#editor #editing #freelance #publishing | Stephanie Collin | 10 comments

My path into editing is not traditional. But that's okay. Nobody's path looks the same, and I don't expect it to. I'll admit I couldn't get into editing the traditional route. I tried. I did. I applied for editorial internships and entry-level jobs for a few years starting in college. Nothing. Mostly I was ghosted, but I occasionally received rejection emails. Sometimes I was underqualified, other times I was overqualified. Stuck in the cycle between the two. I felt so lost and worthless. After two years of trying, my mental health couldn't take it anymore. I decided to create my own path into editing. I read an amazing blog post by Crystal Yang (Rabbit with a Red Pen) that explained how to get into freelance editing. I researched programs, cold-emailed a few editors, started connecting here on LinkedIn. Then I signed up for the UC San Diego Extended Studies copyediting program. I learned a lot about editing and starting a freelance editing business. From there, I kept going, kept building, kept working hard. I changed my strategy multiple times to find what works and what didn't for me. Until I got to where I am now, fully booked out for a few months at a time, growing the business, and earning more than I expected to in my first year at this. Not everyone can get into editing through the traditional path. Some of us have to carve our own place in the industry. To any freelance editors starting out, if you really believe this is what you want to do with your life, you should keep going. Don't think that traditional measures of success have to define you. You will make it. Get into editing however you can. Want to chat more about my experiences? Feel free to connect and send a DM! ---- #editor #editing #freelance #publishing 👋 Hi, I'm Steph from Otters Editing! I help you swim easily through your publishing journey! ✏️ Need an empathetic editor for a fantasy, LGBTQ+ romance, or sci-fi story? I have availability June, July, and August! Click the link in my bio or DM me for more information. 🦦 Let's make your writing Otterly Amazing! | 10 comments on LinkedIn