MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Will the next booming profession be copy editor?

greencat · 12-22-2010, 04:47 AM

I don't think the next booming profession will be copy editor as companies are looking at reducing the rates they want to pay for many of the reasons outlined above.

It is also fairly difficult work requiring lots of concentration. Sadly it is not the kind of job where you can goof off for a few hours and no-one will notice.

I can see a rise in hobbyist copy editors/proofers. Basically these will be people who might have read your book anyway and in exchange for a credit/small sum/free copy/early access will spot the glaring stuff. Perhaps the 80/20 rule might start to apply - ie if most of your amateurs don't spot the error then most of the population won't either. Books might go through beta cycles - pay a dollar for a uncorrected version and get it now or a five when it's complete. Indie authors/small publishers with small dedicated followings might well start taking advantage of this kind of crowdsourcing.

Outsourcing overseas? Often local English is significantly different than British or US English. I think increasing software based automation is likely though.

12-22-2010, 04:47 AM	#90
greencat Freebie finder Posts: 907 Karma: 2046472 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony, Kindle	I don't think the next booming profession will be copy editor as companies are looking at reducing the rates they want to pay for many of the reasons outlined above. It is also fairly difficult work requiring lots of concentration. Sadly it is not the kind of job where you can goof off for a few hours and no-one will notice. I can see a rise in hobbyist copy editors/proofers. Basically these will be people who might have read your book anyway and in exchange for a credit/small sum/free copy/early access will spot the glaring stuff. Perhaps the 80/20 rule might start to apply - ie if most of your amateurs don't spot the error then most of the population won't either. Books might go through beta cycles - pay a dollar for a uncorrected version and get it now or a five when it's complete. Indie authors/small publishers with small dedicated followings might well start taking advantage of this kind of crowdsourcing. Outsourcing overseas? Often local English is significantly different than British or US English. I think increasing software based automation is likely though. Last edited by greencat; 12-22-2010 at 04:52 AM.