Additional Information
Book editing is a very competitive line of work, so the more education
you have, the better.
A degree in English and a strong background in literature are necessary,
says Florida-based freelance book editor Laurie Rosin. Degrees in communications
are also common for book editors.
"It's a very competitive field, so as much preparation as possible is desirable,"
she says. "A prospective editor should be a voracious reader -- as a kid,
I used to read the back of cereal boxes while I ate breakfast, and I always
had my nose in a book. I suggest reading the classics as well as contemporary
best sellers. You must be an expert in editing, as well as a careful reader."
Work experience also helps. Opportunities like apprenticeships or internships
can help you gain experience.
Ben Schafer, executive editor for a New York publishing company, says that
you have to start at the bottom and put in your time to get to the top. He's
been editing for 17 years and says it can take a long time to advance in the
field.
"I worked for a writer who
had a small staff managing his life, travels and reading engagements, and
kind of segued into book publishing from there," he says. "I worked at a small
independent publisher first, then in a big publisher's publicity department,
then in children's editorial, eventually switching to 'adult' editorial within
the company."
Carol Gaskin owns her own editing business in Florida. She says that there
is no one easy way to becoming a book editor, and she doesn't know anyone
who started out as a book editor. Most worked their way into the position.
"Editors who specialize in a certain field -- medicine, business or sports,
for example -- have a background in that area," she says. "You have to learn
your craft -- in writing either fiction, non-fiction or both -- and you need
to learn how the publishing industry works. There's no single path."