New Direction

For the past 18 months, I've shared how to build your editing career. It seems to have struck a chord.

Technical editing content is dime a dozen. But I wanted to talk about how to edit what you love, for a long time, in a healthy way.

The editing community has proven to be bigger than I even thought. I regularly see editors from Nigeria, India, England, Brazil, and the U.S.

You all in turn gave back! 500 newsletter subscribers, almost $1000 sold in editor products, and over 3,000 followers.

Then at the beginning of November, I began to consider advice I've given a lot: Am I saying yes to the job I want to do more of?

I have been an editor for 16 years. But I've been a fantasy writer and screenwriter for 30.

It's the age-old question: what would you like to be doing in 5 years? The answer for me has always been... writing. Whether that was fantasy/adventure or screenwriting, that's always been my first love.

So I've decided to change things up. The hours spent writing content and making resources this past 1.5 years hasn't been a waste—I've learned a lot, and I hope you have too.

But I have 4 kids. I'm almost 40. There is only so much spare time in the day. So I'm shifting focus.

Editing is still my day-job. I'll still be working and sharing what I've learned. You may even see a resource pop up now and then. (In fact one is in the works right now.)

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me along the way, shared a post, offered your input, and helped make the editing community a better place. I hope this newsletter has helped you build a stronger, more fulfilling editing career

Helpful Links

• Like most of you, I used to charge hourly for editing. I topped out at $65/hr, but then I switched to flat rates and more than doubled my hourly income. The Editor’s Quick Guide to Flat Rates will show you how you can do that too. Sign up here to be notified when it’s ready—and receive 20% off the launch price.

• Do you love fantasy and adventure fiction? Sign up here to read chapters as I finish them (you’ll get the first chapter right away.)

If we focus on our skills, attitude, process, experience, and relationships, we can all edit what we love for a long time.

Keep cutting,

– Jesse