A person who has a book editor career usually works with a given writer throughout the entire writing process, from the conception of the idea all the way through to its final publication. Sometimes, a book editor may suggest ideas, or at the very least review a writer’s ideas, in order to see what might be possible, plausible, and interesting to readers.
Once the text is written, the editor reviews it and looks out for a variety of different things to help improve the final version. For example, a book editor is largely responsible for making sure the author’s writing flows correctly and is accurate. The book editor also checks over the ideas and arguments within the piece in order to make sure it makes sense and is grammatically correct.
One who holds a book editor job is also responsible for looking for holes in stories, which means the editor often plays devil’s advocate and asks tough questions in order to improve the author’s writing as a whole. Finally, once the writing (and rewriting) is finished, the book editor usually suggests titles for the work and oversees the publication process in its entirety.
A book editor is expected to be able to communicate logical ideas clearly, to give reasoning behind the suggestions made, and to have a broad knowledge of many different topics. Creativity and curiosity are usually characteristics treasured in an editor, as is a love for the written word. A book editor should be able to work under pressure while also having sensitivity and respect for deadlines. Finally, a book editor should have extremely well developed people skills, since such a large portion of the job is dedicated to dishing out constructive criticism. Writers need to be able to understand and grow from their editors’ suggestions.
Education and Training Needed to Be a Book Editor
Many people in this career use technology to communicate with the given writer through email, to send edited work, and to review online copy. It is important to have an understanding of how to use a variety of different forms of technology when pursuing a career as a book editor.
A degree is usually necessary in order land an editing job, with degrees in communications, journalism, and English being preferred by many employers. Some editors planning to go into specialized fields might also want to consider a degree in that field. For example, to edit fashion books, one would want to consider a second major or minor in fashion, just as an editor for books primarily about politics, government, or campaigns would be wise to consider an additional degree in political science or history. Additionally, the ability to speak a second language is extremely useful for this job, especially when working with authors whose first language is something other than English. A background in a visual art, such as web or graphic design, can also prove to be an asset to the aspiring book editor.
Going through an internship, whether paid or unpaid, can also be an extremely worthwhile experience for someone aspiring for a book editor job. Gaining experience at a college newspaper or with a community publication can give prospective editors a leg up in the competitive world of editing.
