A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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We celebrated Independence Day here in the U.S. yesterday, July 4. This federal holiday is often filled with parades, cookouts, and fireworks. It's also a nice break from routine. I know not all of you are based in the States, but if you celebrated, I hope it was restful and joyful. |
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I snapped this photo at C.Cups Cupcakery in Southern Pines, North Carolina, in 2024. What a funky-looking aloe! |
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When July 4 falls on a weekday, like it did this year, I donāt count it as a business day in my proofreading schedule. I let my clients know about my list of non-business days during onboarding, and I also include it in other places: (1) the rates page on my website, (2) my client portal, and (3) the Airtable form my clients use to submit projects (see screenshot below). |
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About a week before a holiday, I add a note like this āš» to my Airtable form. I set a calendar reminder to remove the message the day after the holiday. |
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Even if your work doesnāt involve tight deadlines, this might be a good time to revisit how you communicate your availability to your clients. Do you take certain holidays off, even if they fall midweek? How do you let clients know? Reply to this email and let me know. |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently: - The hidden gold in your time tracking data: As someone who tracks my proofreading time, I love how Katie breaks down the insights we can get from this dataāunderstanding true hourly rates, streamlining nonbillable tasks, and boosting feelings of accomplishment. Her post is a great reminder that time data can do more than help with invoicing. ā²ļø
- Don't let jargon muddy your message: Anisaās post reminds us that clear communication isnāt just about correct grammar and punctuation; itās about making sure the message truly connects. Her story about a recent visit to her dog's doctor shows why plain language matters in every format, especially in high-stakes fields like health and wellness. š
- The quiet power behind fast turnarounds: Dave explains what fast, high-quality editing actually requires, and as someone who often proofreads expedited projects, I found it both relatable and inspiring. Itās a great reminder that what looks effortless to clients is often powered by years of smart systems, teamwork, and trust. ā”ļø
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Hereās a friendly reminder to double-check names, places, and anything unfamiliar when youāre proofreading. Stanly County is in my own state of North Carolina, but I'd never heard of it before encountering it in a transcript I was proofreading. I'm so glad I looked it up to be sure it was spelled correctly. Catch of the Week screenshots come from my transcript proofreading. I can't change what a person said, but I can make sure words are spelled correctly and punctuation marks are in the right spots. If you're interested in learning more about transcript proofreading, I wrote an article about it here. |
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This Week's Featured Proofreader or Editor: |
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Sally from Brass Castle Arts |
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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
So far, mostly fiction and memoir. Some website content and faith-based works. A few clients are working on business books. Occasionally I proofread legal briefs, grant applications, and marketing content.
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
Wordsmithing has been a passion since my toddler days. I romped through K-12 English classes, dug deep into college courses requiring written assignments, and (post-college) enlisted in writing courses. Emerson Collegeās Professional Studies Certificate Program in Copyediting turned out to be a refresher course of my parochial school education fifty years before by dirt-poor nuns. Continuing education courses, although not all specifically related to editing, have enriched my understanding of the myriad ways we use language. Several of these ā SEO marketing, copywriting, sales copywriting, white papers ā have been through AWAI (American Writers & Artists Institute). Joan Dempseyās āSelf-Editing for Writersā course was particularly enlightening. And my nose is constantly stuck in a book on craft.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
It is endlessly fascinating to experience the clientās unique vision for his or her story, whether fiction or nonfiction. Iām privileged to help refine the native rock of that vision into a polished gem. No matter how rough the client's work, a gem has always been captured in there, the client's passion; otherwise, the client wouldn't have been driven to write it down in the first place.
- What causes you the most frustration in your work?
When I donāt know the best way to help a client. The client is frustrated, too. Itās nobodyās fault, so I donāt want friction between us. Recently I read a book about developmental editing, and although that is a very complex field I wonāt pursue, what I learned enlightened me on how my client could structure the chapters of his business book. For over a year we had struggled with this. I literally cut-&-pasted one of his chapters as a sample and it was exactly what he had been seeking. Using this model, he is now reworking his chapters for consistency.
- What tips would you like to share with other proofreaders and editors?
Most already know this intimately: Read constantly. Read books on the art and craft of writing, revision, editing, and of the elusive, intuitive intangibles of writing. Read books completely unrelated to your work to rest and refresh your mind. Read fiction and nonfiction. Read challenging books that stretch your very brain cells, even if you often lose your compass in the weeds. (āTharās gold in them thar [weedy] hills!ā)
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I spotted this Virginia creeper growing on an abandoned van this week. I love to see plants thriving in unexpected places. šŖ“ |
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Let's keep growing together! |
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7893 Old US Highway 52
Lexington, NC 27295, United States |
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