Resources for Editors (and Self-Editing Writers)
This *evolving* list includes my favorite resources for all-things copyediting (and more), and I’d love to add to it from others’ suggestions. Do you have a favorite you’d like to share?
Business of editing (including websites!):
Building a Story Brand – By Donald Miller. I’ve used this for branding and when crafting my website’s copy. It’s helped me stay true to my voice while clarifying my hopes and goals as an editor.
The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors – By Erin Brenner (who’s a former UC San Diego copyediting instructor, by the way). This one’s a new release, as of April 2024. I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on it yet, but Erin has a wealth of knowledge to offer her fellow editors, and I expect great things!
Copyeditor’s Knowledge Base – Editor Katharine O’Moore Klopf of KOK Edit shares a true wealth of resources for self-employed editors on this site. I’m so grateful to her for compiling and maintaining the knowledge base, and I know others feel the same. (Note: she’s also the owner of Copyediting-L, listed below.)
The Freelance Editor’s Handbook – By Suzy Bills. A fellow UC San Diego copyediting grad kindly recommended this one, and it has a lot of useful info on creating a freelance business, from contracts to pricing and much more, including some helpful website suggestions.
Improve Your Editor Website – By Debbie Emmitt. This book, a recent release, has been so helpful to me! I’ve learned plenty of the website basics I missed in my haphazard, self-websiting journey, and it’s the only resource I know of that is geared specifically toward editors’ websites. Tip: she wrote a different version for authors! *Debbie is also testing a new website mentoring service, and I’ve had the great fortune of benefitting from it. Like her books, it was a tremendous help and such a positive experience. (I’ve already made some website improvements based on what she shared, with more to come!)
Journalist’s Toolbox – From the Society of Professional Journalists. This one is undoubtedly a great help to anyone involved in journalism, as it houses another vast collection of editing resources and related information.
Editing Certificate Programs in the US:
*Note, these programs offer a certificate, not a certification. No certifying body for most types of editing (copyediting, etc.) currently exists in the United States.
Each of the following programs seem to be broadly known and respected, but you can judge for yourself which might be the best fit for you.
In addition to the list below, several editing associations offer a variety of worthwhile editing classes. Both ACES and EFA include education sections on their websites, for example. Members of these associations benefit from course discounts and additional opportunities for training.
Emerson College: Professional NonCredit Certificate in Copyediting – Note: This program may not currently be active. In the past, they’ve said, “Our remote copyediting program consists of a series of dedicated modules covering copyediting fundamentals and industry topics.”
NYU School of Professional Studies: Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking – They say their certificate is “designed to provide students with expert advice on what publishers look for and the skills needed to become an exemplary copy editor across all types of media–including book, magazine, newspaper, and online publishing.”
Poynter ACES Introductory Certificate in Editing – They offer introductory, intermediate, and advanced certificates and say, “Distinguish yourself with the industry’s premiere editing certificates, where you’ll engage in powerful lessons, immerse yourself in accuracy and verification skills and become the kind of editor people are hungry to work with.”
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies: Specialized Certificate in Copyediting – They say, “Our program provides a solid understanding of the tools and techniques of copy editing and introduces several topics required to make copyediting a career.” I can personally recommend this one. I had fantastic teachers, learned a lot, and enjoyed connecting with fellow editors. It’s a challenging program, but well worth the effort. (Yes, I may be biased, but no, I’m not a bit ashamed of that fact.)
University of Chicago: Non-Credit Certificate Program in Editing – They say, “Secure foundational editing skills while learning about the latest trends and technologies to prepare for a successful publishing career.” (Note: this university produces the Chicago Manual of Style.)
Editing go-to resources/skills:
The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction – By Amy J. Schneider. This book is a fairly new release, but that doesn’t stop it from having a vast—and growing—group of fans. I just started reading it, so I’m late to the game, but very happy to be here! It’s an excellent resource.
The Chicago Manual of Style – Online and print versions. (Either one is pricey, but if you’re in book publishing, it’s the style guide.) Answers to questions can often be found through an online search as well, including through their Style Q&A. This is easily the most-used reference book on my editing shelf.
The Copyeditor’s Handbook – By Amy Einsohn and Marilyn Schwartz. I was introduced to this through the UCSD copyediting program and learned so much from it. Another go-to resource, it resides happily on my editing bookshelf.
Garner’s Modern English Usage – By Bryan A. Garner. This book answers all kinds of questions related to the grammar, usage, and style of the modern English language. It’s well written, interesting, and incredibly informative. Another UCSD recommendation that I find fascinating.
Macros for Editors (and Poofreaders) – (Website featuring free e-book) By Paul Beverly. This is the best source I know of for editing macros, and the fact that it’s free still stuns me. In my online editing groups, I’ve repeatedly seen Mr. Beverly share macro help when needed. It’s inspiring!
McGraw-Hill Handbook of English Grammar & Usage – By Mark Lester. This is another book I was introduced to through UCSD’s copyediting program, and it has become my main resource for verifying anything related to grammar and usage. It’s both educational and well written.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary or Merriam-Webster online – In addition to CMoS, this resource is the one used most often to check hyphenation, spelling, etc. I have the hardback on my editing bookshelf and the online version bookmarked. I’m a near-daily visitor, and I’ve also recommended this on my list of resources for writers.
PerfectIt – This editing software helps with things like consistency, abbreviations, checking different types of English (AU, CA, UK and US), and it can be set to follow certain style guides. PerfectIt seems to be a favorite among editors.
The Subversive Copy Editor – By the well-known editor and CMoS Q&A expert Carol Fisher Saller. This book was recommended by other editors, and it’s an enjoyable, informative read. I love that it offers a refreshing look at how to edit—less in terms of technical skills, and more in clarifying what it means to be a good editor.
Thesaurus – (This is also on my resources for writers list.) Merriam-Webster has a good one, and I’m a fan of Roget’s International Thesaurus. I’m just as likely to research word options online at wordhippo or Thesaurus.com though. Even if the word you’re looking for isn’t there, a thesaurus might help you peel it from the tip of your tongue.
Online editing resources (various types):
Adrienne Mongtomerie’s Right Angels and Polo Bears blog – This website includes info on editing software for editors, etc. This means it has a lot to offer on exactly the part of editing I find most difficult: the tech stuff (although marketing my business is probably equally challenging). My introduction to the wonder of macros came through the Editing in Word ebook (and related blog), along with Paul Beverly’s resources.
Chicago Manual of Style’s Online Q&A – Like the entries above and below, this is part of the CMoS family of resources (that famous style guide for just about everyone involved in book editing and publishing).
CMOS Shop Talk – Chicago Manual of Style blog; another part of the CMoS picture and a very helpful resource for book editors with questions.
Copyediting-L – Katharine O’Moore-Klopf (of KOK Edit and The Copyeditor’s Knowledge Base, listed above) currently owns this email discussion list. On it, editors and others can talk editing, editing, and more editing. It’s an informative online resource, and one of its tabs features a list of freelance editors and their specialties.
Google Books and Google Scholar – Indexes for full-text books and scholarly literature, respectively.
Google Books Ngram viewer – If you’re curious about word usage, this resource is extra helpful, in that it allows you to see which word or phrase is more likely to be familiar to readers. (I used it recently when deciding between two terms for a children’s book I’m currently working on.)
Google Maps – Use this to confirm the locations and spellings of place names, all around the world, as well as the distances (walking, cycling, driving, etc.) between places.
Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips – Mignon Fogarty’s website, blog, podcast, books (and maybe more?). I’ve been looking to this resource for answers since I first started out in copyediting. How fortunate I was to find it back then! Grammar Girl provides the answers to many editing questions, all while keeping the discussion entertaining.
Linguaholic – This site includes a language forum, which you can use to help address grammar-related questions, and a blog with articles on everything from grammar to writing tips to commas.
Louise Harnby’s blog and resource library – One of the best-known among fiction editors from the UK (or anywhere), Louise Harnby is also known for her podcast and her resources, which she generously offers for free to editors and writers alike. I’ve referred to her site over and over again, and I’m sure I’ll be back sometime soon!
Time and Date – This is my go-to resource for checking the time for anywhere in the world (world clock, time zone info) and the date (with calendars for different years, going backward and forward in time). It has a lot more to offer, too, including the weather, sun and moon calculators, and date-to-date calculators.
WorldCat – This is a “global catalog of library materials. You can search for books, music, video, articles and much more at libraries near you.”
Organizations:
*KOK edit’s Copyeditor’s Knowledge Base includes a wonderful, comprehensive list of organizations. A few well-known groups among the many are below. (I believe several—maybe all?—offer freelance editor directories and/or job postings for editing work.)
CIEP: Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (UK)
EFA: Editorial Freelancers Association
NAIWE: National Association of Independent Writers & Editors
PEN: Professional Editors Network (based in Minnesota)
SD/PEN – San Diego Professional Editors Network
Sensitivity/Authenticity Editing:
APA (American Psychological Association) Inclusive Language Guidelines – They say: “By embracing inclusive language and encouraging others to do the same, we firmly believe that we will not only communicate effectively with more people, but also better adapt to a diversifying society and globe.”
Conscious Style Guide – They say: “The essential guide to conscious language. The latest news, observations, and style guides—all in one place.”
Diversity Style Guide – They say: “The Diversity Style Guide is a resource to help journalists and other media professionals cover a complex, multicultural world with accuracy, authority and sensitivity.”
“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”
Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Thanks for reading, and please contact me at Three Quills Editing to discuss just about anything: books and poetry, rescue pets, your favorite pollinator-friendly native plants, or—one of my personal favorites—to request a free sample edit. I’d love to hear from you!
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