Having worked as a freelance proofreader and copy editor for over 15 years now I am no stranger to the job; I also worked in-house for about 10 years before that. I’ve worked for publishers, professional bodies and private individuals, and in that time, I’ve edited and proofread countless books covering myriad topics (when asked about my work, I always say I know a little about a lot!), as well as numerous research and survey reports, annual reports, and practical guides … the list could go on and on.
Most of my clients over the years have been ‘regulars’, so I can get to know what they expect from me and the service I provide. When you take on that first job for a new client, you always hope that it will go well – that you’ll enjoy the work, that you’ll meet their expectations, and that it will lead to a lasting relationship.
I started working with Accuracy Matters early last year, and it was clear to me from my first contact with AM that they set very high standards for themselves and for those who work for them. I’d never received such a detailed debrief of a proofreading test than I had from Accuracy Matters! That first interaction set the tone of the relationship – and those first impressions have been proved right in the months since.
From my first project with Accuracy Matters, I felt like I was in good hands. Sometimes, working as a freelancer can be a lonely experience. You don’t have a manager or colleagues ‘backing you up’ – it is 100% down to you – but AM made me feel part of a team. I have never felt that I’m alone when working on my AM projects. All the project managers have done the job themselves, so they know exactly what I need in terms of a brief. They are quick to respond to my queries, and they are helpful in their responses (unfortunately, that’s not always the case elsewhere).
Like I said, my job means I know a little bit about a lot of different things. It is one of the joys of being a so-called generalist. And much to my delight, this last year working for AM has certainly continued this trend for me. I love the variety of topics and types of work presented to me from one week to the next. I’ve been asked to proofread very short pieces of text in three different languages (languages I don’t speak, by the way – literally checking that the text provided has been exactly replicated in the final version). At the other extreme are reports to Parliament or by NGOs that run into the tens of thousands of words. And the subject matter has ranged from borders and immigration, the agricultural sector, and banking, to social media for small business, ESG in large corporations, and research into assistive technology for those with disabilities, all of which has kept me on my toes!
Working with Accuracy Matters is making me a better copy editor and proofreader, while extending my record of knowing a little about a lot, and I look forward to working with them on many new and interesting projects as this year gets going.
* We always love hearing from talented freelancers in the editorial world. If you’re interested in working with us please do get in touch.
