|
Author
|
Topic: Writing, Editing, Publishing... any info?
|
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 660
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted December 03, 2004 10:09 PM
 
I'm currently working on my LOL. At least I think I am! I'm going to school for English and have always loved reading and writing. I think I would like to work with writers to help them get published. Graduation is a long way off, but I like to have some idea where I'm going. So I'm throwing this out there to anyone who can give me any information about this. Are any of you involved in this field? What can I expect if I get into this? Any info would be greatly appreciated! ~Carissa IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 20956
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
|
posted December 04, 2004 09:55 AM
I'd get a book with some insider information--something like The Writer's Handbook.  ------------------
"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 660
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted December 04, 2004 04:46 PM
Thank you Randall. I'm leaning toward editing... books, maybe magazines, not real interested in newspapers. Has anyone worked with an editor before? What were his/her primary responsibilites? I've read up on editing jobs, but I suspect that real life may be a bit different. IP: Logged |
moonshine
Knowflake Posts: 301
From: UK
Registered: Oct 2004
|
posted December 05, 2004 06:32 PM
Hi! funnily enough I'm a production editor on a business magazine. Long hours and lots of pressure, but the work can be quite interesting. As a production/sub-editor, I edit copy, design and lay out the page, write the headlines and straplines, find pictures, check for libel alerts, chase the writers, chase the editors, chase the other subs, chase the ads, chase chase chase!! I also oversee the whole process from beginning to end and make sure that all the pages get to the printers on time according to the deadlines. Its hard work to put it mildly. Most of the time I also have several other magazines on the go at the same time so it gets extra complicated. But its creative, and not dull. still interested?  IP: Logged |
moonshine
Knowflake Posts: 301
From: UK
Registered: Oct 2004
|
posted December 05, 2004 06:36 PM
Oh, but its not really a job for someone who really wants to be a writer - they might get too frustrated. After doing this job for the last five years I am trying to get back into writing again as I think I have been subbing for too long! I can't really answer for books as I have never worked in book publishing, only magazines. They are a different (and bit odd) breed... IP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 660
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted December 05, 2004 09:10 PM
I'm so glad to hear from you, Moonshine! I was just in astrology reading the "Badluck" thread and saw that you were in publishing which reminded me to check on this thread. I thank you very much for your post. So you write, too? What do you write?I'd be interested in hearing more about your work...like what kind of education you needed, how hard it was to find a job, etc. With four more years of college to go, I have time yet to try to steer my course in the right direction! ~Carissa IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 982
From:
Registered: May 2004
|
posted December 06, 2004 09:21 AM
Hm, I've always wanted to be a book publisher or at least an editor (books) but I ended up a librarian.
And I'm a Sag too. Hmm...IP: Logged |
hereisgone
Knowflake Posts: 70
From: Charleston, WV
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted December 06, 2004 01:50 PM
In about 12 more years I'll probably need a book publisher, lol! I've been writing a book for the past 6 years, and have not only managed to get only to chapter 11, but have also recently decided that I don't like the first 5 or 6 chapters. At this rate, it'll get published (maybe) when I'm 90. LOL!IP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 660
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted December 06, 2004 07:48 PM
Great! I might even be graduated by then! I could be your editor! (Patience, patience, patience... GRRRRRR!) IP: Logged |
sesame
Moderator Posts: 744
From: Oz
Registered: Nov 2003
|
posted December 08, 2004 06:09 PM
A really good book to read is "The Rivan Codex" by David Eddings - it's his complete desciptions of the ten books in the Balgarida/Mallorean series. It describes so much detail concerning history, currency, clothing etc. He also talks about the writing process - he once said you should write about a million words, through them out, and start again, and you'll be on your way. hereisgone, sounds like you're almost there Dean. IP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 660
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted December 08, 2004 09:13 PM
I'll have to check this out. Thanks, Dean! (A million words?!)IP: Logged |
moonshine
Knowflake Posts: 301
From: UK
Registered: Oct 2004
|
posted December 11, 2004 06:08 AM
future_uncertain: i havent written anything in a long time, lol. I did a journalism degree at uni and when i got out i wrote a few pieces here and there at a few magazines and barely got paid for it. I worked at a charity for about a year doing PR-type work and then fell into subbing, which was my first proper, paid, journalistic job. To be honest I didnt want to do it but it was step in the right direction — and I had a lot of student/credit card debts to pay off!! Ive basically strayed from my original path, and every year i tell myself that i've got to make a move, but Ive become confortable where I am, which makes it difficult.I think its a good idea to do a post-grad journalism course, after you've done a degree in a subject you're really interested in (eg history etc). My journalism degree was pretty overrated IMO — I came away feeling like I knew a little bit about everything but nothing in any real depth, and very little actual work experience. I wish I'd done something more academic first and then specialised in journalism after. (I dunno, maybe the courses in America are better...?) I guess it doesnt really matter, as journalism/publishing is the kind of profession that people make their own way into in any way they can (unlike say, law). There are no specific rules, but having an industry-recognised qualification of some kind definitely helps).
Anyway, hope that helps! So why do you want to be an editor specifically and not a writer? IP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 660
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted December 11, 2004 08:09 PM
Actually, I do want to be a writer, but my talents aren't good enough for me to rely on. I plan to continue writing anyway, if only for myself. I also love to read and I am good at fine-tuning the works of others. If I can't be a writer, I would love to work with writers. I just love words and books in general. I thought about teaching, but the idea that few students would actually be enthusiastic depresses me. I want to work with people who want to write. And then if I come up with anything of my own, at least I'm in the right field to maybe do something about it!I thank you for your reply. Your suggestion to take journalistic courses later makes sense. Currently I am majoring in English with a focus on 20th century American literature. I love how literature reflects history... history is much more interesting and makes much more sense to me since I have developed a more literary angle on it. Anyway, I think I am going in the right direction on my LOL... I love to read, I love to write, I love to learn, and I am very enthusiastic about aspiring writers. I think it helps that I am not very ego-driven. I take most things as learning experiences. Thank you again! And thanks to all of you who have posted. I never expected to hear from this many of you! IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 20956
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
|
posted December 12, 2004 10:29 AM
 ------------------
"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
wildflwrs
Knowflake Posts: 140
From: Albuquerque
Registered: Oct 2004
|
posted April 03, 2005 11:19 PM
It seems like it would be a good idea to start writing articles for small-time publications. Anything....just get in print...and work your way up to magazines and books. I used to write for the food co-op newsletter...things on health, healing, and nutrition. I was a journalism major...came close to finishing my bachelor's but I became ill. Now, only thing I really write is my journal...but I believe when the time is write I'll sit down and write. If you write about your life and see what issues have emerged and then research those things and write about them....you'll combine subjective experience with objective information. Just something you can sink your teeth into will work. All the best to you.IP: Logged |
Lindaland
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
