Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sharon Lindenburger on April 17, 2012 at 5:46pm

Most freelance editors experience "feast or famine"...times when you have so many assignments you can't do them all, and then times when things dry up for a while. But it always seems to cycle back again. That's why I think it's key that all independent professionals, not just editors, be good financial planners (or have access to a good financial planner). Most of the time, if an editor is good at her/his work, the famine times are short and the feast times are greater. 

Permalink Reply by Glenda J. Findley on April 18, 2012 at 12:06pm

I am still awaiting my feast...

Permalink Reply by Rhonda Helms on April 19, 2012 at 4:08pm

Yes. This. :D

Permalink Reply by Ekta R. Garg on April 18, 2012 at 4:59pm

Can it dry up completely?  No.  As long as people are writing stories, editors will have work.  But I concur with my colleagues that there are lean and fat times. 

Permalink Reply by Sharon Lindenburger on April 19, 2012 at 4:18pm

No one should go into freelance editing with the goal of becoming rich, LOL! But it is possible to make a decent living if you are persistent and if you truly live, love, and breathe books.

Permalink Reply by Jill R. Hughes on April 21, 2012 at 11:37am

I've had only one brief famine in the 12 years I've been freelancing. It was after a bread-and-butter client decided to move their copyediting in house. But I scampered around and drummed up business quickly and had only two weeks' downtime. It was a good learning experience, but I'd rather not go through it again.