If you’re looking to become a book editor, you’ve come to the right place. Book editing is a job that requires a lot of skill and experience, but it can be a rewarding career path for those who are passionate about books.
The first step to becoming a book editor is deciding whether this is really something you want to do. It’s important to make sure that you like working with words and have an eye for detail. You need to be able to look at a piece of writing and see what needs improvement and why.
Next, it’s time to start building your resume and portfolio. This is essential when looking for work as a book editor because most employers will want to see examples of your work before hiring you. If possible, try getting some internships at publishing companies or working for free with an author or publisher who will let you help them edit their work (this could even lead into full-time employment).
You’ll also need some education on how books are made: how they’re published, what types of editors exist in the industry, etc. There are many great courses available online that teach these things; however, if money is an issue then consider taking some classes locally or through community colleges instead!
How To Become Book Editor
If you love reading and writing, you may be interested in becoming a book editor. You can choose from a few different types of book editing roles if you decide to explore this career path, all of which involve completing similar educational and professional steps. In this article, we discuss the various types of book editors and review the steps you can take if you want to become one.
Related: Reading Books for a Job
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What does a book editor do?
Book editors review manuscripts from authors and work with them to improve the style, voice, mechanics and organization of the text. Editors often work with authors who are already published or are under contract for multiple books with a publishing house. In other cases, editors work with assistants to review manuscripts and determine which have the most publishing potential. Many publishing houses have editors specifically assigned to review books at different stages of development. Here are some of the common types of editors:
Line editors
Line editors review manuscripts to consider how clearly and logically authors develop their content. They take the perspective of the intended audience and ask questions about a book’s organization to improve a writer’s argument, story or presentation of research. If needed, the line editor presents any contradictions or issues to the author to resolve them. Some line editors draft style sheets to begin finalizing a book’s format.
Developmental editors
Developmental editors review the overall structure of a book project. Sometimes, developmental editors work with authors who are just beginning to make decisions about subject matter or organization and have little actually written. In this case, developmental editors may assist authors by providing research on a topic, giving feedback about a subject’s viability in the market based on industry trends or suggesting effective outlines for the author’s work.
Copy editors
Copy editors specialize in maintaining the style of an author’s prose. They ensure the manuscript has consistent style and tone that can keep readers engaged. The responsibilities of copy editors sometimes overlap with those of line editors, as they also look for ways to improve consistency. If a book contains visuals, informative or artistic, copy editors ensure all references are correct and correspond to the text.
Related: What Does a Copy Editor Do?
Proofreaders
Proofreaders look for mistakes in the mechanics of an author’s writing or in the formatting of a manuscript. This typically means identifying any grammatical or spelling errors and confirming proper citation of all outside sources. As a book’s design is finalized, proofreaders double-check that the text follows typesetting specifications, such as font styles and sizes, throughout and that every page is free from formatting issues.
How to become an editor for books
Becoming an editor for books requires being a well-versed reader and an able writer. Here are the steps for gaining the education and work experience that you likely need to be a book editor:
1. Earn a degree in a related field
To learn the skills of book editing, consider getting a degree in English. Majors such as journalism and communications can also provide training in drafting, revising and publishing. If you’re interested in editing books on specific topics, such as biology or history, you could get your degree in that field, then minor in a writing-focused area.
Related: How To Read Critically (With Tips)
2. Seek editorial and publishing opportunities
Most colleges that offer English or journalism provide students with opportunities to develop editorial and publishing skills in literary magazines, school newspapers or internships. Taking advantage of these experiences can familiarize you with editorial work and improve your resume. Internships, in particular, allow you to network within the publishing houses you might later apply to for work. If you’ve already graduated, research online literary magazines, as they routinely recruit editors to review submissions.
3. Take additional training courses
Associations such as the American Copy Editing Society offer relatively quick training via online courses to help you understand the relationship between editors and real-world clients. Some universities grant certificates in editing for completing similar online learning sessions. Such credentials can boost your candidacy, whether you’re looking for freelance work or a salaried position. If you are unfamiliar with book editing software, research the additional computer programs you could benefit from learning.
4. Develop your portfolio
Before editing full novels or nonfiction titles, prospective book editors usually develop a portfolio consisting of smaller assignments. Entry-level book editing jobs are often competitive, so consider establishing a portfolio that includes multiple editorial assignments. You could develop an online presence with a personal website so you can highlight your qualifications, then seek freelance opportunities. You could also volunteer to edit different texts. Nonprofit organizations, for example, often look for volunteers to review their text-based materials and communications.
Related: How To Build an Online Resume Website
5. Apply for editorial assistant positions
Careers in book editing tend to follow an apprenticeship model, where assistants work alongside a more experienced book editor who can train them on their new role and also the larger publishing process. Many publishers expect you to spend at least a few years developing an understanding of how books go from unwritten ideas or manuscripts to final products. You can search for editorial assistant roles at publishing houses and academic, literary and trade presses. You can also look for roles on general job search platforms or editing- and writing-related websites.
6. Earn promotion to book editor
Once you have some industry experience, think about what type of book editor you want to be and your area of interest. Publishing houses often specialize in certain types of books, such as cookbooks, children’s books or fiction. Try to work on projects that reflect your interests to better position yourself for a full editor position.
