Volunteer Editoring gone awry

[KillerMuffin]

Came up with that title all by myself too!

On the Author's board a writer has posted a lament that the volunteer editors, two of them, never responded. It's been two months now.

You know, it's pretty rude to do that. I realize that volunteer editing is strictly volunteer, but have some manners. If you're not going to edit, email Laurel at the least, or post something in the board so your name can be removed.

Maybe a nice form email to all the editors on the list to find any dead email boxes, editors that don't respond, or something to clean the page out of people who just don't feel like doing it anymore.

 

[HSWriter]

KM - This has also happened to me.. Some editors are either to busy, or don't care.. or something along those lines... I agree that this needs to be fixed...

 

[CRaZy]

In the past 6 months I have received emails with attachments for editing but they had viruses on them and my system immediately wiped them. It was about the time Outlook Express had the worm virus. There was no way I could respond in that circumstance because my software deletes everything. Perhaps this has happened to others.

I always send an email saying how long it will take me and acknowledging that I received the story. Perhaps this could be policy. That way, if the writer doesn't receive an acknowledgement email, they know something has gone awry.

[Edited by CRaZy on 01-26-2001 at 04:49 AM]

 

[Closet Desire]

I don't do volunteer editing...

...because I really don't have the time and don't want to drag people along. (okay...seriously...I hate editing) I know the editors I have "met" on here take it very seriously so it's a real smear when others give them a bad rap.

Perhaps simple "code of ethics" is in order?

1) Editors will reply to requests within 48 hours either accepting or declining.

2) Editors will reply within 10 days if the job will take longer and advise an estimated return date?

I don't have a feel for what you guys do or how long it realistically takes, but I hope most folks have reason to feel grateful rather than annoyed by the few who are rude.

I will say that the few editing jobs I did accept were also riddled with viruses. Some I could clean up, but others were "terminal". Not a good way to begin an author/editor relationship!

 

[Laurel]

Hi all...

Today I'm adding a bunch of new editors to the list, many of whom have professional or semiprofessional editing experience and all of whom are ready & willing to edit your stuff asap.

Later today I will be sending out a bulk email to ALL the old editors. Those who do not respond within a week will be removed.

I'm trying to work out a system in which editors receive feedback points & comments from the writers - a la eBay - so that authors looking for editors will have more to go on. Obviously, this is pretty complicated both technically and logistically, but it's in the works.

If you write an editor and they either do not respond or take MUCH longer than they said, PLEASE let me know.