Why is the SfEP so pessimistic about new freelance proofreaders and copy-editors finding work?
If the experience of the vast majority of our members and associates is anything to go by, it is very difficult to build up an adequate client list if you don’t have either specialist knowledge or contacts in the publishing industry or both. Even these advantages might not be enough. Although more books, journals and websites are being produced all the time, publishers are trying to reduce costs by eliminating or severely curtailing the editorial work done on their texts, often not valuing the skills that were applied in less pressured times. Even if they do appreciate them, an increasing number of publishers are now sending proofreading and copy-editing work to be done abroad to save money.
