02-05-04 - 7:03 p.m.

I applied for one of my two local copyediting options today, and boy, is that a load off my shoulders. It wasn't the application that was the hard part. It was trying to come up with a convincing resume and cover letter for a field I have no experience in. But I'm over the hump, so the rest should be a lot easier. I just found out that Encyclopaedia Britannica also has a copyediting position open. They just posted it yesterday at a site for copyeditors. Yes, they have such things. There's even a society for indexers that publishes a journal. I don't know what indexers have to talk about when they get together, but apparently it's enough to justify a journal.

My friend who works at Crossway wrote me a nice e-mail. I asked her if she wanted to be one of my references and told her I would show her some of my writing. She said she would, and then about the writing, "Probably a good idea. I have every confidence that you'll be too good for the job already, but it doesn't hurt to actually have read something that you've done. :)" That made me feel so much better. My lack of self-confidence is a marvel. I just kept reading that statement over and over throughout my two remaining hours at work.

Contrast this with what one of my supervisors told me today about his friend the editor who is now working security because of the current publishing market. Hmph, nay-sayers. His point was valid, though. You should have something to fall back on, which in this case was my current job. They've requested that it be made full-time, which is nice. That will make it easier for them to hire someone, too, if I successfully leave.

So I'm feeling decent about my chances. Maybe the Crossway people will be blown away by my many qualifications, dispense with the interviews, and just hire me on the spot! Yes, that's probably what'll happen. I'll let you know.