Expert: Cathy Clamp - 3/23/2009

Question
Cathy, I have spent the past 25 years in professional contracting, spending a large percentage of the time drafting or editing proposal and contract documents.  I have performed well, but am interested in combining my skills with my passion for word use.  Family, friends and even unknowns have "used" me as their proof-reader, editor, ghost writer, etc. and I have loved every opportunity.  My love of words (origin, definition and use) is similar to my love of chocolate - I thoroughly enjoy each chance to savor a new offering.  This love was passed down to my now adult daughter and we often share new words, commonly misused words, words that have been transformed by pop culture, etc. via email.  And, I am a compulsive reader with an affinity to hardbound books.  I read just about any kind of fiction (science fiction, excluded) and revel in writings that exceed 700 pages (Viram Seth stole my heart with "A Suitable Boy").

My education includes a Master of Science degree, but in a very specialized area.  I believe I have good writing and editing skills and would like to transition into a career as a copy editor for fiction novels; the genre is unimportant.  I would appreciate any advise you can offer.

Answer
Hi, Shari!

Sorry for the delay in answering, but I've been out of town for a few days and forgot to mark myself on "vacation" here.

A couple of things you could do easily would be to offer out your services for a reduced rate to "learn the business" to some local small presses. That would give you a good feel for what a manuscript looks like coming in the door at a publisher. Remember that you're seeing books on the shelf only after they've been through several edit passes. It's important that you see what they look like when they arrive. It might be that at first you'd only proofread galleys, but it would be a place to start to get the feel of publishing.

If you Google "independent publishing association & [insert your state name]" You'll probably find a list of some local companies that could use a helping hand.

Otherwise, I'd recommend checking with Publisher's Marketplace (http://www.publishersmarketplace.com ) and subscribing for $20 per month. You get a weekly newsletter that's a current industry "bulletin board" for upcoming jobs.

Another thing to try is to see if your local library can get a magazine called "Publisher's Weekly" by interlibrary loan (it's pretty specialized. Only really big libraries carry it.) That's the other place where help wanted ads appear.

Good luck!

Cathy