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Artwork for Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor

Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor

Paulina Cossette
Academic Editing
Academia
Freelance Editing
Freelancing
Acadia Editing Services
Coaching
Editing
Developmental Editing
Burnout
Book Development
Entrepreneurship
Editing Workshops
Marketing
Career Transition
Academic Authors
Social Justice
Becoming an Academic Editor Or Coach
Work-Life Balance
Freelance Work
Higher Education

In 2019, I was a political science professor who was fed up with the stress and hostility of academia–not to mention the low pay. I left my tenure-track job and went from barely surviving to thriving as a freelance academic editor. Today, I own Acadia Editing Services, an editing and coaching business that brings in six figures a year.

In this podcast, I’ll discuss the challenges of academia, wha... more

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Artwork for Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor

Latest Episodes

Thousands of moms around the world are getting their PhD while juggling many (or all) of the parenting responsibilities.

In this week's episode, I spoke with Laura Vasquez Bass, of Atlantic Editorial, about how she defended her dissertation and laun... more

You keep hearing there's no editing work out there. Let me be clear: That is NOT true—and if your calendar has been empty, the problem probably isn't the market. It's that your ideal clients don't know you exist... yet.

In this episode of the Leavin... more

You've been editing for an agency since 2020, and you're still making the same 1.5 cents a word you started with.

Meanwhile you're staring down another year of barely cracking $40K for work that's eating away all of your evenings and weekends.

In ... more

After a Yale University Press internship where a supervisor told her she had "a strange brain," and six months of applications with zero interviews, Hannah Bartlett stopped trying to fit into a system that wasn't built for her.

She launched a freela... more

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Recent Guests

Hannah Bartlett
Freelance editor, proofreader, sensitivity reader; specializes in poetry and fiction; disability advocate
Editing on Most Things / Acadia Editing Services
Episode: Neurodivergent and Burnt Out? Why Freelance Editing Might Fit Your Brain Better than a 9-5 Job Does
Annie Brubaker
Editorial coach and freelancer who left academia to start Annie Brubaker, Writing Consulting
Annie Brubaker, Writing Consulting / Acadia Editing Services
Episode: 7 Clients in 12 Weeks: How Annie Left a 20-Year Teaching Career and Launched Her Editing Business
Julia Gray
Former professor in Health and Humanities, now editor
Editor at Acadia Editing Services (implied)
Episode: "I Wish I Hadn't Waited So Long": How to Build a Business With Your Academic Expertise
Inga Timmerman
Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of North Florida; Certified Financial Planner at Attainable Wealth
Attainable Wealth
Episode: The Money Stuff Nobody Tells You: What a Financial Planner Wants Academics in Business to Know
Kelly Merritt
Former professor, now freelance editor and founder of Define Your Lines
Define Your Lines / Acadia Editing Services
Episode: Rethinking Education: How to Teach Outside the Traditional Classroom
Kimberly Hale
Professor and business owner
Episode: Hosting Your First Writing Retreat? Here's Everything You Need to Know to Make It a Success
Daniel DeRock
Former assistant professor of International Political Economy; academic copy editor and coach
FlowState Editing (FlowState Editing)
Episode: "I Finally Have a Life": What One Poli Sci Professor Gained When He Gave Up Academia
Rachel LaTouche
CEO and Principal Consultant at Rare Talent Consulting
Rare Talent Consulting
Episode: Is Consulting Your Escape from Academic Burnout? What Happens When You Stop Doing Free Labor
Tory Wobber
PhD in biology from Harvard; leadership and career coach; helps PhDs transition to industry
Academic Exit / Tory Wobber Coaching
Episode: Should You Leave Academia for Industry or Business? A Path to Coaching via Data Science

Host

Paulina Cosette
Host of Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 16 ratings
  • A must-listen!

    If you’re an academic thinking about entrepreneurship, this podcast is a must-listen. Paulina and her guests offer practical, grounded strategies that are useful whether you’re just getting curious or already building your scholarpreneur path.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr_JMac
    Netherlands9 months ago
  • Great and useful podcast

    I'm glad I found this podcast. Paulina finds interesting guests, and the conversation is full of useful info for the aspiring or mid-level editor.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zachmauris
    United Statesa year ago
  • Clinician

    Very informative and interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Farybar
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Great stuff!

    These episodes are full of great content. The host knows exactly how to connect with the audience. No fluff, all good stuff! ~ Nata

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NSPhotobook
    United Statesa year ago
  • Essential Listening for Academics Ready to Go Freelance

    Paulina provides such a refreshing and practical perspective on transitioning from academia to freelancing. Her insights into the editing world, along with her honest advice, make this podcast a must-listen for anyone thinking about making the leap. She truly understands the challenges (and possibilities) of leaving academia and shares valuable strategies to build a thriving freelance career. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    emily reagan
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience notes the niche is a strong fit for those leaving academia for freelance work.
Listeners praise practical, grounded strategies for academics moving into entrepreneurship.
The host spotlights interesting guests and keeps discussions valuable for aspiring or mid-level editors.
Shows are informative and focused, with no fluff and lots of actionable takeaways.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Neurodivergent and Burnt Out? Why Freelance Editing Might Fit Your Brain Better than a 9-5 Job Does
Q: How did you approach boundaries and communication with clients to maintain sustainability?
Using explicit timelines, email templates, and client-invoice processes; avoiding constant real-time responses; offering multiple communication options; and keeping a clear boundary around when and how responses happen to protect mental health.
Can You Be a Scholar Without Academia? This Writing Coach Says Yes
Q: What made coaching more fulfilling than traditional teaching and research?
Coaching provides tangible, immediate impact on a client's life, with deeply personal shifts and direct problem-solving, which felt more meaningful than the more abstract rewards of research and standard teaching.
"It's OK to Choose Your Mental Health": One Academic's Leap into Industry and a Side Hustle
Q: What marketing approaches are working as you grow your side hustle?
Networking within the alumni and academic communities, offering workshops to departments, and using targeted, value-rich messaging help to attract clients. I've found scheduling and energy-aware planning essential to avoid burnout and maintain quality client work.
"It's OK to Choose Your Mental Health": One Academic's Leap into Industry and a Side Hustle
Q: How did you make the shift from academia to industry and leadership at Mayo Clinic?
I leveraged transferable programming and data skills from neuroscience to cardiovascular AI research, gradually taking on larger responsibilities, while also rebranding my identity to integrate teaching, editing, and coaching—ultimately blending research with practical healthcare applications.
"It's OK to Choose Your Mental Health": One Academic's Leap into Industry and a Side Hustle
Q: What was your journey like in academia and why did you decide to leave?
I originally pursued a professor track with deep interest in neuroscience and language research, but the pandemic and personal toll made me reassess priorities. I realized that moving to industry allowed me to continue research in a new context while achieving better balance and long-term happiness.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, audience-friendly show centered on academics transitioning to freelance editing, coaching, and consulting. Episodes emphasize actionable steps for pricing, niching, marketing, and client relationships, with a strong focus on human-centric service, personal branding, and sustainable business practices outside traditional academia. Notable angles include debunking burnout myths, reframing marketing as value-driven outreach, and leveraging existing scholarly skills to build high-value client engagements. The format often blends personal storytelling with concrete frameworks, guest experiences, and program promotions, making it a helpful resource for scholars exploring independent paths and for sponsors looking to reach motivated, ... more

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1. Your Words Unleashed
2. The Modern Editor - Editing Tips for Freelance Editors
3. The Daily
4. Best of Both Worlds Podcast
5. Good Hang with Amy Poehler

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this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 96 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Hannah Bartlett
2. Annie Brubaker
3. Julia Gray
4. Inga Timmerman
5. Kelly Merritt
6. Kimberly Hale
7. Daniel DeRock
8. Rachel LaTouche

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