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

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long hours, and sometimes very frustrating unknown authors.What is most unfortunate about this book is that it is out of date.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 Still, as a historical reference to what was happening fifteen to twenty years ago in the field, it is a pretty good read.

This book is more of an anthology than an actual "book on how to edit." However, in its breadth, I would imagine there is something for everyone who is either contemplating a career as editor (or author), or is in the learning stages in these fields. Although the book has not been revised to be more current (as I had hoped), there is a lot of useful information that could prove extremely helpful. Basically, the message is that every editor/author relationship is unique--and that no author should feel inadequate by needing/using an editor. While the author has the mind to imagine something great and put it to page (while the editor does not or cannot), the editor has the skills (and patience) and the advantage of an outsider's viewpoint to help the story connect to the reader, without losing the author's style and tone.

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.

"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.

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.

Switching from writing to editing isn't always easy, but it has been something I've always wanted to do. Now retired after 40 years in newspapers and advertising agencies, I have begun editing book manuscripts and am truly enjoying it. "Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know" is the perfect go-to resource book for me in what I want to do. I recommend it highly to anyone considering editing seriously.

Here is the ultimate guide to being an editor. Everything you ever wanted to know about the high art of editing is in this book. It is well-written and easy to read and chock full of clear ideas about right relationships of editor-to-author, editor-to-publisher, and editor-to-editor. Anyone involved in publishing at any level should have this book and read it!

If you are a writer looking to get published or someone who would love to be an editor this is the book for you. Do not be put off by the price because it is quite a "hefty" book with plenty of useful information that will help you in the long run.This is NOT a step-by-step guide about how to get an agent. However, it does go VERY throughly into the mind of what editors are looking for when choosing a book for publication. I have read several books on publishing, getting an agent etc. This is the BEST book I have read on the topic. The book consists of a collection of essays by top editors with topics such as "What Editors look for in a query letter, proposal, and manuscript," to "How books are chosen," to "The copy editor and the author."I learnt so much from reading this book. Now I know exactly what the role is of an editor, line editor and copy editor. I have a good idea of what types of books editors like to publish. Also, the book has specific chapters on the "money" aspect of publishing and why some good books don't make money. It takes you behind the scenes of the editing process. The last few chapters cover specific genres such as crime and children's literature.The book was revised in 1993 so some of the dates and "money" aspects are a little out of date. Also, the book is about the American publishing industry. HOWEVER there is so much good information and I have enjoyed reading every page! I can't emphasise how useful this book has been.

Great book! Everything I had hoped for. Great for editors or writers. A little dated in technology but is still spot on