When it comes to starting an editorial career, patience, commitment, and effort are key factors to success.
Someone who embodies all of those things is Roberta Thorndike, a proofreader and editor who was inspired to start a business when her grandchildren were born. She wanted flexibility in her days so she could spend more time with family, and so she could care for her parents. As a result, she started to explore work-at-home options, which led her to proofreading and editing.
Roberta discovered that working in editorial was the perfect fit for her, and after graduating from my training programs, High-Level Proofreading And Copyediting Pro and The Art of Line Editing, she launched her business.
We recently sat down for a video chat, and we discussed things like:
- How she transitioned from a career in education to an editorial career
- Why she expanded her business to include line editing services
- Working in one of her niches, Christian content
- How her biz went from a side hustle to a full-time business
- What it’s like proofreading and editing for an agency
- Her best advice if you want to become a proofreader and/or editor
- How she overcomes Imposter Syndrome
- Plus lots more!
From the day Roberta joined the Edit Republic community, I have been inspired by her dedication and hard work to accomplish her goals. I hope you find her enthusiasm and positivity motivating. Enjoy watching our interview!
Feel Inspired?
If you want to learn how you can start working with words like Roberta, you can download a free copy of my eBook on freelance proofreading and copyediting. Grab Winning With Words here.
About Roberta Thorndike
Roberta lives in a suburb-farmtown crossover in Northern California with her husband and their big dog, Silas. Faith and family are her highest priorities. She began her business as a proofeading side hustle in February, 2020. In June, 2021 she hung out her shingle for her editorial business, Joyful One Editing, providing a range of services inculding proofreading, content editing, and line editing. She is a full-time freelance editor of Christian content, fiction and nonfiction, as well as children’s literature. Roberta appreciates the flexibility she has to be involved in the lives of her three grandchildren and her parents, who are in their eighties. You can connect with Roberta on Instagram, LinkedIn or via her website.
