Link to SfEP Home PageSfEP: society for editors and proofreaders – upholding editorial excellence

Honorary president: Judith Butcher Honorary vice-president: David Crystal OBE

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SfEP guides

Written by senior members of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders, this growing series of practical booklets focuses on copy-editing, proofreading and related fields and on how to make a living from them.

The SfEP guides are intended for copy-editors and proofreaders, both practising and potential, and for others involved in publishing in some way, including those working for companies and government agencies and departments.


  • Developing a Marketing Strategy
  • Editor and Client
  • Starting Out  NEW EDITION
  • Your House Style  NEW TITLE

    • Developing a Marketing Strategy: Cost-effective ways to market your editorial business

    Sara Hulse

    Covers objectives, developing your message, deciding on methods, building client relations and planning your strategy, plus information on websites, mailshots, networking, advertising, cold calling.

    £5.00 plus basic postage (1st or 2nd class) on a C5 sae

    Read a review


    Editor and Client: Building a professional relationship

    Anne Waddingham

    Covers self-promotion, helping the client give you a decent brief, checking the brief, assessing a job properly, estimating time and fees, negotiating successfully, getting feedback.

    £5.00 plus basic postage (1st or 2nd class) on a C5 sae

    Read a review


    Starting Out: Setting up a small business  NEW EDITION

    Valerie Rice

    '… a valuable resource for those in the early stages of setting out on their own, and would also serve as an aide memoire for anyone who does not feel totally at home with the subject.'

    £5.00 plus basic postage (1st or 2nd class) on a C5 sae
    SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW ASSOCIATES: £3.00 plus basic postage (1st or 2nd class) on a C5 sae

    Read a review of the 1st edition


    Your House Style: Styling your words for maximum impact  NEW TITLE

    Christina Thomas

    Outlines the value of a house style, shows you how to go about constructing one and alerts you to the many areas in which your documents can fall down, simply through inconsistent usage or presentation.

    £5.00 plus basic postage (1st or 2nd class) on a C5 sae

    Read a review


    Further titles are in preparation

    How to purchase SfEP guides

    For single copies, send your order to the SfEP Office, including:


    • title wanted
    • your name and the delivery address
    • a cheque (made out to 'SfEP') for £5.00
    • C5 sae with 1st- or 2nd-class (basic) postage.

    Contact the SfEP Office if you want to order more than one guide or multiple copies.