How to succeed as a Freelancer in Publishing: The Complete Guide

This book tells you how to build a successful freelance business around supplying publishing services. The publishing industry depends on freelancers: writers and editors, proofreaders and designers, PR and typesetters. For those in the know, there is a wealth of opportunities on offer. Graduates, retired professionals, in-house editors, career-changers - more and more people are taking the plunge and going freelance. You can succeed as a freelancer in publishing, and this book shows you how. It includes top tips; insider knowledge and case studies; information on how to market yourself, deal with finance and find out what your clients are looking for - plus invaluable insights from other successful freelancers and industry experts.

Contents: Acknowledgements; Introduction; What's this book about?; Who's this book for?; Why did we write this book?; Who are the authors?; How do I use this book?; How can I find out more about freelancing?; 1. Suits You, Sir?; Having the necessary ability; Drawing on experience; Thinking about qualifications; Loving your job; Donning your business cap; Being your own boss; Dealing with financial uncertainty; Handling technology; Coping with ebb and flow; Organizing your workload; Handling rejection; Being a people-person; Working from home; Balancing home and work; Considering your health; 2. Setting Up Shop; Considering your timing; Checking that you will be self-employed; Determining your business structure; Registering as self-employed; Setting up Class 2 National Insurance payments; Choosing a business name; Preparing your work environment; 3. Running Your Business; Protecting yourself with terms and conditions; Setting clear boundaries: the project agreement; Signing confidentiality agreements; Understanding copyright; Safeguarding your data; Managing your workload; Keeping happy, healthy, and productive; Going in-house; Evolving your business; Taking time off; Summary; 4. Money, Money, Money; Setting your rates; Charging clients; Getting paid on time; Deducting business expenses; Filing your tax return; Paying your taxes; Opening a business bank account; Finding help; 5. Marketing Your Business; Defining your marketing strategy; Representing your business; Sending mailshots; Building your own website; Selling yourself; Working for free; 6. Keeping Up with the Kids: Digital Marketing; Getting ranked; Socializing virtual-style; Going viral; Paying for the privilege; Maintaining your digital presence; Blogging for your supper; Seeing is believing; Over to the experts: The freelancer's guide to building their reputation on the internet; Case study: Creative marketing; 7. Working with Frenemies; Collaborating with your competitors; Researching your competition; Establishing contact; Passing the buck; Branching out; Finding a mentor; Motivating each other; Ranting about rates; Working together; Case study: Contacts, contacts, contacts; 8. Dealing with Different Types of Clients; Taking a professional approach; Accepting and following the brief; Being friendly - to a point; Dealing with difficult clients; Working with different clients; Case study: Standing in the author's shoes; Case study: Seeing clients from both sides of the fence; 9. Exploring All Avenues; Which is the best role for you?; Choosing your freelance role; Over to the experts; 10. Inspirational Stories; A journey through publishing; The accidental freelancer; Calling all freelancers!; Is it catching? Viral and digital marketing in the book world; If at first you don't succeed...; Useful Contacts; Index.

Emma Murray and Charlie Wilson are freelance publishing professionals who've been writing and editing books for publishers and authors for more than a decade.
Emma Murray (www.emmamurray.net) occasionally writes in industry trade publications and gives talks to aspiring freelancers about how to make a success of their business. As a writer, Emma has worked on numerous texts, including academic, business, self-help, and psychology. Within the field of higher education, Emma is the co-author of three academic textbooks: Management: A Balanced Approach to the 21st Century Second Edition (Wiley 2016), Organizational Behavior (Sage 2016); and Entrepreneurship: A Practice-Based Approach (Sage 2016). Emma is also the author of The Unauthorized Guide to Doing Business the Alan Sugar Way (2010, Wiley-Capstone).
Through her business The Book Specialist (http://thebookspecialist.com/) Charlie provides editorial services ranging from ghostwriting and critiquing to editing and proofreading. She's been trusted with many millions of words by publishers, government bodies, charities, universities, companies and private individuals. Under her professional name she's the author of several non-fiction titles, including a specialist guide to writing a marketable book; under pen names and as a ghostwriter she's the author of a growing list of novels, memoirs, children's books and non-fiction guides. Charlie also gives talks on freelancing and editorial skills, and mentors aspiring and new freelancers.