Should an editor get a byline

[Hudson]

Hi all
I have a question to ask

If I write a story and then give it to someone to edit and when the story is edited, you go great thats exactly how it should be, then you publish the story, is it etiquette to give the editor credit?

I guess what I am saying is that sometimes when I have a story edited it comes back with punctuation and gramatical errors etc fixed, and even though the original story idea is mine, I sometimes feel that the story would be worth nothing unless the edit had taken place , hence I feel guilty submitting, even though it is my story.

So in saying this is an editor the vehicle to writers that are in experienced but have the imagination to help them learn and make the story readable.

thanks
Hudson

 

[Weird Harold]

If I write a story and then give it to someone to edit and when the story is edited, you go great thats exactly how it should be, then you publish the story, is it etiquette to give the editor credit?

Negotiate with your editor what acknowledgement they're comfortable with.

Some editors don't want any credit, while others might want something approaching co-author status.

If you feel that your editor(s) made the story what it is, then an author's note at the end of the story thanking your editor is appropriate, even if they don't want their name mentioned.

 

[KillerMuffin]

When I did editing, I preferred to not be mentioned by the author. The thanks I got when he or she emailed me was plenty.

Of course, I generally dislike author's notes in the body of a Lit story. Most of them are completely redundant, like "this is a story for adults." Hello. You're on a porn site. We knew that.

As your editor. Chances are the recognition isn't necessary.

 

[snooper]

Acknowledgement

Not for me, thanks. Last time I was cited as an editor, I was inundated (well a dozen or so) with stories which I had not agreed to edit and some of these were soon followed by angry demands as to why I hadn't already edited them.

<Hides light under nearest bushel>

 

[Jan_Comenius]

I wouldn't want credit in a billion years.

You might want to look up and read an essay by a guy called Michel Foucault entitled, "What is an Author?" if you have any more questions about why it's OK to take credit for a story and let an editor hide in the background.

 

[hiddenself]

Re: Re: Should an editor get a byline

If you feel that your editor(s) made the story what it is, then an author's note at the end of the story thanking your editor is appropriate, even if they don't want their name mentioned.

Even if the editor does NOT want to be acknowledged?!

That's kinda rude, isn't it? And a great way to motivate him/her to edit for you again.

I typically request that I be left out of any "acknowledgements."

 

[Omni]

So you all would take offense if someone simply said, Thank you to my editor?? (no name) Which is how I took, Weird Harold's post.

Actually, I am wondering if it is the name mentioned as opposed to no name mentioned, because editing is hard work and people should want to acknowledge it, even besides a thank you email and maybe in a way to promote the use of them on this site?

Maybe, I get this from main stream books. They all thank their editors and lots without names.



Come on............


Omni

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Re: Re: Should an editor get a byline

Even if the editor does NOT want to be acknowledged?!

That's kinda rude, isn't it? And a great way to motivate him/her to edit for you again.

I typically request that I be left out of any "acknowledgements."

Omni correctly interpreted what I meant.

"I'd like to thank my editor, who wishes to remain anonymous, for making this story what it is. If you liked it, it's probably her fault; If you didn't, it's definitely my fault."


It's more a matter of acknowledging that I'm nothing without a good editor than it is giving credit to a specific editor.