A completely non-authoritative and non-exhaustive list of my favorite resources for freelance/independent editors and proofreaders.
If you’re interested in learning more about the editing and proofreading profession, here are some great resources. This list is completely subjective, from a non-fiction editor’s perspective, and non-authoritative. (Updated 4 March 2026: Bluesky section.)
Web resources on be(com)ing an editor or proofreader
… And some individual articles …
- Business of Editing: What to Charge (An American Editor): A series of articles by Rich Adin on how to set our rates. We need to know our effective hourly rate and use that to determine what to charge.
- Create Systems to Build a Sustainable Freelance Business: Systems let you better run your business. They free up your mind and time from repetitive processes and help you be consistent. Systems don’t have to be big and complicated.
- Six Practices to Overcome Fear and Put Yourself Out There: Amel Derragui shares six ways we can get over our fear of “selling” ourselves. We have to be visible so the people who need us can find us.
- 15 Ways to Be a Better Editorial Freelancer: Pearls of wisdom from Hazel Bird (I said I was a fan), who has been an editorial freelancer for 15+ years.
Podcasts
I don’t listen to too many podcasts, but here are individual episodes that were so helpful that I had to go back and take notes!
- Becoming Comfortable and Knowledgeable with Contracts and Other Legalese, with Lawyer Brionna Ned (Deliberate Freelancer, hosted by Melanie Padgett Powers): Brionna Ned explains what freelancers need to look out for in contracts, including indemnification clauses and non-compete clauses.
Social media
(Tap/click on each heading to see details.)
Try out some of these groups:
- Editor’s Backroom: Affiliated with the huge (but public) Editor’s Association of Earth.
- Scholarly and academic editors
- Editpreneurs: A somewhat smaller (and gentler) group created by editor Jessica Brown.
Bluesky
Check out the starter packs by Tanya Gold: “Edibuddies” Starter Pack 1 and Starter Pack 2 to connect with other editors and proofreaders.
Follow my “Editors are editing” lightly moderated feed. It will pick up posts tagged #AmEditing, #Edibuddies, #AmCopyEditing, #AmProofreading, #EditorSky by non-author accounts.
(Make sure to use hashtags on Bluesky and follow feeds!)
ACES hosts monthly #ACESChat discussions.
A lot of editors and proofreaders are also on LinkedIn, myself included. Do find us!
Professional associations
Professional associations are fantastic sources of support and learning. Membership can also signal to potential clients that you are a serious and qualified professional. Many offer a directory service.
Which one you join may depend on where your clients are based, what offerings you seek, and your budget. If you hope to join live events, consider time zones. Also, many of these have partnership agreements where members of one organization get access to another’s resources at a discount.
Some major English-language professional associations for editors and proofreaders:
- ACES: The Society for Editing: US-based. Members get free access to their library of webinars. Holds 2 conferences annually, one in person and another virtual (VCON). Also hosts #ACESChat on Bluesky.
- Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP): UK-based. Has online local “clubs” for editors in other regions to meet up virtually. Annual hybrid conference, webinars, courses. No accreditation but has assessed tiers (entry, intermediate, professional, advanced professional).
- Editorial Freelancers Association: US-based. Online training courses.
- Editors/Réviseurs Canada: Offers professional certification. Training courses and webinars.
- Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd): For Australian and New Zealand editors. Offers accreditation. Hosts conference and other professional development events.
- Professional Editors Guild: For language practitioners who operate in the South Africa. Offers accreditation. Hosts events and webinars.
I’m a member of the CIEP (yes, there are non-British-English editors too), which I chose for the tiered membership, good training (UK time zone works ok in the Asia-Pacific), and online club. I also later joined ACES for its great webinars (free for members!).
Any other recommendations? Please share in the comments.
Other posts from me for fellow editors/proofreaders
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