One Wonders... do you think there should be a test for volunteer editors?

[KillerMuffin]

Before they're put on the list to make sure they can do the basics? Like a paragraph or two from a story with some obvious mistakes in it. The editor applicant could look it over and pick up the mistakes, make a comment or two, and return it to whomever.

This occurred to me not so long ago, how does anyone know I can do what I say I can? I could just be some person who wants to receive original porn in my mailbox without a lick of editing sense.

 

[Weird Harold]

You get what you pay for.

This occurred to me not so long ago, how does anyone know I can do what I say I can? I could just be some person who wants to receive original porn in my mailbox without a lick of editing sense.

Every editor on the list is worth what it costs to use their services. Some of us are a real bargain at that price.

What people need from an editor varies, and often several editors together can accomplish what one editor alone can't. The good editors like you, WhisperSecret, myself, and several others have established reputations for making stories better and explaining how it's done. Others are mainly proofreaders.

I think the only test any of us needs to take, is to reply to our e-mail when Laurel takes roll.

 

[Laurel]

One of the many things on my "boy, wouldn't that be super cool" list is the integration of the Volunteer Editors list with our database. Once that's done, lots of things will be possible...including adding a "Edited By" field in the submission form. An author could choose the name of the editor who did the work, and that story would go on the editor's "Works I've Edited" list. I also want to set up a system like eBay's so that authors could give each editor a plus or minus for each editing job, along with a short line explaining the rating ("he edited it in a timely manner and did a great job" or "he took 4 weeks to get back to me"). Editors would be able to add a one-line response to the author's comments (like you can on eBay). This, along with a more complete Editor's intro page, will help give the author an idea of what the editor is capable of.

To sign on as an editor, you'd still need to contact me so I could activate the editor portion of your member profile. After that, though, you will be able to take yourself out of the program - permanently or temporarily - at any time. I would love to be able to integrate the private messaging system into this, so that authors could send you editors messages straight from your profile. How doable this is, I'm not sure.

I'd also like to add a button on the editor's page which would allow authors to email me & let me know if an editor seems to be inactive. That way, I could contact the editor and take them out of the program if their schedules require.

I have all my editor program fantasies down in writing..now I just need to wait till out programmer has room on his plate to make it all a reality. If you have any ideas on how this could be improved, let me know!

 

[CW]

WOW Laurel,,, given it much thought have ya?

All sounds good. Perhaps it would also be possible to allow the editors to edit their comments on the editors list, say that I am tired of editing stories that all fit in the BSDM catagory. Allowing for changes in my editor description box would take me out of that catagory, for new authors at least.

Just a thought.

 

[Laurel]

Oh, absolutely...the editor's info would be much like your current member profile - you could edit your description, email, etc. at will. What do you all think about having two separate descriptions for each editor - a short one-liner that is listed next to your name on the list, and a longer (paragraphs long, if need be) describing more in detail your talents and qualifications, as well as specifically how you'd like stories to be sent to you?

 

[Weird Harold]

What do you all think about having two separate descriptions for each editor - a short one-liner that is listed next to your name on the list, and a longer (paragraphs long, if need be) describing more in detail your talents and qualifications, as well as specifically how you'd like stories to be sent to you?

Sounds like something workable to me.

You have e-mail coming your way shortly with some thoughts on rating editors.

 

[Laurel]

Sounds like something workable to me.

Of course it does, silly - it was YOUR idea in the first place, Answer Man! I just wanted to run it by the rest of these wild & crazy editor types.

You have e-mail coming your way shortly with some thoughts on rating editors.

Got it... will discuss it with Manu in the morning and get back to you.


rock on, kids

 

[Xantham]

Just wanted to put my two cents in.

I think an editor rating would be a great idea, but what prompted me to respond to this thread was the fact that I just read through all the editors' little blurbs that they write as a way of introduction.

My question is: Who is going to trust an editor who has spelling and grammatical errors in their own introduction?

Just my two cents.