Become a Freelance Editor

Free Editing Apprenticeship with Jeanette Smith

Welcome! You reached this page because your next career move is to become a freelance editor for line editing and copyediting. If you're truly serious about that, then keep reading.

Do you remember the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment from the Disney movie Fantasia? Let me refresh your memory. Mickey Mouse is an apprentice to a mighty sorcerer who has a magical hat. The sorcerer puts down the hat and goes to get some rest. Meanwhile, Mickey has been carrying buckets of water to the cauldron.

Once the sorcerer is asleep, Mickey tries on the magical hat and commands a nearby broom to come to life and carry buckets of water for him. Soon, he falls asleep and dreams of being a mighty sorcerer himself. When he wakes up, the room is flooded, and things go further haywire. Eventually, the sorcerer returns and stops the chaos. He admonishes Mickey and sends him back to his chores.

What the heck does this have to do with editing, you may ask? I'm coming to that.

Imagine that segment redone. Instead of forcing his apprentice into menial work, the sorcerer would give Mickey a hat of his own and show him how to use it properly. He would teach Mickey to be a mighty sorcerer right alongside him. That ending would have been much preferable!

And that's exactly what I'm offering. I want to help you create and use your own magical hat (aka skills) so you can become your own sorcerer (aka start or ramp up your freelance editing career). To that effect, I am looking to take on two apprentices this year, new editors or aspiring editors who would shadow me and learn from me. This year's apprenticeship is already underway. The next one will occur from March 2027 to January 2028.

The MOST IMPORTANT requirement for this opportunity is that you1000% (not a typo) intend to take the skills you would learn and set yourself up as someone who edits for money. You're truly looking to make this a career. If you're just in it for the fun, this isn't for you.

Since I am expecting significant interest, there is an application form I am asking everyone to fill in. It's extensive, but I want to make sure that you're serious about this and can actually make it happen. Where you're starting from in knowledge and skill is far less important than being able to show that you are committed to this entire process and will put it to use.

Please carefully review the program details below. If it looks like what you need to get your editing career going, then I look forward to seeing your application. If this isn't quite what you were looking for, no worries. I'm still happy to answer questions or point to resources.

Apprenticeship Details

Apprenticeship Activities

Practice Edits

You will receive short excerpts of previous clients’ work (with permission, anonymized). You will edit independently, leaving comments about your editorial decisions. I will check your work and give written notes about strengths and misses.

Editorial Skills

These will be 45-minute live virtual sessions on the topic of editing. During these sessions, you will be learning the ins and outs of thinking like an editor and the skills you need to line edit and copyedit. These sessions will be recorded.

Editing Business

These will be 45-minute live virtual sessions on the topic of running a freelance business. During these sessions, you will be learning the ins and out of running a full and legal business. These sessions will be recorded.

Guest Editor Q&A

Once a month (based on availability) I will bring in an experienced freelance editor for a Q&A. These would be unstructured, just an open time for questions to get a different perspective on the business and work.

Homework

This encapsulates too many tasks to list but will involve putting the learning from the business and editorial classes into practice. For example, after the business topic of websites and portfolios, your homework would involve preparing to set up your own site or portfolio (there are free ways to do this, so don’t worry about a financial barrier to this homework).

1:1 Meetings

Throughout the program, apprentices will have the opportunity to meet with me one-on-one for feedback or questions. What happens during these meetings will be largely directed by what the apprentice is struggling with or questioning at the time.

Meeting Topics

Business Topics

Setting up a business
Branding
Websites and portfolios
Marketing
Vetting clients
Pricing
Contracts
Handling clients professionally
Stuff after the edit
Transitioning to editing

Editing Topics

Defining line and copyediting
Microsoft Word
Tools
Style sheets
Editing basics
Editorial judgment
Professional development
The editing community

Client Practice

When available, I will help you practice working with real clients. This could be anything from writing a response to a fake upset customer to actually jumping on a critique call with a real person (who’s not me).

Reflection & Self-Assessment

Once a month, you will fill in a self-assessment, so we can keep your learning on track and focus on what you really need. You will also be giving the course and me feedback so I can continue to provide the best education in a way that works for you. I will respond with written feedback to discuss your accomplishments and concerns.

Shadowing

You would watch me edit a current client’s manuscript live, and I would be narrating my decisions out loud. There would be the opportunity to ask questions throughout or after. This will be the least structured or guaranteed activity, due to the permission needed from clients and my general client workflow. I will do everything in my power to ensure this happens a significant number of times throughout the apprenticeship.

Compare-the-Edits

Instead of shadowing me live, you would receive a section of the manuscript to edit on your own. I would then compare your edit to what I ended up doing on the client manuscript and give written notes on differences and where multiple edits could be equally valid.

Capstone: “Editorial Identity”

By the end of the year, you will create a business plan. This will involve practical steps as well as branding, marketing, etc. Everything we do is working toward setting you up as a professional freelance editor. This is the main goal.

Frequency/Schedule

Practice Edits: Once a month starting in April (edit due mid-month; review returned by end of month)
Editorial Skills: 45-minute virtual session (bi-weekly for 3 months, then monthly)
Editing Business: 45-minute virtual session (bi-weekly for 3 months, then monthly)
Guest Q&A: 30-minute virtual session monthly
Homework: Assigned at virtual sessions; due throughout the program
1:1 Meetings: Offered monthly
Client Practice: Part of homework and when available live
Reflections: Due monthly
Shadow Editing: When available but as frequently as possible
Compare Edits: Monthly starting in August (replaces some shadow editing)
Capstone Project: Started day 1; completed by the end

Don't Apply Until Your Read This

These are some other important things you should know about this opportunity . . .

This program will be taught using American English and US publishing standards.
We will only be covering line editing and copyediting. If you want to become a developmental editor or proofreader, this opportunity will not get you there.
This is the first iteration of this idea. The program may not pan out exactly as above, but I guarantee that I will do everything in my power to make it so you are set up as a trained freelance editor by the end.
This program in no way guarantees you paying work. The idea is to set you up to edit for money, but I will not be subcontracting projects to you during or after the program. You will be responsible for finding your own clients (how to do that will be covered in the training).
You will be signing a contract with me affirming that you commit to the entire length of the program (barring any major disruption from either party). I reserve the right to end your apprenticeship at any time if you are not showing commitment—such as not showing up, turning in homework, or responding to emails. I am committing this time to you; I expect the same in return.
You will be expected to "build in public." That means you will post publicly (social media, blog, newsletter, or whatever platform you choose) about your learning and my teaching.
I will never ask you for money for this apprenticeship. I may suggest paid resources to supplement this knowledge, but you will have no expenses OTHER THAN owning the Chicago Manual of Style (or a subscription) and owning or having access to Microsoft Word.

Be the First to Hear About Applications

Applications for this opportunity have closed for this year.

PLEASE NOTE! The official application will be capped at 25 responses. If the form is unavailable, please understand that the cap has been met.