A Run of Good Authors

[SexyGeek]

Sometimes editors sound off on this board -- yea, I have done it myself. Sometimes we just get a run of authors who take advantage of us, don't listen to friendly advice, and submit atrocities with our name on it as editor. It happens, and we sometimes complain about it.

But, on the other hand, there comes a couple of months like I have just had. I have edited about a dozen stories and in almost every cast the authors have been friendly, attentive, receptive to ideas and expressed sincere gratitude. I was happy to see an editor credit on their stories. That is the kind of thing that makes being an editor in this program rewarding.

 

[robertreams]

sexyGeek: I have had some whoppers and some really tough ones, but I have only had one writer, ever, who did not gratefully heed most of my advice. Often their praise is embarrassing. I agree it is rewarding. And also I think it is okay to bitch once in a while if the task seems arduous and pride is one's only recompense.

 

[sr71plt]

Still, if you all wish to continue enjoying the editorial experience, since you don't have the stories last before they are submitted here, I think you'd save yourself some grief by asking not to be named as the editor.

 

[_Lynn_]

Still, if you all wish to continue enjoying the editorial experience, since you don't have the stories last before they are submitted here, I think you'd save yourself some grief by asking not to be named as the editor.

I agree. Making suggestions and correcting errors on the copy we return to an author means nothing. They submit the story with whatever changes they choose . . . including some their editor might not have recommended. The final product can be messy.

 

[lovecraft68]

I agree. Making suggestions and correcting errors on the copy we return to an author means nothing. They submit the story with whatever changes they choose . . . including some their editor might not have recommended. The final product can be messy.

Its a good point, but like votes and comments is the only payment authors receive the only payment a an editor gets is an acknowledgement in the story. So whether its smart or not, most enjoy the shout out.

I ask the editor if they want me to mention them or not. One refuses, not because they don't think I'll use their suggestions but because of the content.

I have one that asks me to send them the final edit so they can proof their own work once more before I post. I figure that is a slick way of them seeing if I am doing as they suggest.

 

[_Lynn_]

Its a good point, but like votes and comments is the only payment authors receive the only payment a an editor gets is an acknowledgement in the story. So whether its smart or not, most enjoy the shout out.

I ask the editor if they want me to mention them or not. One refuses, not because they don't think I'll use their suggestions but because of the content.

I have one that asks me to send them the final edit so they can proof their own work once more before I post. I figure that is a slick way of them seeing if I am doing as they suggest.

I disagree, LC. The acknowledgement in a story isn't the only payment, especially for someone who edits more than one story for an author. Helping them improve their writing skills is far more important (or should be).

 

[SexyGeek]

Small rewards

Well, you see, I was a teacher for many years. Sometimes the frustrations are great and the rewards seem small. I said I would keep teaching as long as the rewards outweighed the frustrations.

I quit teaching three years ago.

I do get a kick out of seeing my name as editor on stories that I know I have improved. I guess I take the chance that some goofus will post a messed up story with my name as editor.

And so far I am still editing ...

There is one author who gives me credit on every chapter. At chapter two, some anonymous comment said he should get an editor. At chapter four, the same guy (I am pretty sure) posted about how much his writing had improved now that he had an editor. ;o)

Anyhow, thanks to the good ones!

Here's champagne to our real friends, and real pain to our sham friends.

 

[_Lynn_]

Well, you see, I was a teacher for many years. Sometimes the frustrations are great and the rewards seem small. I said I would keep teaching as long as the rewards outweighed the frustrations.

I quit teaching three years ago.

I do get a kick out of seeing my name as editor on stories that I know I have improved. I guess I take the chance that some goofus will post a messed up story with my name as editor.

And so far I am still editing ...

There is one author who gives me credit on every chapter. At chapter two, some anonymous comment said he should get an editor. At chapter four, the same guy (I am pretty sure) posted about how much his writing had improved now that he had an editor. ;o)

Anyhow, thanks to the good ones!

Here's champagne to our real friends, and real pain to our sham friends.

Different strokes, and all that.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Still, if you all wish to continue enjoying the editorial experience, since you don't have the stories last before they are submitted here, I think you'd save yourself some grief by asking not to be named as the editor.

I'll grant, it's a bit annoying when an author elects not to fix something I've pointed out, and the readers then comment on that same error. But so far that's been uncommon.

 

[sr71plt]

I'll grant, it's a bit annoying when an author elects not to fix something I've pointed out, and the readers then comment on that same error. But so far that's been uncommon.

I don't even look at the story after it's been posted, so I have no idea whether they've changed anything or not--and, as an editor, my job was over before they cleaned it up and posted it, so it's not something that bothers me. I ask them not to credit me, though. If I really liked the story, I'll rate it well, but I won't read it again as submitted. I won't rate it at all if I didn't like it when I edited it. (and it isn't an editor's job to work someone's elses' story until they like it.)

 

[_Lynn_]

Another comment to add to the conversation:

I don't think it matters (on Lit) so much whether the category is one I would normally read (or write), either.

If I'm looking at spelling and punctuation along with the basic flow of a story, the genre isn't an issue. I can check to be sure Bob is wearing a red shirt both when he leaves the house for work and arrives at the office. And it doesn't matter if he's straight or gay to be sure his name stays the same throughout the story.

If it's a non-human story, for example, and the author needs specifics to that category, then I'm not going to be much help. On the other hand, I've edited stories I wasn't sure about the category and found that I learned a great deal from the authors.

 

[ishtat]

I don't write myself as I have no real talent for prose. However, I enjoy editing, particularly for writers who have a story telling talent but may not be sound technically.

I have developed a small stable, originally through making detailed comments via pm. However, I have always asked for no acknowledgment at all; like Pilot I never read post edit, and I want the authors to feel entirely responsible for the final product - because they are!