Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor27 Mar 2025

How to Land Steady Editing Work from University Presses and Journals

If you’ve ever wanted to work as a freelance editor for academic presses and journals—but weren’t sure how to get started—this episode is for you. ✅

This week on Leaving Academia, I’m talking to Laura Poole, a freelance editor with 28 years of experience working with university presses and academic journals.

In this episode, Laura reveals:

🚀 The best way to land freelance work with academic publishers,

🚀 Why networking (not social media) is the key to getting hired,

🚀 How to get your first university press client—even with no formal experience, and

🚀 One strategy that can be your secret weapon for breaking in to the business.

If you’re looking for steady, reliable academic editing work, don’t miss this one!

Watch this episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast app.

https://youtu.be/6vupRreuAf8

Want more tips to super-charge your editing business and get the clients flowing in? **Join our monthly membership, Digital Marketing for Freelance Editors:

AcadiaEditing.com/marketing

Curious to find out more about freelance academic editing or coaching? Get my free video series on academic editing and coaching:

https://AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

Want to work with Laura? You can get in touch here:

https://www.archereditorial.com/

0:00 - Introduction to Academic Editing

0:36 - How I Started in Academic Editing

1:57 - Building a Career in Scholarly Publishing

4:12 - Finding Work as a Freelance Editor

5:39 - The Importance of Networking

6:55 - Strategies for Gaining Clients

8:16 - Establishing a Good Reputation

10:09 - Making Editing Decisions

11:15 - Working with Publishers vs. Authors

12:52 - Scheduling Projects and Deadlines

16:09 - Understanding Editorial Guidelines

17:51 - Connecting with Managing Editors

19:34 - Preparing for Editing Tests

22:34 - Proofreading as a Foot in the Door

31:55 - Valuing Your Work as a New Editor

34:40 - Connecting with Other Editors

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