Seeking Advice on Becoming a Book Editor

[susanka]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been a long-time book lover and am finally looking to turn my passion into a career. I’m really interested in becoming a book editor, but I’m finding the path to entry a bit overwhelming.
Does anyone here work in the industry or have experience with professional editing? I’d love to hear your advice on:

• How to build a portfolio when you’re just starting out.
  
• Are there specific skills or software programs (besides basic grammar/style guides) that are essential?
  
• How did you land your first role or freelance gig?

Any tips or resources you could point me toward would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[uliana]

That's a great goal! Honestly, breaking into editing can be a bit of a grind at the start. I’ve seen a few people mention a course from ELVTR Book Editor Course | Professional Book Editing Training | ELVTR UK which seems like it might be a decent way to get some practical skills down if you're struggling to figure out where to start. Definitely worth looking into alongside other options to see if it’s the right fit for your learning style