Freelancers love to grouse about bad editors. But good editors are a treasure. Here are my top 10 qualities of a good editor:
1. Has some sense of business etiquette, so they call or email about your story pitches or edits in a timely fashion.
2. Is organized, so they can keep track of multiple writers working on multiple stories for multiple issues without constantly acting like the world’s about to end.
3. Has a solid grasp of their publication or their particular department, so they can explain why a pitch is or isn’t a good fit, and if it’s the latter, make suggestions for changes that would bring it on target.
4. Suggests sources for stories or makes themselves available for brainstorming sessions if you’re stuck on where to find them.
5. Has solid self esteem, so they don’t feel the need to put their hands all over your copy if it’s good enough as is.
6. Is a prudent copywriter, so whatever work they do to your copy makes it even better.
7. Isn’t a raging egotist, so they relate to writers as equals, not underlings.
8. Doesn’t change their mind and want to a different angle for your story after it’s in and done.
9. Follows through on promises (and contracts), so you get paid what and when you’re supposed to.
10. Shows their appreciation, by occasionally – or in some wonderful cases – regularly giving you assignments.
What qualities would you add?
[...] Top 10 qualities of a good editor [...]
I love these, Michelle. I might add “Fights for higher pay for writers.”
Very true. I would add that a truly great editor sets realistic expectations. If she approaches you on the Friday before a three day weekend, then it will be tough to find sources for interviews that afternoon (funny how that works, isn’t it?) and she should give you a reasonable deadline that allows for that. She should also respect your time off and understand that even freelancers need a vacation every once in a while.
Great points Paula and Susan, thanks.
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[...] tokens of their appreciation for the work that came their way during the year. I think a card to the editors you worked with this year with a heart-felt expression of thanks works just as well. And if you’re trying to go green [...]
can an editor have other qualities as an eye for detailed person because he needs to be careful in the editorial works he will be doing
A good editor does not allow her likes and dislikes to come in the way of editing i. e. she remains unbiased.
A good editor helps the writer to bring writer’s story to life on the page. She must not interfere in the story or the plot. For example, I wrote a story about an Irish man and approached an editor. Her first comment was ‘I hate Irishmen. Why don’t you write about Indians?’ Her job should have been to guide me to write what I wrote to make it sound authentic.
In my experience some female editors (most editors are female by the way) are also fanatic feminists. They are too hard on you just because you happen to be male.