@writingruth.bsky.social
Ack - that should be clarify! Even experienced editors/proofreaders make the occasional mistake. :)
June 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Ack - that should be clarify! Even experienced editors/proofreaders make the occasional mistake. :)
Thank you, Sasha, for your help! I'm glad to answer further questions via email (Ruth@writerruth.com) within reason. Best to all, Ruth
June 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Thank you, Sasha, for your help! I'm glad to answer further questions via email (Ruth@writerruth.com) within reason. Best to all, Ruth
A10: ACES, of course, and the Poynter Institute; we have a partnership for a certificate. Courses at several universities, Facebook groups where you can ask questions or for advice, Editors Canada, Chartered Institute of Editors & Proofreaders, and similar associations in other countries. #ACESChat
June 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
A10: ACES, of course, and the Poynter Institute; we have a partnership for a certificate. Courses at several universities, Facebook groups where you can ask questions or for advice, Editors Canada, Chartered Institute of Editors & Proofreaders, and similar associations in other countries. #ACESChat
A9: Book publishers come to mind first, but I edit and proofread for businesses, nonprofit organizations, a law firm, a PR firm, several magazines, individual authors, websites, and more. You have to use imagination to find projects/jobs/clients. Everyone needs an editor and proofreader! #ACESChat
June 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
A9: Book publishers come to mind first, but I edit and proofread for businesses, nonprofit organizations, a law firm, a PR firm, several magazines, individual authors, websites, and more. You have to use imagination to find projects/jobs/clients. Everyone needs an editor and proofreader! #ACESChat
A8: I'm very concerned about AI & am doing my best not to use it. It's a threat not just to human beings as editors & proofreaders, but to copyright protection for authors. And it's often wrong! A human being is still necessary, as long as they have the skills & experience to do it right. #ACESChat
June 18, 2025 at 8:32 PM
A8: I'm very concerned about AI & am doing my best not to use it. It's a threat not just to human beings as editors & proofreaders, but to copyright protection for authors. And it's often wrong! A human being is still necessary, as long as they have the skills & experience to do it right. #ACESChat
A7: The work is the same, but in-house editors often have to answer to more than one colleague, are expected to be available whenever and if needed, and also to handle whatever they receive. Ideally, freelancers can set their own hours and say no to requests that seem unreasonable. #ACESChat
June 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
A7: The work is the same, but in-house editors often have to answer to more than one colleague, are expected to be available whenever and if needed, and also to handle whatever they receive. Ideally, freelancers can set their own hours and say no to requests that seem unreasonable. #ACESChat
A6: Loving to read and noticing typos isn't enough. You might not need to take courses or a certificate program; for many editors, it's enough to work in-house with skilled colleagues who show the way. Formal training is preferable nowadays because in-house jobs are scarcer every day. #ACESCHAT
June 18, 2025 at 8:25 PM
A6: Loving to read and noticing typos isn't enough. You might not need to take courses or a certificate program; for many editors, it's enough to work in-house with skilled colleagues who show the way. Formal training is preferable nowadays because in-house jobs are scarcer every day. #ACESCHAT
A5: The editor has a more in-depth role than the proofreader - the editor is expected to clarify material, flesh out incomplete thoughts or pinpoint where the author should do so, ensure consistency in style, often almost co-write. The proofreader fixes outright errors but doesn't revise. #ACESCHAT
June 18, 2025 at 8:23 PM
A5: The editor has a more in-depth role than the proofreader - the editor is expected to clarify material, flesh out incomplete thoughts or pinpoint where the author should do so, ensure consistency in style, often almost co-write. The proofreader fixes outright errors but doesn't revise. #ACESCHAT
A4: Both need attention to detail & knowledge of grammar/usage/etc. - essentially ingrained. Editors also need compassion & sensitivity to authors' feelings, tact in recommending changes or asking for clarification. Both need to know when to look things up, not assume we know it all. #ACESChat
June 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
A4: Both need attention to detail & knowledge of grammar/usage/etc. - essentially ingrained. Editors also need compassion & sensitivity to authors' feelings, tact in recommending changes or asking for clarification. Both need to know when to look things up, not assume we know it all. #ACESChat
A3: In editing, you can make changes - sometimes substantive ones - to clarif, expand, or correct the material. In proofreading, you're only supposed to correct outright errors, not rewrite. It can be very difficult to know where to draw that line. #ACESCHAT
June 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A3: In editing, you can make changes - sometimes substantive ones - to clarif, expand, or correct the material. In proofreading, you're only supposed to correct outright errors, not rewrite. It can be very difficult to know where to draw that line. #ACESCHAT
A2: An editor needs solid knowledge of grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, etc. - without AI! - and of at least one major style guide, as well as respect for authors and when to make changes. A proofreader needs the same skills and a sense of what's a "mechanical" error or typo to fix. #ACESCHAT
June 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
A2: An editor needs solid knowledge of grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, etc. - without AI! - and of at least one major style guide, as well as respect for authors and when to make changes. A proofreader needs the same skills and a sense of what's a "mechanical" error or typo to fix. #ACESCHAT
#ACESChat I was always the only person who really cared about accuracy in grammar and usage, etc., and learned from colleagues and co-workers as I went along. /2
June 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
#ACESChat I was always the only person who really cared about accuracy in grammar and usage, etc., and learned from colleagues and co-workers as I went along. /2
#ACESCHat I had incredibly strong training in grammar and usage in, of all places, sixth grade, followed by excellent AP English and related classes in high school. I started out as a writer and became the copyeditor and proofreader by default in full-time jobs as the person with the skills.
June 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
#ACESCHat I had incredibly strong training in grammar and usage in, of all places, sixth grade, followed by excellent AP English and related classes in high school. I started out as a writer and became the copyeditor and proofreader by default in full-time jobs as the person with the skills.
A7: That is, if you're new, find a cause or organization you support and volunteer to edit for them for a while. You'll build your skills and network. Future employers or freelance clients don't have to know something was unpaid; the quality of the work is what matters. #ACESChat
January 29, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A7: That is, if you're new, find a cause or organization you support and volunteer to edit for them for a while. You'll build your skills and network. Future employers or freelance clients don't have to know something was unpaid; the quality of the work is what matters. #ACESChat
Just wanted to thank Sasha for hosting this session, especially since it was my first ACESChat and first such event on Bluesky. I also greatly appreciate everyone who attended. #ACESChat
January 29, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Just wanted to thank Sasha for hosting this session, especially since it was my first ACESChat and first such event on Bluesky. I also greatly appreciate everyone who attended. #ACESChat
A8: ACES, of course: guide, chats, conferences, courses, etc. College courses, even if w-out a certificate. Following colleagues on various platforms. Reading all the time! Incl. style manuals. Asking questions in discussion lists and forums. Joining EFA, NAIWE, Editors Canada, CIEP, etc. #ACESChat
January 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
A8: ACES, of course: guide, chats, conferences, courses, etc. College courses, even if w-out a certificate. Following colleagues on various platforms. Reading all the time! Incl. style manuals. Asking questions in discussion lists and forums. Joining EFA, NAIWE, Editors Canada, CIEP, etc. #ACESChat
A7: I've found editing work via active, visible membership in ACES & other assns.; cold queries; referrals fr friends, colleagues, clients, employers; responding 2 listings. Not much luck w LinkedIn. Having your own blog can help by showing your knowledge and experience. If new, volunteer! #ACESChat
January 29, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A7: I've found editing work via active, visible membership in ACES & other assns.; cold queries; referrals fr friends, colleagues, clients, employers; responding 2 listings. Not much luck w LinkedIn. Having your own blog can help by showing your knowledge and experience. If new, volunteer! #ACESChat
A6: I use queries to highlight any technical items/terms that I'm not sure of. That way, the client or author knows to double-check such items/terms and I'm not making changes that aren't needed or appropriate. #ACESChat
January 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
A6: I use queries to highlight any technical items/terms that I'm not sure of. That way, the client or author knows to double-check such items/terms and I'm not making changes that aren't needed or appropriate. #ACESChat
Q6: That said, it does help to have some SME knowledge, especially for anything technical, medical or scientific. But it isn't always essential. #ACESChat
January 29, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Q6: That said, it does help to have some SME knowledge, especially for anything technical, medical or scientific. But it isn't always essential. #ACESChat
A6: That is, I query anything technical that I'm not sure of. Clients want us to focus on language so readers know what is being said/written. We can offer that skill level as a value for their published material. We might miss something, but if we're honest about it, we're OK. #ACESCHAT
January 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A6: That is, I query anything technical that I'm not sure of. Clients want us to focus on language so readers know what is being said/written. We can offer that skill level as a value for their published material. We might miss something, but if we're honest about it, we're OK. #ACESCHAT
A6: Experience & skill w language often matters more than in a given profession or industry. Subject matter experts often need us to make their material clear, consistent, concise and grammatically accurate. I edit topics I know nothing about because I can catch language gaffes. Queries handle tech.
January 29, 2025 at 9:29 PM
A6: Experience & skill w language often matters more than in a given profession or industry. Subject matter experts often need us to make their material clear, consistent, concise and grammatically accurate. I edit topics I know nothing about because I can catch language gaffes. Queries handle tech.