How does one qualify to be a Volunteer Editor?

[bridgeburner]

What qualifications are required to become a volunteer editor and how much time is generally involved? What's the workload like? What are the hardest kinds of stories to find editors for?


Thx,

B

 

[Weird Harold]

What qualifications are required to become a volunteer editor and how much time is generally involved? What's the workload like? What are the hardest kinds of stories to find editors for?

Qualifications: The commitment to volunteer.

Time: I spent about four hours on a a typical story of around 4,000 words when I was a volunter editor. It varied a great deal on the editing needs of the story -- a simple proofreading generally took les than an hour; a detailed story edit could take eight hours or more for the same length story. Longer stories obviously take longer.

Workload: That is so variable that it's hard to predict. The year I was in the running for editor of the year, I was spending four to six hours every day editing stories and had a waiting list of stories to edit. However, I had developed a reputation as a good editor by that time and a lot of requests. I went through a long period of getting very few requests because I was near the bottom of the list. You would probably get more requests initially by being near the top of the list (although I'm not sure how current the list is or whether Laurel is even updating it regularly.)

Ultimately, the workload will depend on how good you are at editing. If you're useful, you'll develop a following; if your comments aren't useful then you won't get much work.

What stories are hardest to find editors for: I have no idea. I would guess that BDSM, Non-Consent and Fetish are among the most difficult -- BDSM and Fetish require some knowledge of the kinks involved and Non-consent is one many find objectionable.

 

[bridgeburner]

I guess it's lucky I'm a total prevert, then. ;-> I'm only offended by people who want to tell me how to think. I don't know much about poetry so I'd probably not be good other than as a spell checker on that sort of thing, but stories? sure!

I don't have anywhere near four hours a day to spend, but I could certainly spare an hour a day I would think.

I've participated a bit in critiquing stories over in....fuckety I can't remember the name of the thread, but KillerMuffin runs a couple of them I think. Anyway, I've recently gotten back involved a bit and figured the least I could do to show my support for Literotica is donate some of my time to volunteer editing.

Do I just email Laurel?

 

[Weird Harold]

Do I just email Laurel?

That's been the established procedure -- I think there's instructions onthe volunteer editor's page or FAQ's for the site.

It would probably work better to just advertise here or in the author's hangout that you're availabe as an editor. There's been a severe problem with Laurel finding enough time to manage the Volunteer Editor's list -- people clamor to get on, but don't bother with clamoring to be removed -- so the list is very out-of-date.

There are plans to automate the editor's list so editors can add and rmove themsleves and/or edit their qualifications and requirements, but they've been in the works along time with now word on any progress.

 

[bridgeburner]

Thanks so much for the info, Harold!

You're a peach!