Professional Proofreading

You A Professional Proofreader And Editor...?

You don't have to be Brain of Britain (I'm certainly not!) to be a freelance proofreader and editor. Essentially, all you need are three things:

• An eye for detail
• An interest in working with words
• The willingness to learn the skills required

An eye for detail is especially important in proofreading, where you have to scan through pages of text, line by line, word by word, looking for spelling mistakes, typos, faulty punctuation, factual mistakes, and so on. You need to have good concentration, and be conscientious and thorough.

An interest in working with words is crucial for a copy editor, as his/her work involves not only checking for errors, but rearranging copy (words) to ensure that it reads well, fits the publisher's house style, and (of course!) makes sense. Copy editing is more demanding than proofreading, but usually better paid.

This comprehensive course covers both skills, as one leads naturally on to the other. However, if by the end you feel that you would prefer to leave copy editing to others, you can still make a very good living (or sideline income) as a professional proofreader.

What You'll Learn From This Course...

Assuming no special knowledge, the Professional Proofreading & Editing Course gives practical, easy-to-understand advice and information on all the following topics:

• What proofreaders and copy editors do.
• Terms and proofreading marks/symbols in current use.
• Principles of correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Guidance on headings, manuscript layout, etc.
• How to convert UK English to American and vice versa (a skill much in demand!)
• The Internet - why limit yourself to the UK, when the whole wide world needs your services?
• How to set up as a freelance (tax, National Insurance, stationery, etc.)
• How to invoice and collect the money due to you.
• How to organise yourself in a business-like manner.
• How to present yourself to publishers and other potential clients.
• Successful time management tips and techniques.
• How to successfully market your services (including a sample letter of application for you to use instantly!).
• The wide range of potential clients apart from publishers.
• Clients' needs and why you need to understand them.
• How to apply for advertised jobs.
• How to advertise your own services.
• The secret of scanning the papers for `hidden' vacancies.
• How to overcome the `lack of experience' problem. You'll learn the four tactics to help you overcome this situation for good.
• Why you should be persistent with publishers.
• Help from new technology - what can a computer do for YOU?
• Advice on buying your own computer.
• The advantages of having an internet connection - the three most relevant internet services for proofreaders and editors.
• The best 15 internet newsgroups for finding online work.
• How to find work on the web - eight useful websites listed.
• How to get freelance work with electronic publishing companies.
• How to go on polishing and developing your skills.
• 20 leading electronic publishers who may need your services.
• A wide range of other profitable sidelines. Opportunities in related areas such as indexing, self-publishing,
  research, article and short-story writing, writing a book, rewriting, translation, and so on - all explained in detail
  and much, much more!

Professional Proofreading & Editing

The complete home study course!

Each lesson includes a practical exercise for you to complete, to test and develop your skills. To save frustrating delays, 'model' answers are also included - so as soon as you have completed an exercise, you can check your own answer against the suggested one to see how you got on. However, if you need any assistance our course tutors are on hand to help you. Whether you're confused about en and em rules, unsure about the correct position of an apostrophe, or simply want practical advice in marketing your services, just phone, fax or email us, and will be more than happy to help you solve whatever it is.

LESSON 1: Introduction.
What proofreaders and copy editors do. How the book publishing process works, and the role played by freelance proofreaders and editors. What the work entails and the skills required.

LESSON 2: Proofreading Symbols & Skills.
A concise and thorough guide to the standard marks and symbols. You will discover how to use the marks yourself, and how to approach the task of proofreading.

LESSON 3: An Introduction to Copy Editing.
The ways in which copy editing differs from proofreading. Techniques used by copy editors, and typical tasks they may be asked to perform.

LESSON 4: Grammar & Spelling.
This module explains what grammar is, and why a good knowledge is so important for proofreaders/editors. We discuss words, sentences and paragraphs - the building blocks of language - and reveal some typical errors which proofreaders and editors need to watch for. We also discuss spelling and set out some rules and guidelines.

LESSON 5: Punctuation and Capitalisation.
In this module we look at the main punctuation marks and their functions. Common problem areas (e.g. punctuation of dialogue) are examined in detail. The module also sets out the rules and principles of capitalisation, another common source of confusion.

LESSON 6: Setting Up in Business. How to set up as a freelance.
Areas covered include: forms of business organisation, your business stationery and `image', tax, National Insurance and VAT, financial planning, setting fees and invoicing, and sources of business advice and help.

LESSON 7: How to Sell Your Services.
In this key module (length over 8,000 words) we reveal all the secrets of getting work as a freelance proofreader and editor. A list of publishers regularly using freelances is provided, and we also reveal a wide range of other organisations who may be willing to pay for your services. A model letter of application (used successfully by hundreds of students!) is included for you to adapt in your own applications. By this stage you should have all the skills and knowledge you need to start earning money as a freelance.

LESSON 8: Help From New Technology.
In this module we look at how computers can help you with your work, and offer some tips if you are thinking of buying one. We also examine the Internet - an invaluable source of information and advice, and a means of finding work. Finally, we look at converting UK to US English and vice versa, with a checklist of main differences.

LESSON 9: Electronic Publishing.
In this module we look at the implications for proofreaders and editors of the increasing computerisation of publishing houses. We also look at the trend towards publishing electronically (e.g. CD-ROMS), and explain the new opportunities this is creating for freelances.

LESSON 10: Other Avenues.
In this module we survey a variety of interesting and potentially lucrative sidelines that proofreaders and editors may wish to explore, including writing (fillers, articles, short stories and books), indexing, research, rewriting, translation, photography, design and illustration.

LESSON 11: Conclusion & Final Assessment.
In this module we set out some final thoughts on proofreading and copy editing, together with advice on polishing and developing your skills. There are also our Ten Top Tips for getting even more, better paid work. The course concludes with a final assignment to be marked by an external examiner. Satisfactory completion of the assignment will result in the award of the Maple Diploma in Professional Proofreading & Editing. Students achieving this award will be entitled to use the designatory letters DipPRE after their name.

What your course includes...

1) The complete set of eleven study modules - over 85,000 words in total!

2) A hard-wearing, elegant A4 course binder to house your study modules.

3) NEW! Three practical assignments to be marked by your personal tutor. The course is also crammed with self-assessment exercises for you to complete at your own pace, with model answers provided.

4) PLUS a fourth and final assessment to be marked by an external examiner. Successful completion of this will result in the award of the Maple Academy Diploma in Professional Proofreading & Editing.

5) Free e-mail/phone advisory service for twelve months.

6) ISIC International Student Discount Card. As a Maple student you can apply for ISIC card. This offers over 23,000 discounts - including 800 in the UK - the ISIC is a guaranteed to save you money.

7) Three FREE Books, value £49.85: Book #1. Profit from Writing Short Paragraphs! Book #2. How to Succeed As A Freelance Writer! Book#3. A Directory of Over 200 of the UK's Leading Publishing Houses!

8) NEW! Our FREE market update service `Readers Wanted', sent to you by e-mail monthly for twelve months.

9) NEW! THE PROOFREADERS' TIPS & RESOURCES HANDBOOK - This free book is crammed with in-depth information on grammar. punctuation, useful Web sites, and more - as originally published in Readers Wanted.