible approach to working in keywords: Welcome to the Proofreading Place, the home of professional proofreading services. A fully qualified proofreader, I offer an extensive range of services to suit your needs. This, on the other hand, is far too obvious: Welcome to the Copyediting Corner, the home of professional copyediting services. As a copy editor I offer a range of copyediting services including copyediting books, copyediting reports, copyediting theses and copyediting other documents that a copy editor can help to improve.
4. Keep adding new, keyword-rich content to your site.
Once you've written your site and are satisfied with its SEO, don't think you can plonk it online and it will continue to bring in new visitors (and new work). You need to keep working on the site, and add in new content that reinforces your keywords.
5. Build links with other sites.
This can work especially well if you exchange links with other sites that cover a similar subject to yours. For example, if your site is about freelance proofreading, look for other freelance proofreaders who may want to exchange links. And if you're a freelance copy editor, look out for others in the copyediting field.
Freelance Terms and Conditions of Work
Published freelancing article by Charlie Wilson, The Book Specialist: proofreading, copy-editing, ghostwriting.
Terms and conditions of work are a fundamental necessity for freelancing. With T&Cs, freelancers can work speedily, securely and successfully. Without T&Cs, freelancers can expect tears, teeth-gnashing and a depleted turnover.
If you’re freelancing, or considering freelancing, I encourage you to lay down some terms. T&Cs ensure that clients understand the basics of your working relationship, and they protect you in the event that the client doesn’t comply with the terms. T&Cs are fundamental to good business, and reassure clients that you’re a professional.
When I commence work with a client, I require the client to accept both the specific project terms and my general T&Cs:
T&Cs really are essential to safeguard your business from unfair treatment by clients. It’s simply not wise (or safe) to assume your client will work in a fair, businesslike manner that’s in keeping with your own preferences for working relationships. For example, years ago an English teacher hired me to proofread her book (which incidentally was riddled with errors). This I did, but upon returning the meticulously proofread text, the client told me she wasn’t happy with my service. She told me I hadn’t done any rewriting to ‘improve the flow’ of her book, and therefore she would only pay me 50 per cent of the agreed fee. Calmly, I directed her attention to the form she had signed to confirm her acceptance of my T&Cs and the project terms. The project terms clearly indicated what my proofreading service entails (nothing to do with rewriting or flow), and my T&Cs clearly state that the client has no right to reduce or refuse payment. Albeit with bad grace, she was forced to pay the full outstanding fee. Needless to say, I’ve never worked with her again!
But T&Cs don’t just exist to protect you from the rotten clients. They’re also essential for forming good, clear working relationships with any client. The client likes to know exactly where they are, and what to expect. Indeed, the client may even have their own T&Cs for you to sign, ensuring a framework for your business relationship. T&Cs are all part of open, honest, upfront and assertive communication – an essential ingredient for successful and happy freelancing.
Terms and conditions of work are a fundamental necessity for freelancing. With T&Cs, freelancers can work speedily, securely and successfully. Without T&Cs, freelancers can expect tears, teeth-gnashing and a depleted turnover.
- Project terms: These detail the specifics of the project. They lay out the exact service I will perform, the cost, the deadline and the payment terms.
- T&Cs: My T&Cs cover a range of general business terms.
- Costs: Are costs such as telephone calls, printing, paper, CDs and postage included in your project fee, or will you invoice these (at cost)? Does your client have the right to reduce the cost of your project fee for any reason? What happens if the client changes the brief mid-project, fails to meet deadlines or terminates the project prematurely? Do you charge extra for out-of-hours or in-house work?
- Deadlines: In what circumstances will you have the right to alter an agreed deadline?
- Invoicing and payment terms: How and when will you invoice? How many days does the client have to pay (this is usually 30 days)? Will you require payment in instalments or upfront? What action will you take if the client pays late or does not pay at all?
- Meetings and consultations: Will you charge for meeting and consultation time, travel expenses, and/or travel time to attend a meeting? If so, how much?
- Service definitions: What exactly will you do for the client? What won’t you do? What does your proofreading/copy-editing service involve?
What Do You Need to Succeed in Freelancing?
Published freelancing article by Charlie Wilson, The Book Specialist: proofreading, copy-editing, ghostwriting.
Freelancing suits a very particular type of person. So before taking the plunge as a freelance book proofreader, book copy editor or book writer, you need to consider whether this style of work will suit you. Here's a brief snapshot of what a successful freelancer book copy editor, book writer or book proofreader is like.
Skills: You must be a writer at heart to be a book proofreader, book copy editor or book writer, and you need to be very well read. Excellent grammar should be instinctive for you, and you need to be one of those people who spots inaccuracies in written material and just itches to correct them. You need to be IT literate and highly competent in Word and researching on the internet.
Experience: This is a tricky one. Ideally, you've worked for at least one publisher or company (and hopefully more) in an editorial capacity – as a book proofreader, book copy editor or book writer. If you need to expand your experience, be prepared to do voluntary or low-paid projects so you can build your client base and portfolio. You may have undertaken a proofreading, copy-editing or writing course. If you have, great; if not, don't worry: actual experience counts for more than qualifications in this business.
Attributes: You need to be one hell of a grafter to succeed at freelancing. You'll work incredibly hard to build and sustain your business, putting in a lot of time and energy. You have to be tenacious and keep working towards your targets, picking yourself up and carrying on when misfortune knocks. You need to be self-motivated, organised, meticulous and something of a perfectionist in your approach. You must have a logical, business-oriented mind but also the ability to think creatively and innovatively. You need to get on well with people so that you keep your clients happy. Finally, you need to like your own company and be perfectly happy working alone.
Attitude: You need to exude passion for books, writing, publishing and freelancing. That passion will inspire your work and sustain you through the highs and lows of freelancing – particularly the difficult days of setting up in business and the inevitable dry spells when work is elusive. Positivity will be your middle name: you need to set your sights high and keep pushing forwards regardless of setbacks.
Freelancing suits a very particular type of person. So before taking the plunge as a freelance book proofreader, book copy editor or book writer, you need to consider whether this style of work will suit you. Here's a brief snapshot of what a successful freelancer book copy editor, book writer or book proofreader is like.
Skills: You must be a writer at heart to be a book proofreader, book copy editor or book writer, and you need to be very well read. Excellent grammar should be instinctive for you, and you need to be one of those people who spots inaccuracies in written material and just itches to correct them. You need to be IT literate and highly competent in Word and researching on the internet.
Experience: This is a tricky one. Ideally, you've worked for at least one publisher or company (and hopefully more) in an editorial capacity – as a book proofreader, book copy editor or book writer. If you need to expand your experience, be prepared to do voluntary or low-paid projects so you can build your client base and portfolio. You may have undertaken a proofreading, copy-editing or writing course. If you have, great; if not, don't worry: actual experience counts for more than qualifications in this business.
Attributes: You need to be one hell of a grafter to succeed at freelancing. You'll work incredibly hard to build and sustain your business, putting in a lot of time and energy. You have to be tenacious and keep working towards your targets, picking yourself up and carrying on when misfortune knocks. You need to be self-motivated, organised, meticulous and something of a perfectionist in your approach. You must have a logical, business-oriented mind but also the ability to think creatively and innovatively. You need to get on well with people so that you keep your clients happy. Finally, you need to like your own company and be perfectly happy working alone.
Attitude: You need to exude passion for books, writing, publishing and freelancing. That passion will inspire your work and sustain you through the highs and lows of freelancing – particularly the difficult days of setting up in business and the inevitable dry spells when work is elusive. Positivity will be your middle name: you need to set your sights high and keep pushing forwards regardless of setbacks.
Working From Home as a Freelancer
Published freelancing article by Charlie Wilson, The Book Specialist: proofreading, copy-editing, ghostwriting.
If I was going to write a subtitle, it would be ‘Total freedom, and a little boredom’ or perhaps ‘The biscuit jar calls to me’.
It’s the question most people ask me – what’s it like working at home? Actually, they tend to phrase it, ‘Working at home? (envious tone) That must be fabulous!’ Or occasionally I’ll meet someone who’ll say with a shudder, ‘Oh dear, how lonely!’ For me, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
I probably don’t need to tell you the benefits of working from home, but just for fun, I will anyway. Well, the comfort of home is a big plus – my own office space just as I want it; copy-editing in my pyjamas; not even having to venture outside on a cold, wintry day; proofreading in front of daytime ER repeats (be warned, I’ve found this doesn’t make for efficient and accurate work).
Then there’s the freedom – to come and go as I please, to go on holiday or just take an afternoon off, to work the hours that best suit me. I’m home to let the plumber in and keep an eye on what he’s up to, and to sign for whatever it is my eBay-mad partner has bought this week.
Working from home immeasurably increases productivity and efficiency in my work. All the time in the day I used to lose to travelling, pointless staff meetings and office chitchat is now time I can maximise. It takes me less time to complete tasks at home, because I can concentrate without distractions, which means I can do more work overall.
Clearly, home-based proofreading and copy-editing has a lot going for it, but that doesn’t mean it’s always working heaven, and it’s certainly not suited to everyone. Sometimes freelancing from home can be downright boring, lonely and just plain hard.
I’ve always been quite happy in my own company, but occasionally home can feel a bit isolated. The house is quiet and after seven hours straight proofreading you can miss the welcome distraction of colleagues. There’s no one to bounce ideas off, no cheery banter. Put it this way, Perfectly Write’s Christmas do last year involved me, a cracker and a mince pie – lovely, but not quite the social life I used to have in office jobs.
I’ve also found my boss isn’t always the fun-loving, easygoing gal I wish she were. To be successful and make enough money to live, I have to be a tad strict with myself. My working day has to have routine so I can meet my deadlines, and I have to be my own motivator, organiser and appraiser (not to mention accountant, secretary, receptionist, postman and office cleaner).
Some days home can feel suffocating. Polar Bear Syndrome, I call it. You look in the enclosure at the zoo and the bear is doing demented laps, then you look again later after an ice cream and it’s still on the same course. If I’m foolish enough not to make myself get out once a day and breathe some fresh air, I am that bear.
Then there’s the temptation factor. Miss Greedy works dangerously close to the kitchen and its many yummy delights. Miss Snoozy finds it hard to get up when her partner’s alarm goes off, knowing she doesn’t have to. Miss Domesticated can usually find a floor that needs vacuuming, clothes that need washing or an empty biscuit jar that needs filling. I do my best to lock these parts of me away during my working day, but they’re rather determined little misses and some days they run rings around me.
The good news is, there are ways to improve these less-joyful aspects of home-working. I reduce the boredom factor by varying my daily work and making myself take breaks, even when I’m in a good flow. To help with loneliness, I keep in touch with friends during the day on the phone and email, some of whom are also freelancers and happy sounding boards. For an hour or so every day, I bid my strict boss adieu and get out of the house – for a walk in the park, to the gym, or just to the post office – and remind myself there’s a world outside my study.
It’s all about balance, I think, and working at it. No job is without its highs and lows, but the great thing about freelance copy-editing and proofreading is that you have the choice, the control over your job. It’s the daily challenge of creating a happy working life that keeps me enjoying the highs, and weathering the lows.
If I was going to write a subtitle, it would be ‘Total freedom, and a little boredom’ or perhaps ‘The biscuit jar calls to me’.
It’s the question most people ask me – what’s it like working at home? Actually, they tend to phrase it, ‘Working at home? (envious tone) That must be fabulous!’ Or occasionally I’ll meet someone who’ll say with a shudder, ‘Oh dear, how lonely!’ For me, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
I probably don’t need to tell you the benefits of working from home, but just for fun, I will anyway. Well, the comfort of home is a big plus – my own office space just as I want it; copy-editing in my pyjamas; not even having to venture outside on a cold, wintry day; proofreading in front of daytime ER repeats (be warned, I’ve found this doesn’t make for efficient and accurate work).
Then there’s the freedom – to come and go as I please, to go on holiday or just take an afternoon off, to work the hours that best suit me. I’m home to let the plumber in and keep an eye on what he’s up to, and to sign for whatever it is my eBay-mad partner has bought this week.
Working from home immeasurably increases productivity and efficiency in my work. All the time in the day I used to lose to travelling, pointless staff meetings and office chitchat is now time I can maximise. It takes me less time to complete tasks at home, because I can concentrate without distractions, which means I can do more work overall.
Clearly, home-based proofreading and copy-editing has a lot going for it, but that doesn’t mean it’s always working heaven, and it’s certainly not suited to everyone. Sometimes freelancing from home can be downright boring, lonely and just plain hard.
I’ve always been quite happy in my own company, but occasionally home can feel a bit isolated. The house is quiet and after seven hours straight proofreading you can miss the welcome distraction of colleagues. There’s no one to bounce ideas off, no cheery banter. Put it this way, Perfectly Write’s Christmas do last year involved me, a cracker and a mince pie – lovely, but not quite the social life I used to have in office jobs.
I’ve also found my boss isn’t always the fun-loving, easygoing gal I wish she were. To be successful and make enough money to live, I have to be a tad strict with myself. My working day has to have routine so I can meet my deadlines, and I have to be my own motivator, organiser and appraiser (not to mention accountant, secretary, receptionist, postman and office cleaner).
Some days home can feel suffocating. Polar Bear Syndrome, I call it. You look in the enclosure at the zoo and the bear is doing demented laps, then you look again later after an ice cream and it’s still on the same course. If I’m foolish enough not to make myself get out once a day and breathe some fresh air, I am that bear.
Then there’s the temptation factor. Miss Greedy works dangerously close to the kitchen and its many yummy delights. Miss Snoozy finds it hard to get up when her partner’s alarm goes off, knowing she doesn’t have to. Miss Domesticated can usually find a floor that needs vacuuming, clothes that need washing or an empty biscuit jar that needs filling. I do my best to lock these parts of me away during my working day, but they’re rather determined little misses and some days they run rings around me.
The good news is, there are ways to improve these less-joyful aspects of home-working. I reduce the boredom factor by varying my daily work and making myself take breaks, even when I’m in a good flow. To help with loneliness, I keep in touch with friends during the day on the phone and email, some of whom are also freelancers and happy sounding boards. For an hour or so every day, I bid my strict boss adieu and get out of the house – for a walk in the park, to the gym, or just to the post office – and remind myself there’s a world outside my study.
It’s all about balance, I think, and working at it. No job is without its highs and lows, but the great thing about freelance copy-editing and proofreading is that you have the choice, the control over your job. It’s the daily challenge of creating a happy working life that keeps me enjoying the highs, and weathering the lows.
Understanding Tax for Freelancers
Published freelancing article by Charlie Wilson, The Book Specialist: proofreading, copy-editing, ghostwriting.
One of the most common questions newbie and aspiring freelancers ask is, How does tax work? The subject has been on my mind this week – not only have I just completed development editing Tax For Dummies, but I’ve been marking the end of my financial year by spending several hours knee-deep in receipts, invoices and spreadsheets.
Benjamin Franklin hit the nail on the head when he said there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. As much as you may detest record-keeping, calculations and handing over a single penny to HMRC, it’s a fact of life for a freelance writer, copy editor and proofreader. Thus, I’ve decided to share some of the useful things I’ve learned along the road from tax dunce to tax doer.
Get organised
I have to confess, I’m a bit of a Monica when it comes to organising my paperwork. On rainy Friday afternoons, when I’m cross-eyed from proofreading or wrestling with writer’s block, you’ll find me indulging in Admin Hour, amid Excel docs, piles of paper and vibrantly coloured stationery.
Creating a logical accounts system (and sticking to it) makes life a lot easier. If your bookkeeping method is of the file-invoices-and-receipts-down-the-back-of-the-sofa variety, beware. You’ll struggle to keep a grip on how much you’re earning and spending, and on who owes you what. Come tax return time you’re likely to go into meltdown, and if you’re unlucky enough to face an HMRC inquiry, the taxman will definitely not have a sense of humour about the chaos that is your accounts. Failure to keep adequate and accurate records leads to fines; it’s that simple.
Don’t get carried away
When you first go freelance, the freedom to offset business expenses against your income (thereby reducing your tax liability) can be giddily intoxicating. It’s easy to get carried away thinking about what you can ram through your books to bring down the tax bill.
The reality, however, is that business expenses aren’t the cushy deal they may appear to be at first glance. HMRC has strict rules governing what expenses you can claim, and to what levels. For example, because I work from home I can claim a proportion of my household bills. The operative word here is proportion – I can claim expenses for a proportion of a room, used a proportion of the time. In reality, this works out to be a teeny, tiny expense, and saves very little in tax. My last electricity bill was £50; I was able to deduct just £1.33. Not exactly a tax saving to get excited about!
Prepare for tax bills
For me, one of the hardest things about being a freelance proofreader, copy editor and writer is getting paid but knowing I mustn’t touch some of the money. Life was far simpler when I received after-tax pay each month! Now, I must have the self-restraint and sense to put aside a wodge of my income ready for the next tax bill.
When I started out, I was woefully naive about such tax planning. For most of my first year in business, I spent what I received from clients. Then, towards the end of the year, it began to dawn on me that I’d been spending money that didn’t belong to me at all. Between 20 to 30 per cent of my earnings belonged to HMRC (and the Student Loans Company had dibs on a further slice).
To top if off, I’d completely misunderstood HMRC’s ‘payment on account’ system. It was a rude shock to discover that my first tax bill would comprise not only the tax I owed for the last financial year, but half as much again as a payment on account for the current financial year. In my ignorance, I spent a good half hour ranting at a poor HMRC call centre operator, convinced that the tax man was robbing me blind.
Since that first year, I’ve ensured I place a proportion of my income into a high-interest savings account, ready for the next tax bill. That way, I don’t wake up in a cold sweat in the run up to a tax bill, because I know the money is ready and waiting. Even better, I make a tidy profit in interest, which I can then use to treat myself.
Don’t think twice about getting advice
No one expects you to grasp the intricacies of the UK tax system easily or overnight. However, getting it right is essential, especially if, like me, you do your own accounts and don’t hire an accountant. So you need to gem up on how self-assessment works, and get help where necessary.
There is a wealth of books and websites on the subject, and organisations such as Business Link can help. HMRC have plenty of helplines and online support, but do beware: first, their ‘help’ materials are often impossible to comprehend (they spectacularly fail to embrace plain English); second, when you ask HMRC for advice, they will always give you an answer that leads to you paying the maximum amount of tax that’s legal. The government lays down tax law, and others interpret it. Therefore, your best port of call if you’re stuck may be an independent tax adviser.
One of the most common questions newbie and aspiring freelancers ask is, How does tax work? The subject has been on my mind this week – not only have I just completed development editing Tax For Dummies, but I’ve been marking the end of my financial year by spending several hours knee-deep in receipts, invoices and spreadsheets.
Benjamin Franklin hit the nail on the head when he said there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. As much as you may detest record-keeping, calculations and handing over a single penny to HMRC, it’s a fact of life for a freelance writer, copy editor and proofreader. Thus, I’ve decided to share some of the useful things I’ve learned along the road from tax dunce to tax doer.
Get organised
I have to confess, I’m a bit of a Monica when it comes to organising my paperwork. On rainy Friday afternoons, when I’m cross-eyed from proofreading or wrestling with writer’s block, you’ll find me indulging in Admin Hour, amid Excel docs, piles of paper and vibrantly coloured stationery.
Creating a logical accounts system (and sticking to it) makes life a lot easier. If your bookkeeping method is of the file-invoices-and-receipts-down-the-back-of-the-sofa variety, beware. You’ll struggle to keep a grip on how much you’re earning and spending, and on who owes you what. Come tax return time you’re likely to go into meltdown, and if you’re unlucky enough to face an HMRC inquiry, the taxman will definitely not have a sense of humour about the chaos that is your accounts. Failure to keep adequate and accurate records leads to fines; it’s that simple.
Don’t get carried away
When you first go freelance, the freedom to offset business expenses against your income (thereby reducing your tax liability) can be giddily intoxicating. It’s easy to get carried away thinking about what you can ram through your books to bring down the tax bill.
The reality, however, is that business expenses aren’t the cushy deal they may appear to be at first glance. HMRC has strict rules governing what expenses you can claim, and to what levels. For example, because I work from home I can claim a proportion of my household bills. The operative word here is proportion – I can claim expenses for a proportion of a room, used a proportion of the time. In reality, this works out to be a teeny, tiny expense, and saves very little in tax. My last electricity bill was £50; I was able to deduct just £1.33. Not exactly a tax saving to get excited about!
Prepare for tax bills
For me, one of the hardest things about being a freelance proofreader, copy editor and writer is getting paid but knowing I mustn’t touch some of the money. Life was far simpler when I received after-tax pay each month! Now, I must have the self-restraint and sense to put aside a wodge of my income ready for the next tax bill.
When I started out, I was woefully naive about such tax planning. For most of my first year in business, I spent what I received from clients. Then, towards the end of the year, it began to dawn on me that I’d been spending money that didn’t belong to me at all. Between 20 to 30 per cent of my earnings belonged to HMRC (and the Student Loans Company had dibs on a further slice).
To top if off, I’d completely misunderstood HMRC’s ‘payment on account’ system. It was a rude shock to discover that my first tax bill would comprise not only the tax I owed for the last financial year, but half as much again as a payment on account for the current financial year. In my ignorance, I spent a good half hour ranting at a poor HMRC call centre operator, convinced that the tax man was robbing me blind.
Since that first year, I’ve ensured I place a proportion of my income into a high-interest savings account, ready for the next tax bill. That way, I don’t wake up in a cold sweat in the run up to a tax bill, because I know the money is ready and waiting. Even better, I make a tidy profit in interest, which I can then use to treat myself.
Don’t think twice about getting advice
No one expects you to grasp the intricacies of the UK tax system easily or overnight. However, getting it right is essential, especially if, like me, you do your own accounts and don’t hire an accountant. So you need to gem up on how self-assessment works, and get help where necessary.
There is a wealth of books and websites on the subject, and organisations such as Business Link can help. HMRC have plenty of helplines and online support, but do beware: first, their ‘help’ materials are often impossible to comprehend (they spectacularly fail to embrace plain English); second, when you ask HMRC for advice, they will always give you an answer that leads to you paying the maximum amount of tax that’s legal. The government lays down tax law, and others interpret it. Therefore, your best port of call if you’re stuck may be an independent tax adviser.
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