A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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On my back deck, I’m training two vining plants, a clematis and a honeysuckle, to climb a trellis. The other day, I noticed two tendrils stuck together. When I looked closer, I saw that a little clematis vine had wrapped itself around the honeysuckle vine beside it. I didn’t have the heart to separate them.
This struck me as a reminder: Even if two plants (or two people) are climbing in different directions, they can still support each other as they grow upward. |
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Harley supervised my plant photography session. Don’t worry, he didn’t nibble on the leaves. He’s always supervised outside, and I’m aware that honeysuckle and clematis can be toxic to dogs. |
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This is true for us as proofreaders and editors, too. We might work in different niches or serve different clients, but we can still be a source of support for each other.
Here are some simple ways to “wrap around” and support colleagues who aren’t in the exact same field as you: - Cheer on someone publicly. Leave a thoughtful comment or share their post, even if you don’t do the same type of work.
- Share helpful finds. Pass along a tip, app, or article that might make their work easier.
- Offer a listening ear. Be the one they can talk to about tricky clients or burnout without fear of judgment.
- Borrow techniques. Try a workflow or system you’ve seen someone in a different niche using. It might just fit your style too.
- Refer instead of compete. If a project isn’t a fit for you, recommend a colleague who works in that area.
Choose one idea from the list and try it this week. Then email me and let me know how it worked for you. 🪴 |
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Have you seen the latest Proof Goofs? |
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What if typos were illustrated? Proof Goofs bring that question to life, turning funny mistakes I find in my proofreading work into playful cartoons. Follow The Proofreader Greenhouse on LinkedIn or Instagram to see more. And keep an eye out: These goofs are about to take on a new form. 😉 |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently: - Editing isn't what most people think it is: Tired of being asked if you’re judging someone’s grammar? Same. Laura’s post is a humorous breakdown of what editors really do (and why it’s so much more than catching typos).
- Smarter habits for deeper work: Daphne’s post reminds us that breaking bad habits often requires more than willpower. Her examples are geared toward writers, but editors and proofreaders can borrow the same approach to protect focus and build better routines for deep work. 🎯
- The tiny inconsistencies that quietly erode trust: Dave’s post is a great reminder of the work proofreaders do every day. He shows how tiny inconsistencies in a piece of content—even when technically “correct”—can quietly undermine trust. 🔍
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I love it when plants show up in my proofreading. This one needed a tiny hyphen adjustment, though. 😊 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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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
I edit and proofread both nonfiction and fiction. My nonfiction work is mainly academic journal articles, textbooks, and curricula. My fiction editing and proofreading is a wide range: romance and Regency, mystery, thriller/true crime, contemporary popular lit, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels. I've worked on a few sci-fi and fantasy novels, and I'd like to do more!
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
Although most of my training was from a full-time publishing job, I took an AMA style course, participated in a fantasy editing webinar, and studied plain language editing.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
Proofreading is my favorite work. I adore finding that one inconsistency that everyone missed before me! I love detailed maps and graphics particularly; you can always find something hiding there. I get a rewarding feeling from proofreading that I don't always get from editing.
- What's the most challenging part of your work?
I find that staying focused when proofreading repetitive mathematical or statistical tables is incredibly challenging. I make separate passes for numbers and symbols and text so that I don't skim and miss things.
- What tip(s) can you share with other proofreaders or editors?
Perhaps this is common practice, but I stop my pass and search the entire file immediately when I see an error or inconsistency that needs adjustment across the publication. I’ve found that my work is most efficient when I take care of consistency issues right away.
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Here's a lovely Pearls and Jade pothos submitted by Leaflet subscriber Irene.
Your plant(s) could appear in future issues, too!
Email your photo(s) to julie@theproofreadergreenhouse.com (or just reply to this email and attach your photo).
I can't wait to see your plants! 🪴
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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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