How To Be An Editor?

aweirdassbooknerd · Post by **aweirdassbooknerd** » 01 Jun 2014, 02:15

Being an editor is like a dream come true for an avid reader like me but I'm lost as to what I should do in order to become an editor. I'll be applying for college by the end of this year and I want to study English Honors but will it bring me any closer to becoming an editor? Do I also have to take up Journalism? I've read quite a lot that a degree isn't necessary so I should I go for a degree or not ?
I have searched a lot of sites using Google but most of the are very vague. They tell you things will work out and that's a sucky advice because I'm just as lost as I was before. So can any of you people help me ?

Thank You.

Nathrad Sheare · Post by **Nathrad Sheare** » 01 Jun 2014, 07:24

Does this help?

http://www.ehow.com/how_6545552_do-beco ... itor_.html

Maybe one of these days you'll edit one of MY stories. They say a writer's skill is measured by the detail of his editor's notes. I should hope you wouldn't have to work too hard on one of my books.

All the best in your endeavors to become an editor, my fellow book nerd.

Katherine E Wall · Post by **Katherine E Wall** » 02 Jun 2014, 04:42

When I was ten, I used to circle the errors in my grandmother's home town newspaper. I have always noticed errors, worried about the way a sentence was structured, and commented on the continuity, credibility, and cohesiveness of books and articles I read. During my business years, I was the one everyone came to when something needed polishing, so when I had the opportunity to volunteer for a national (Canadian) health organization as the editor for their newsletter (16 page monthly), I jumped at the chance. Since then, I have been the managing editor of a literary magazine and now I have my own business, which includes editing. Oh, and the honours degree in English didn't hurt.

Follow your heart, and if you are a stickler for details, the job will be right for you.

aweirdassbooknerd · Post by **aweirdassbooknerd** » 02 Jun 2014, 08:03

Nathrad Sheare wrote:Does this help?

http://www.ehow.com/how_6545552_do-beco ... itor_.html

Maybe one of these days you'll edit one of MY stories. They say a writer's skill is measured by the detail of his editor's notes. I should hope you wouldn't have to work too hard on one of my books. All the best in your endeavors to become an editor, my fellow book nerd.

Thanks alot! That site did help. Although the more I read,the more daunting this job seems.
Hahaha I'd love to edit your stories! I read your reviews and I don't think I'll have to work at all! Thank you, you're the sweetest person I've met on this site.

-- 02 Jun 2014, 19:41 --

KEW wrote:When I was ten, I used to circle the errors in my grandmother's home town newspaper. I have always noticed errors, worried about the way a sentence was structured, and commented on the continuity, credibility, and cohesiveness of books and articles I read. During my business years, I was the one everyone came to when something needed polishing, so when I had the opportunity to volunteer for a national (Canadian) health organization as the editor for their newsletter (16 page monthly), I jumped at the chance. Since then, I have been the managing editor of a literary magazine and now I have my own business, which includes editing. Oh, and the honours degree in English didn't hurt.

Follow your heart, and if you are a stickler for details, the job will be right for you.

Wow. That's so great! I hope someday I'll be able to become a successful editor. I have loved books for the entirety of my life so even if I don't end up being an editor, I hope I can do something else with books. I think I'll go for English Honors. I've read that editing doesn't pay much. I'm not interested in money but I will have pay off my college loans somehow. So is it true?

Katherine E Wall · Post by **Katherine E Wall** » 02 Jun 2014, 09:36

aweirdassbooknerd wrote:
Wow. That's so great! I hope someday I'll be able to become a successful editor. I have loved books for the entirety of my life so even if I don't end up being an editor, I hope I can do something else with books. I think I'll go for English Honors. I've read that editing doesn't pay much. I'm not interested in money but I will have pay off my college loans somehow. So is it true?

As I mentioned, my first gig was volunteer, as was my position as managing editor for the literary magazine. No one seems to get rich at those places.

Since I am self-employed, I take on a lot of corporate work, and editing is only a portion of it. Companies make up the bulk of my clients and is where I make my real money. When editing for authors, I try to keep my rates just below industry standards. It does depend on how much work the manuscript needs and which type of editing they are looking for. It is my way of giving a little back to the literary world. So, for me, at least, editing fiction does not pay that well. However, I love doing it and take on my clients because I believe in them.

With the rise in self-publishing, a good editor can usually keep fairly busy. It takes some time to get established though. Investigate some of the professional associations for editors in your country. Some offer professional development courses. I suggest not bothering to sign up with any that just require a cheque (sorry, Canadian here) to become a member. There should be some checking of credentials, otherwise, anyone with enough money can buy the 'professional' designation.