I’ve talked the talk.
Now it’s time to walk the walk.
After preaching to everyone who visits here about the need to innovate during an era of unprecedented industry change and try new things, I’ve taken my own advice and accepted an assignment to do something I’ve never done before.
What will I be doing?
Here’s a hint:
You know all those things I’ve written about editors – what makes a good one, how to tell a bad one when you see them, how to pitch, how to keep them updated on what you’re doing?
Well, I’ll be taking my own advice as, like Alice, I go through the looking glass and say goodbye freelance writer, hello freelance editor.
I’ll save all the details for another day. But generally speaking, I’ll be helping bring an online-based project from concept to launch, including mapping out timelines and editorial calendars, securing writers, lining up assignments, editing copy and working with what seems like an enormous team.
Am I excited? Of course.
Am I nervous? Of course.
I’ve worked as a business publication editor before, but it’s been awhile. In fact, it was so long ago the publication I was responsible for came out once a month, in print and the Internet was still a twinkle in ARPANET’s eye. In those days, marketing a publication consisted of printing extra copies to take to conventions and trade shows. This project will live online, and once we’re live we’ll let the world know through Twitter and Digg. Times, they are a changing indeed.
I’m not saying goodbye to writing altogether, especially not here. But it’s going to feel good to exercise a few different creative muscles for the time being.
Wish me luck!
Congratulations on and good luck with this new project! Sometimes, I think that those of us who have experience on both sides of the fence have it easiest. We know how to make editors’ lives easier. We know how to make freelancers happy. This project is perfect for you!
I’m actually in the running for a part-time assistant editor gig as well, for a web magazine. It would require me to be on-site 25 hours a week, which would be quite the lifestyle change. But the regular income, the community of staffers, and the challenges the job would provide me with were too tempting to ignore.
Best of luck Michelle. You’ll do great, I have no doubt. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your new gig and frequent updates.
Congratulations! This sounds great – lots of fun, too. I do a lot of freelance editing and love it. I’ve found it’s made me a better writer and helped me understand the voices of others – individuals, clients, etc.
Thanks Meredith. Recently I’d been telling family and friends how much I’d been missing being part of a team and then this dropped in my lap, so the timing was perfect. We’re off to a good start but there are many weeks to go before we have a finished product, hopefully it’ll be more smooth sailing than stormy waters.
You go, girl!
Go get ‘em, Michelle! And congrats. Sounds like a great project.