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

How to join the SfEP

Who can join the SfEP?

The SfEP is a professional society for employed and self-employed copy-editors and proofreaders. Desk editors, project managers and other editorial professionals are particularly encouraged to join the Society, and we also welcome anyone who is simply interested in editing and proofreading.

Below you'll find the joining process for individuals.

In addition, we encourage organisations to join the SfEP as corporate subscribers. See the Corporate subscribers section for a full description of the benefits and for information on how to join.

Will I be an associate or a member?

All new entrants to the SfEP join as associates. If you have the relevant qualifications and experience, you can then apply to upgrade to ordinary or advanced membership. See our membership structure for full details.

Student associates

If you're studying full-time on a relevant course, you can join the SfEP as a 'student associate' without having to pay the usual processing fee.

You must be taking a specifically publishing-related course or hoping to use your degree subject – for example, law, science, languages – as a specialism in editorial work. (Please note that the waiving of the processing fee does not apply to individuals taking one-day, part-time or distance-learning courses.)

On the online joining form, you'll be asked to give the name of the institution where you're studying and your graduation year. You'll have to pay the processing fee, but once your course has been approved for qualification, it will be reimbursed.

How much does it cost to join?

Everyone joins the SfEP initially as an associate and will pay the subscription for that grade of membership. In addition, all those joining (except students) must pay a one-off processing fee.

Current subscriptions and processing fees (2012/13)

• Annual subscription for associates: £95
• Processing fee for UK applicants: £30
• Processing fee for applicants in other countries: £35.

If you join between 1 January and 29 February 2012, you'll pay the full 2012/13 subscription, plus the processing fee. However, you won't have to make any further payments until 1 March 2013, so getting a subscription lasting 14 months for the price of 12.

If you join between 1 September 2012 and December 2012 inclusive, you'll pay a half-year subscription of £47.50, plus the processing fee. You'll then pay the full rate at the SfEP's annual renewal on 1 March 2013.

Paying with a credit card will attract a £3 handling charge. There's no handling charge when paying with a debit card.

Please note: All subscriptions are non-refundable.

How do I apply to join?

If you're interested in joining the SfEP, please go to the online application form.

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