[Stylist] Becoming a book editor

Wed May 22 00:49:00 UTC 2019

Vegas, I will give you the council that I gave to all of my university
students over the years.
Figure out what you love most. What do you do in your dreams?  What do you
think about day and night?
Those things are your passion - follow that path. Seek excellence in all you
do. Never settle for less than excellent
Never have a Plan B for anything in your life.
Set your course for Plan A, and stay focused and see it through.
People who have a Plan B always end up living a Plan B for their life.
Follow what is in your gut - for that is where your intuition and your
passion are located.
This is the advice I give anyone at any age.
There is nothing I have seen that is more sorrowful, than living a Plan B
for your life. 
Lynda

-----Original Message-----
From: Stylist <stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Vejas Vasiliauskas
via Stylist
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 6:59 PM
To: Writers' Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Vejas Vasiliauskas <alpineimagination at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Stylist] Becoming a book editor

Hi Bridgit and Chris,
Thank you both for taking the time to give such thorough responses. I will
keep your comments in mind.
Thanks,
Vejas

> On 20 May 2019, at 14:56, Chris Kuell via Stylist <stylist at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> Vejas,
> 
> I think Bridgit gave you an excellent answer, and I have little to 
> add. I've been editing for pay for 10 years now, and enjoy it 
> tremendously, but can't feed my family on what I make. And I spent 
> many years critiquing, reading, and editing before I even considered
asking anyone for money.
> 
> Good luck,
> 
> Chris
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit 
> Kuenning-Pollpeter via Stylist
> Sent: Monday, May 20, 2019 3:03 PM
> To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: Re: [Stylist] Becoming a book editor
> 
> Vejas,
> 
> If your goal is to become a book editor, it's totally doable, but it 
> will require a lot of time working towards it. One doesn't just become 
> an editor, whether for books or magazines. Typically, you need a 
> degree, usually in English and/or writing, and most have MFAs also, 
> but not always. Then, you usually need to do at least one internship with
a publisher of some kind.
> After all this, you will still likely spend years as a copy editor 
> then move up to a junior editor before becoming a senior editor. It's 
> a tough, competitive field. But you are the determined, hard-working 
> kind of person who can do it if this is what you want.
> 
> Of course, you can find independent means of editing. Creating your 
> own editing business and doing it independently, but I don't know 
> anyone who does this and is able to make their living solely from doing
it.
> 
> I know a lot of editors and have worked with a lot of editors. They 
> all say it's a difficult field to break into, especially these days, 
> and it can be cut-throat. It all depends on how much you want it, and 
> if you're willing to put the years of work in. Because, again, it's 
> not like other employment options where you immediately begin doing 
> that particular job. To be honest, you may even spend time doing 
> glorified receptionist work before getting to do any editing. Again, all
depends on how much you want to do it.
> 
> The only exceptions I know of about people becoming editors for 
> companies quickly are those who have published a couple of books, and 
> most also teach at the collegiate level. They have a slightly easier 
> time becoming literary editors, but often, they are sought out, not 
> necessarily applying for a position.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stylist <stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Vejas 
> Vasiliauskas via Stylist
> Sent: Monday, May 20, 2019 1:25 PM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Vejas Vasiliauskas <alpineimagination at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Stylist] Becoming a book editor
> 
> Hi all,
> I have really enjoyed being on this list, and appreciated the feedback 
> I have been given over the years to improve my writing.
> I have one more year of college as an English major to go, and have 
> been exploring career options. My involvement with jury duty last year 
> prompted me to get a legal internship this summer, which starts next week.
> I am doing very well in school, but as I have continued with my 
> English classes, I've realized that, while I enjoy reading and love 
> investing time in the creative activities I have completed, I have 
> little interest in writing essays, and even less interest in research 
> papers. That would make becoming an English teacher rather difficult.
> I am considering the possibility of becoming an editor. The job 
> outlook looks OK, but I wanted to hear from others about the 
> advantages and drawbacks of editing for a living.
> Thank you all for your time.
> Sincerely,
> Vejas
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://writers.nfb.org/
> Stylist mailing list
> Stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter%40gma
> il.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://writers.nfb.org/
> Stylist mailing list
> Stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/ckuell%40comcast.
> net
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://writers.nfb.org/
> Stylist mailing list
> Stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/alpineimagination
> %40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://writers.nfb.org/
Stylist mailing list
Stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet
.net