Customer Reviews

Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know About What Editors Do

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I highly recommend this book for writers as well as for potential editors. It is a collection of essays by well known editors discussing their craft and the inner-workings of a publishing house.

For writers, this book will clear up some misconceptions on what an editor can, and can not, do for you. It lets you know what many editors are looking for, and explains the various kinds of editing. I would recommend Scott Walker's essay on small presses. After reading this, you should take a long look at which house you wish to publish your manuscript.

For potential editors, this book will give you a better view of the different kinds of editing and the way the editing world is changing. Above all else, I would read John Paine's essay on the reasonable suggestion. This will put things into perspective.

Again, I would highly recommend this book.

This book is a series of some three dozen essays written by prominent editors on various aspects of editing. Their reflections range from the thoughtful to the occasionally lighthearted-comments on what makes a successful editor, the history of editing in America, the ethical and moral dimensions of editing, how books are chosen, how editors schedule their work, the editor as negotiator, copy editing, line editing, etc. There are also a number of essays about editing various genres of writing: Christian literature, crime fiction, children's books, mass-market paperbacks, fantasy, reference, romance, and so forth.
While the title of the book indicates that it is written for writers, it is every bit as useful, if not more so, for aspiring editors. Yes, it is a great help for writers who want to work with editors. But there are too few books on the craft of editing. This one will give you an excellent introduction to the subject. Coming from thirty-some authors, it will give you a balanced view of how to be a great editor.

If you are going into editing as a profession, it's a good idea to get information from people who have been around the profession for a while. The editors represented in this book are honest--editing is not all champaigne and caviar lunches with the most famous authors in the land. Editing is a job filled with politics, long hours, and sometimes very frustrating unknown authors.

What is most unfortunate about this book is that it is out of date. The last edition was created in 1995. At that point in time the publishing community was in turmoil. Many of the older publishing houses were being devoured by corporated entities that were more focused on making money than making intelligent literature. The overall sense given by the book is that the publishing field is doomed, and that true editing was being replaced by marketing strategies.

Much of this changed as the Internet took hold. Smaller publishers suddenly became important again, and the rise of on-demand publishing changed the entire publishing atmosphere. It would be nice to see a new edition featuring editors from this new wave of publishing. Still, as a historical reference to what was happening fifteen to twenty years ago in the field, it is a pretty good read.

Every published author and wannabe writer should read this book to understand what really happens behind the publishers door. It will help you get published and understand why your great american novel received a postcard rejection slip. I should know: I'm a developmental editor for Tarcher/Putnam books. It even helped me to get my own books published. Read it or weep!

Editors on Editing is a must have reference for writers as well as to-be editors. It is a collection of real stories that teach you and make you think about the editorial world from every angle and in every step of production. It is especially helpful for new editors and people looking to get into editing. It will definitely answer a lot of your questions and will dispell many myths.

This what I didn't have studying English at Illinois State University... "Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know About What Editors Do."

So we studied reading the poets, and writing essays, and all that. But we had no idea what to do afterwards.

What do editors do? How can I, as a writer, meet their needs?

"Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know About What Editors Do" provides the nitty gritty low-down. These aren't secrets, but you do need to know these things.

It is more than about publishing as a job, but an examination of the sorts of things which matter to an editor. Want to get your stuff past the slush pile, or work long-term with an editor. Here's how.

I fully recommend "Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know About What Editors Do."

Anthony Trendl

This is a fabulous book for editors and writers. I decided to read this book because I simply want to be an exceptional editor and I want to help the writers I work with be exceptional writers. This book has opened up my mind to a vast world of publishing and how it all relates to me right here, in this niche, in this city, in this company. With its strong historical perspective and how it fits in and defines the ever-changing book industry, this book is timeless. I admit that I may live in an editorial bubble and never learned anything like this in college as an English major, but it is so wonderful to see what I do with passion every day described with such deliberate and caring intricacy as what was compiled here in this work. The essays by the industry's top editors and agents are impressive. I consider this a must read for serious literary professionals.

"Editors on Editing" is a compilation of essays that extensively cover the theory behind editing, the ethical and moral dimensions of editing, and a glimpse into what goes into the decisions and editor makes.

The bulk of the material addresses the practice of editing. Well known experts on writing, editors, and publishers are among the contributors, on a myriad of subjects, on writing, editing, dealing with a diverse cross section of genres.

Dramatic changes have evolved over the years since this third edition was published. By comparison changes today are evolving at an unbelievable pace. The basic principals of good writing continue to determine readership, regardless of the medium. For this reason "Editors on Editing" is still an important resource for aspiring and seasoned writers in today's market.

Find out what editors do, what they're looking for. It's good, comprehensive. Check out the table of contents and see if it will help you.

"Editors on Editing" contains very helpful - and often funny - essays from top Publishing industry people. It is a great read for anyone interested in jumping into the Publishing world. Essays about proofreading, copyediting, acquiring books, and writing editorial critiques are just some of the things this book has to offer.