What do editors do? Where do editors work? How much are editors paid? How do I get promoted? How do I prepare?

Transcription

1 An Introduction No matter what kind of editorial work you do, the job has one common trait: editing. While this seems self-explanatory, the job isn t exactly so. In this report, I will discuss the basics of editorial work, and how to prepare for such a job. I will answer large questions I have, as well as smaller questions within those. While this is beneficial for me, I m sure other prospective editors will feel the same. This report intends to discover what it means to be an editor. I will address: What do editors do? Where do editors work? How much are editors paid? How do I get promoted? How do I prepare? As a student of the Professional Writing and English programs at Michigan State University, I am extremely interested in the book publishing industry. My goals are to become a part of the business, specifically as an editor. I am using this report to show what I ve learned about editors and how I can break into the field.

2 Well, of course... Like I said, editors edit, of course. However, they also do so much more. According to The Princeton Review, editors are involved in several stages of production for printed material. They are communicating with the author from start to finish. In addition to proofreading for grammatical errors and clarity, they also work with the quality of the content, consistency with style, and offer advice for the future. Editors also meet with artists, typesetters, copy editors, marketing directors, and many others involved in the publication. So yes, editors edit but they also have a lot more say in the manuscript besides simply proofreading. On The Editor s Blog, an editor s work is described as someone who: polishes and refines, he directs the focus of the story or article or movie along a particular course. He cuts out what doesn t fit, what is unessential to the purpose of the story. He enhances the major points, drawing attention to places where the audience should focus. An editor attempts to understand the work as well as, or even better than, the author himself. The Occupational Outlook Handbook on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website says that on average, editors make about $51,470 per year. The job outlook for the next ten years is 1%, or little to no change. In 2010, the number of editing jobs was estimated at 127,000. While these numbers indicate a slow or stagnant development in editorial jobs, they are still necessary for the distribution of books, whether electronic or printed. Where can I work? While editors are typically only thought of as working in publishing houses, they are definitely not limited to this. The Editor s Blog states that editors can work for magazines, newspapers, or do their own freelance work. They can even work for online service companies. With each job comes a varying schedule. No matter where editors work, they are never simply reading and revising all day. According to A day in the life of an editor, an editor has an eventful day one that involves checking a lot of and going to multiple meetings during the day. In fact, reading and proofreading doesn t happen until later at night while she is at home. She even states that I work at home once or twice a month, or more often when our deadline for getting final manuscripts into copyediting is coming up. I ll also work late to have some quiet time to edit. So, while editors do edit, and go to work as a typical 9-to-5 schedule, they have a lot more going on in their careers. Not like you expected? Me neither. The

3 typical editorial work gets even farther from typical as promotions and different projects arrive. What are the tasks? Depending on where you work, the editorial work may change as well. There are different types of editors: editor-in-chief, managing editor, copyeditors, acquisition editors, proofreaders, etc. An editor-in-chief (or editor-in-large) determines the type of content, the look of the product, and the nature and number of stories or articles in the publication. They are responsible for the type of message their publication or publishing house will send to the public; that is represented through the writing they choose. They are also the supervisors of editors, interns, copyeditors, and others involved. A managing editor directs writers to particular stories; they may be responsible for one section and manage other editors. They are the second-in-command behind the editor-in-chief. They make sure that particular stories are covered, plan to improve editorial content, and grow circulation of the book, magazine, or newspaper. Copy editors check facts, style guides, grammar and spelling, and the layout of the piece. Apart from a general editor, a copyeditor looks over the already edited work, and then makes any other corrections that are needed. Copyeditors are a universal need in all mediums of publication, whether it be a book, magazine, newspaper, or electronic/web article or story. A developmental editor develops the book with the writer from idea to initial draft in order to meet the needs of publisher and readers. Rather than looking over for grammar, structure, and style, a developmental editor strives to help a writer with character development, thematic value, and basic logic throughout the story. A proofreader compares and proofreads the manuscript. They are one of the last steps in the process of editing, as they look over what the editors and copyeditor has done. They make sure that everything is correct digitally or in hardcopy, so that it can then be printed. What about promotions? According to Ed Advice, a plan of attack for a title increase would be to simply ask first. A boss may not be sure that you even want a promotion if you don t tell them. If your boss cannot create a new job

4 for you, the author recommends asking for a title increase to Assistant Editor. If that doesn t happen, the author then recommends that you immediately look for another job, one with better potential for promotions. In a web article titled How To Get Promoted: 9 Obvious And Often Not Practiced Tips, the author explains that there are three steps in getting promotions: plan, attitude, and action. You then have to ask yourself certain questions, starting with, Where am i, and why am i here? Before you understand where you want to go, you have to understand how you arrived at your current position. Then you have to ask yourself, Where do I want to be, and how do I want to get there? These plans help determine not only your goals for promotion, but may help you discover what expectations you have for yourself. The author also suggests to view challenges as opportunities. There are probably tons of tips out there for getting promotions, but the best advice would be to plan where you want to be, set a goal for that plan, and work more than necessary to achieve your goal. How do I prepare? Aside from the basic requirements in the Professional Writing major at MSU, a bachelor s degree will no doubt prepare any prospective editors for a job. There are three classes that are needed for those on the Writing, Editing, and Publishing track in the PW major. They are: WRA 380, Managing Large-scale Publications; WRA 370, Introduction to Grammar and Style; and WRA 470, Editing and Publishing. WRA 380 is described as, Design theory, task management research, collaborative problem-solving approaches, and team processes involved in designing and creating large-scale publications. This class will help with basic management skills in the publishing industry, and involves more of the business side of publication. WRA 370 on the PW website is said to be about, Theories, practives, and processes of grammar, style, and rhetorical issues for professional writers. As the title states, this is an intro to the track of editing and publishing. WRA 470 is, Theories, practice, and processes of editing in professional writing contexts. History and processes of the publishing industry and publishing in business, civic, and nonprofit contexts. This is the advanced classes of professional writing, and involves looking at processes that will directly help you prepare for a future job in publishing. Another especially helpful task in preparing for a publishing job is to get an internship. MSU has several helpful resources for finding one. The first is MySpartanCareer, which has all kinds of job postings and tips for finding the right job for you. The PW listserv also sends out links to job postings around MSU and around the Capitol city area. Another is helpful websites like Media Bistro and Idealist.org, which list jobs in

5 major cities across the nation. There are also resources for finding international internships, along with Study Abroad and Study Away opportunities through MSU. It is also helpful to develop strong freelance copyediting skills and possibly advertise yourself for other freelance writers who are looking for cheap editing work. That will help make yourself marketable for the potential job market awaiting after graduation. It is also important that editors should have great organizational, proofreading, copyediting, writing, and listening skills, as well as good teamwork skills, according to bookjobs.com A Conclusion Editors do a lot more than edit. They essentially take care of a product and client from beginning to end, from initial to finished draft. They also help develop a story that they don t just hope will make money, but change the world. Sounds cliché, but that s all we can hope for.

6 Bibliography A day in the life of an editor. Blue Rose Girls. Blue Rose Girls: Children s book professionals talk books (and other things). 10 August Web. 10 October < A Day in the life of a Editor. Career: Editor. TPR Education, IP Holdings, LLC, The Princeton Review. Web. 1 October < Hill, Beth. Duties of an Editor & How Editors Help Writers. The Editor s Blog. E. A. Hill, 12 February Web. 1 October < How do I get promoted? Ed Advice. Ed, Web. 1 October < Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics. United States Department of Labor. 29 March Web. 10 October < Program & Courses. MSU. Michigan State University Web. 10 October < Siang, Long Yun. How To Get Promoted: 9 Obvious And Often Not Practiced Tips. Career Success for Newbies Web. 10 October < View Jobs. Bookjobs.com. Association of American Publishers, Inc., September Web. 1 October <