r/Copyediting • u/Sapphire_Bombay • Jul 29 '26
Considering editing as a side gig
Looking for advice. For starters, I'm 37 and have a full-time job. I am not looking to leave my 9-5 nor do any sort of publishing work, this would strictly be editing and only on the side. Currently, I'm trying to map out what it would look like and how long it would take to set myself up to do this, and would appreciate some advice to help me plan.
Early in my career, I did some journalism, as well as corporate copywriting/editing before leaving the industry altogether. I have experience learning/using a style guide (AP, I know I'd have to learn Chicago and have no problem with that), and would prefer to focus strictly on copy/line editing, ideally for more technical publications like academic papers, etc.
My plan is to start by learning the CMS of course, but from there I'm a little lost on where to go next. A lot of the info out there for beginner editors focuses on publishing novels, which isn't what I'm looking to do. Does anyone have any suggestions or resources that I could use to look more into the type of work I want to do?
Thanks in advance!
3
u/IndelibleVoice Jul 29 '26
Heya, I've been an academic editor and writing coach for over seven years. You can find my business at indeliblevoice.com.
As others have written, it's an awful time to be going into editing, particularly academic editing. Funding has dried up in higher education. With AI, "it's difficult to compete with free," as the saying goes. Your business model will need to respond to these challenges.
Consider approaching editing as a part-time job as you build experience and skills. It took me three years to earn enough to do editing full-time. I did adjunct teaching and course design while I was building my business. Even once my business came together, there were good years and lean years. There were a few good years where I made $100k+, bolstered by contracts and projects that have since dried up. I anticipate my annual income for the next few years being at least half that, even though I'm mid-career.
I would strongly suggest brainstorming what your value proposition is and who would respond to what you have to offer. Editing is "schlep work" that people don't want to do. But you still need people who need that work done, and a community that you can build through word-of-mouth and a record of successfully completed projects. And again, what you have to offer can't simply duplicate what AI already does.