|
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I earn?
Proofreaders
working for publishing companies earn
up to £21 an hour and copy-editors up to £24. They have few expenses and
work from home. They only need a telephone and a place to work quietly. You may earn
more working for non-publishers.
Are there any hidden charges?
No. Unlike some providers
of training courses, we won't charge you for postage and packing, for
any of your assessments provided as part of the course or for your
certificate.
How do I get work?Through our extensive experience we
show the best
way to market and promote yourself and how to make the best of your particular skills.
You must be prepared to take the business seriously to get work. Nothing is easy these
days but we have many certificated correspondents who report on excellent careers since
taking the course. Whether you want to work for publishers or a wide variety of other
organisations we show you how to succeed.
Do a lot of people work freelance?Yes.
Freelancers have always been an important part of the book industry and their importance
is growing as the cost of employing people full-time increases. More books have been published
in the UK in recent years than ever before, which has produced more work for freelancers than
ever. Many former students have been successful in establishing careers working for non-publishing clients.
Any company or organisation which produces brochures, pamphlets, documents, reports or booklets may need
your services.
Are proofreading and copy-editing different?
A copy-editor prepares an author's typescript for the typesetter who sets the
type and produces proofs. The proofs are checked by the proofreader. The copy-editor's job is much
broader and decisions have to be made on style, presentation and consistency, as well as minor matters.
The proofreader is the detail spotter who weeds out the errors before the book goes into print but does
not make substantial changes. Many people work both as copy-editors and as proofreaders, however.
Do I need a university degree or A levels?
No. You need a sound grasp of the English language (the course will help here with lots of grammar and punctuation tips), an eye for detail and the ability to concentrate.
The best proofreaders come from a variety of backgrounds: some have formal qualifications, others have none.
As long as you have a keen eye and the necessary dedication, you have a chance to establish a very successful freelance career.
Do I need a computer?
Most freelance editors and proofreaders work on paper. Some freelancers work on screen, and need specialist training.
If you prefer to work in the traditional way on paper, our courses provide full training.
Access to email is very useful as is access to the internet for research into potential areas of work.
Can I do the course and find
work abroad?
Yes, and many of our
students do. Indeed, living abroad may even give you an advantage. It
is possible to work for UK publishers from abroad, but you may do
better to work for local businesses publishing in a mixture of the
local language and English; the quantity of material published in the
corporate and publishing sectors in English is huge.
Is the system in the USA the
same as in the UK?
Obviously there are some
spelling differences between the UK and the USA, but these are easily
learned, and it is easy for a proofreader or copy-editor to adapt
between the two countries.
Do I have to live near publishers to get work?
No. Most freelancers work through the postal system or courier services,
and it doesn't matter where you live. Publishers usually pay your despatch costs.
Will the course help me to get a full-time job in publishing?
Yes. Look at our sample comments from ex-students! We can't guarantee success,
but the course is well respected and doing it shows application and seriousness.
Is it all right if I take a long time doing the course?
Yes. You go at your own pace, which adds enjoyment and aids learning. Our
correspondence courses take on average twenty weeks, but students can take up to a year
to complete their course if they wish to do so.
What sort of feedback
will I get?
On the correspondence
courses, your tutor will mark your assessments and return them to you
with a form which will highlight your strengths and weaknesses and
indicate what you need to work on next. There is also support always
available via telephone and email.
Is the certificate valuable?
Yes. The Chapterhouse course is well respected in the UK and internationally,
and to achieve a certificate of competence on our courses is significant evidence of your ability.
Can I get help after the course?
Yes. For two years after
you complete the course there is a free email advice service available.
Can I get my money back?
For the first ten days
you can, as long as your course is unmarked and in pristine condition
when you return it. After the first ten days we don't offer refunds,
but that should give you plenty of time to inspect the course
thoroughly. Regrettably, it's not possible to offer refunds on seminars
after attendance.
How much do the courses cost?
With online booking discount the Proofreading and
Editorial Skills course costs £195 (normal price
£276) and Proofreader Plus costs £135 (normal price
£192). You can book online by clicking CORRESPONDENCE
to enrol on one of our correspondence courses, or SEMINARS
to enrol on one of our seminars. You can also book over the phone by
calling us on 01392 499488.
|
|
