This directory was open to freelance editors and writers of all experience levels but we especially welcomed talented freelance newcomers to sign up. We know how difficult networking can be in the early days of a freelance career and want to help newcomers learn what their job options and resources are in a crowded market.

But Pneuma isn’t the only help available for self publishers. Angela Hoy at WritersWeekly also runs a self publishing company, Booklocker.com. Writersweekly and Booklocker both offer help for authors including the most helpful Whispers and Warnings section which can serve as early warning against troubled and/or unscrupulous publishing companies.

And finally, the Science Fiction Writers of America have a fascinating page about print-on-demand and self-publishing including a pros-n-cons look the issues related to publishing your own work.

With the caveat that we haven’t consumed the 9th edition of this book yet, the promise of The Art of Editing in the Age of Media Convergence is quite impressive. Over 400 pages of updated material on editing, with a look at the challenges editors face across disciplines including new media, journalism, advertising, and so much more… a comprehensive take on a variety of industries and the kinds of editing work you face in each one.

Need to anticipate the kinds of stories and editing corrections you face in online journalism, broadcast television or medical writing? The Art of Editing in the Age of Media Convergence could be the best investment you make as a new editor depending on your skill level and expertise. Want to pick an editing career path and make an informed choice? Try doing some of your research in these pages.

One new addition to this edition includes a discussion on the rise of citizen journalism and how to manage those editing challenges. Nobody could ever accuse this book of lagging behind the times. Of course, The Art of Editing is NOT cheap, but if you need the wisdom contained within, it’s an excellent investment and don’t forget that it can be used as a potential tax write-off (for professional books and materials) where appropriate. Is this required reading? We’ll get back to you on that, but signs definitely point to “yes”.

For new editors this is a great read that is full of basics, but even seasoned editors may find something new. There are examples too, which makes it even better.

Like the absolutely essential Elements of Style, the Proofreading Handbook is small, compact, and an easy read at just over 160 pages.

No, you’ll probably never need that section of typesetter’s marks, but you never know, and the existence of that section in the book shouldn’t dissuade you from taking advantage of the other solid info in these pages.

This is a serious professional manual. It’s lousy for reading on the subway, but for those who want to transition from writer to editor, it’s a good addition to the old professional library.

If you are trying to work with Microsoft Word and track changes while you edit, you may need some help. Look at the online page designed to do just that at Microsoft for some tips. This is also a great resource for writers who get documents back from an editor with suggested changes. Regardless of which side of the desk you are on, this is a resource you won’t want to be without.

That may seem fairly basic stuff, but for any writer who wants to transition into editing, this course is a good way to get into the editor mindset and think more critically about what goes onto the page. It’s also a way for new freelancers to get off on the right foot when it comes to submitting final drafts that are error-free and easy to edit.

News University offers a variety of webinars for writers and journalists–some for pay, some for free. To take advantage of the Cleaning Your Copy seminar, register at News University–it’s free.

If you are asked to follow the Chicago Manual of Style, you can either buy a copy or subscribe online. Sometimes having things at your fingertips on the web can be more convenient than looking them up in a book. Take a look and see if this type of reference works for you.

You can never have too many editing resources, but that said, this is one you don’t want to miss. Purdue Univeristy has a collection of resources called the OWL (Online Writing Lab) that is just fantastic. Look here for information on proofreading your work.

What’s the most important thing about telling a good story? Can you really boil it down to a single mechanical something? Lori’s article says no–there are a number of issues working in concert to make a story shine.

Self-editing is an important part of the process. From giving your piece the once-over to make sure you have consistent point-of-view to avoiding repetition and needless thumbnail sketches, there’s a lot you can do to tweak that creative non-fiction article.

We found a lot of good things–not just the self editing article–at Eclectics.com, but sadly this site hasn’t been updated since January. Here’s hoping it’s not dark for good…we’d like to see more like the Self Editing piece.