Editorial workers sign in here (even though editors aren't pedants)

[Threadworm]

There are obviously quite a few copy-editors, proofreaders and such like on Mumsnet and I thought it would be good to learn a little about what you all do.

I've put this in Pedants' Corner for want of a better place. But editors aren't really pedants, are we? I don't spend much of my time correcting authors' grammar. For a start, the rules are fluid and they are there to be broken creatively. And for another thing there are too many other editorial tasks to spend time on.

I am a freelance book editor, working on academic publications mostly aimed at higher-level undergraduates and post-graduates. As far as possible, I edit books connected with philosophy, which I studied to post-graduate level. I copy-edit the books myself and commission proofreaders and index writers.

Please tell me what you do.

[MegBusset]

I'm a production editor, so do spend much of my time correcting writers' grammar. (Or rather did, as I'm on maternity leave and currently don't have a job to go back to, as the company has sold the magazine I worked for.)

[IntergalacticWalrus]

I proof-read and write editorial for cinema/lifestyle/college magazines

The fact that I get paid to correct typos and wrtite in cohetrnt sentances is laughable really, given that I type ilke, well, a walrus.

[Threadworm]

What is the definition of a production editor, Meg? I've never been quite sure.

And Walrus, I don't think editorial workers should have to write properly on Mumsnet: it's like inviting a doctor to a party and then expecting her to dispense antibiotics there.

I am going offline to work now and will check back later.

[MegBusset]

The definition of production editor depends on the magazine, really. I've known prod eds who don't get involved in copy editing at all, just organise the deadlines, handle the print processes, that kind of thing.

I started out as a sub editor and always loved the nuts-and-bolts work of subbing, so carried on doing that even when as head of the department I could have delegated it all. So my job basically entailed sub editing (copy editing, proofing, writing heads and captions, kind of thing), managing a team of subs, organising the deadlines for all departments, dealing with the repro house, making sure we didn't get sued for libel, and dealing with just about anything else that the editor didn't have time for or couldn't be bothered with.

[edam]

I'm a freelance journalist, do some subbing and some editing. Work for magazines and newspapers but also for reports some organisation or other is publishing (print and/or online).

Used to be a magazine editor and agree with Meg, production editor can mean lots of different things ? overseeing the whole production process, dealing purely with the print process, or being in charge of subs/design/pictures and liaison with repro. And that's just in mags, dunno about book publishing.

Mind you, managing editor is an even more flexible title - can be the editor's deputy or the editor's boss, for instance.

[Scootergrrrl]

I'm an ex newspaper sub-editor, currently working for the world's crappest newspaper (and it's NOT the Daily Mail or indeed, one you'd have heard of!)
My job was pretty much like Meg's and I really loved it. I'm sad I have to work for a newspaper (it's a small publication for a community abroad) which is riddled with errors.
I might go freelance... [hmmm]

[sakurarose39]

I'm an editor/proofreader (and translator) for an environmental research institute here in Japan. Mostly checking the English documents written by non-native English speakers from all over the world...makes for some interesting reading. Some of the Japanese research, I will translate personally, but it is often sent to an agency for translation and then I have to correct it. I do some freelance stuff too - my current employers used to be freelance clients of mine, and then asked me to work in-house. V. flexible - I work 9 to 3, which fits in perfectly with DC's school day

[RosaTransylvania]

I'm a freelance journalist, I originally trained as a sub and have done most jobs on magazines - reporter, feature writer, editor. My last couple of jobs were editing specialist magazines where you get to do most things, but since having DD3 and moving to the West Country I have basically just been doing a bit of freelance feature writing here and there.

[ladymixalot]

Oh, hello you lot. I'm a freelance editor. Mainly fiction (especially thrillers, crime and so-called "women's fiction" - ewww) but the odd autobiography/biography and other non-fiction, too. In my spare time I enjoy letting my hair down on MN by failing to observe correct grammar and showing a disgraceful reluctance to proofread my own posts. That way, when I make genuine mistakes I can always claim I wasn't trying.

DH used to be a newspaper sub, so in our house the long winter evenings are mostly spent discussing punctuation.

[LyraSilvertongue]

I'm a sub editor for a national news organisation. Been doig this job for nearly eight years.
I didn't realise there were so many subs/editors on MN.

[theFlyingEvil]

how do you become a freelance proofreader? currently review books for various educational websites (for free ) but would love to do it professionally!

[Enid]

jesus I used to be a freelance proofreader, it is utterly soul destroying

if you can cope with it, try indexing. That is really hardcore

[theFlyingEvil]

is it really that bad? do you have to read really boring stuff?


what exactly is indexing?

i'm too thick to do it if i have to ask what it is, right?

[policywonk]

Oh, editorial drone here. Freelance copy editor - environment/development, history, politics. I used to be an in-house desk editor and commissioning editor, but traded it in for autonomy. I never could stand being an employee, and the flexibility will be fantastic when both DSs are at school.

Still searching for a definitive answer to the 'which/that' dilemma.

Anyone got any tips for getting new clients? I've just bought the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook and am steeling myself to start phoning around. Are any of you lot just inundated with work?

[edam]

IME freelance proofreaders tend to be poorly paid. Because book publishers know they can exploit a workforce that is largely female and desperate for work that is flexible enough to fit round family life.

The sort of indexing I've come across is someone who will work through every issue of a magazine over the past year and create an index. So you can look up, e.g. laser eye surgery and see it was covered on p12 in the April issue, p16-19 in the June issue and so on. We had someone who did this on the mag I edited but I had very little to do with it, process was already set up before I arrived.

[Hobnobfanatic]

Freelance writer and editor, too. Mainly mags and non-fiction books. Working from home, I find that MN is a terrible, terrible distraction; not to mention Scrabulous...

[Botbot]

I'm an editor too. Work in book publishing, doing mainly illustrated non-fiction - more of a project manager than a hands-on copy editor. Do a bit of commissioning too - laughably, I'm in charge of our chess list, so everyone thinks I'm a chess expert (and therefore Really Clever) when I actually haven't a clue.

Am thinking of going freelance when dd goes to school (or if I have another dc, which is up in the air at the moment) but for the moment am still enjoying office life while dd runs around at nursery.

I am an unashamed pedant though. But I know what you mean, Threadworm, about fluidity and breaking rules. It's like an artist having to know how to draw before being able to produce abstract work - it's good to know the rules before you start breaking them. If that makes sense.

Which/that kills me too, btw!

[policywonk]

I'm going to use this thread to post my next which/that dilemma and you can all adjudicate and ponce on about relative clauses.

Your work sounds like my last job Botbot - project editor at a packaging house. Doing titles like 'Feng Shui for You and Your Cat'.

[TheOldestCat]

Hallo all

Another editorial type here - I'm a plain language editor for a financial organisation. I edit copy to make sure its audience will understand it, plus do a general copy edit / proof - and I train colleagues on writing.

It's fun and keeps the wolf from the door.

'Feng Shui for You and Your Cat' does sound like more fun though!

[midnightexpress]

Hello all, I used to be an editor and then a project manager, working on dictionaries and grammars, mostly for non-native speakers of English.

Gawd, it sounds really tedious, but it actually involved some rather fancy travel every now and then.

I'm on ML at the moment, and going freelance in the New Year (if I ever get 5 minutes to put my CV together).

[Lulushmulu]

Hello everybody, good to know there are other editorial types out there! I'm an editor working for a private sector publishing company that used to be a government department. I have been in my job for 7.5 years altogether. I have been part-time since my first child was born nearly 4 years ago and am currently on maternity leave for my second - planning to go back in April next year.

Sometimes I think that part-timers get a raw deal and other times I think that I'm really lucky to have a part-time job as they are like gold dust. My manager says she can't give me any of the larger, more prestigious projects because I'm not working enough hours and can't attend meetings outside the office due to childcare commitments, so I am left with the small, bitty jobs. But to be honest I don't mind because I don't think I'd want the pressure of the important jobs and my family comes first.

I would say I enjoy my job about half the time - the rest of the time it is pretty dull. There is less and less "proper" editing (which I prefer) and more repetitive work such as styling Word documents and HTML coding. It means that you don't have to use your brain so much but you can just as easily make a mistake!

I am the second longest-serving apart in a team of 5 apart from my line manager. All the full-timers have been replaced several times in the past 7 years. My manager is constantly struggling to recruit editors and keep them.

But being part-time think I can just about cope with it. I wouldn't be able to get a better job anywhere in the town where I live and the location is ideal. Being part-time makes you less choosy, I think.

I've often thought about going freelance, but to be honest it wouldn't be practicable until both children are at school - I can't afford to pay for childcare without a firm guarantee of work.

Should I stick it out until I a) retire or b) get made redundant (the company has just been taken over)?

[RedPensAtDawn]

I'm a production editor in science publishing - I'm not on here very often but it's nice to see that there are a few of us!

[MyChemicalToilet]

I'm mainly responsible for corporate communications for a PLC, does this count? I write some copy, but also proof read a whole lot more.

I struggle to write and edit copy for our website (punchy, bite-size and engaging is the aim). Can anyone point me in the direction of helpful books or websites for writing tips please? I have a legal background, so 'punchy, bite-size and engaging' is not my strong suit...

I love this work though, which I fell into by happy accident. I've been doing it for 18 months or so.

And, I have this thing about the use of hyphens.

[Libra]

I was an editor at an educational and academic book publisher, then I was an editor at an educational magazine publisher, then I was a freelance (which I hated), and now I am a lecturer in Publishing Studies. I get to teach editorial processes to undergraduates (who loathe it) and postgraduates (who tend to enjoy it). I teach other stuff as well of course (thank goodness), like media history and women and media.

[policywonk]

MyChemicalToilet - great name

Hyphens, yes. I'm sure we could manage a whole thread about hyphens.