Overview

The work of «editing» is by and large something that happens behind the scenes, noticed only when it is done badly, or not done at all. There is not much information about what editors do. The result is that editing is not often talked about in its own right – not even by the people who do it. This collection of interviews attempts to fill some of the gaps. The author, a former editor herself, interviews practitioners at the top of their game – from newspapers, magazines, broadcast news, book publishing, scholarly editing, academic publishing and digital curation. The interviewees think out loud about creativity and human judgment; what they have in common and what makes them different; how editing skills and culture can be shared; why editing continues to fascinate; and why any of this might matter.

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9781433120039

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Reviews

At last, someone has given editors their day in the sun. Greenberg's skilful interviewing brings to light this largely invisible work. She tracks editing practices across digital news, magazines, books and scholarly publishing in ways that no one else has done, always with an eye toward the historical, theoretical significance of the editing function. A lively-minded and valuable book. (John Pauly, Professor and Chair, Journalism and Media Studies, Marquette University) Greenberg's interviews succeed in giving us a privileged view of the art and business of editing, from a wide variety of perspectives. Each interview offers insights into different practices and approaches. Cumulatively - and this is the art of the interviewer, who is an experienced editor herself - they give the reader a concerted, structured and engaging understanding of this often hidden process. (Claire Squires, Professor of Publishing Studies, University of Stirling) Everyone understands what writers do. They write. But editors are a mystery. What is it they do? Editing is serious intellectual labor, a rigorous skill set borne of hard-won experience, which is why Susan Greenberg's wonderful Editors Talk About Editing is such a much-needed addition to every word-worker's library. Greenberg is a terrific interviewer, gentle and shrewd, and her conversations with editors brim with both practical advice and nuanced insights. Most important, the book reveals one of the real mysteries of the editing craft: a cast of mind animated by a genuine affinity for ideas, for language and, not least, for one's beloved writers. (David Abrahamson, The Medill School, Northwestern University)

At last, someone has given editors their day in the sun. Greenberg's skilful interviewing brings to light this largely invisible work. She tracks editing practices across digital news, magazines, books and scholarly publishing in ways that no one else has done, always with an eye toward the historical, theoretical significance of the editing function. A lively-minded and valuable book. (John Pauly, Professor and Chair, Journalism and Media Studies, Marquette University) Greenberg's interviews succeed in giving us a privileged view of the art and business of editing, from a wide variety of perspectives. Each interview offers insights into different practices and approaches. Cumulatively - and this is the art of the interviewer, who is an experienced editor herself - they give the reader a concerted, structured and engaging understanding of this often hidden process. (Claire Squires, Professor of Publishing Studies, University of Stirling) Everyone understands what writers do. They write. But editors are a mystery. What is it they do? Editing is serious intellectual labor, a rigorous skill set borne of hard-won experience, which is why Susan Greenberg's wonderful Editors Talk About Editing is such a much-needed addition to every word-worker's library. Greenberg is a terrific interviewer, gentle and shrewd, and her conversations with editors brim with both practical advice and nuanced insights. Most important, the book reveals one of the real mysteries of the editing craft: a cast of mind animated by a genuine affinity for ideas, for language and, not least, for one's beloved writers. (David Abrahamson, The Medill School, Northwestern University) At last, someone has given editors their day in the sun. Greenberg's skilful interviewing brings to light this largely invisible work. She tracks editing practices across digital news, magazines, books and scholarly publishing in ways that no one else has done, always with an eye toward the historical, theoretical significance of the editing function. A lively-minded and valuable book. (John Pauly, Professor and Chair, Journalism and Media Studies, Marquette University) Greenberg's interviews succeed in giving us a privileged view of the art and business of editing, from a wide variety of perspectives. Each interview offers insights into different practices and approaches. Cumulatively - and this is the art of the interviewer, who is an experienced editor herself - they give the reader a concerted, structured and engaging understanding of this often hidden process. (Claire Squires, Professor of Publishing Studies, University of Stirling) Everyone understands what writers do. They write. But editors are a mystery. What is it they do? Editing is serious intellectual labor, a rigorous skill set borne of hard-won experience, which is why Susan Greenberg's wonderful Editors Talk About Editing is such a much-needed addition to every word-worker's library. Greenberg is a terrific interviewer, gentle and shrewd, and her conversations with editors brim with both practical advice and nuanced insights. Most important, the book reveals one of the real mysteries of the editing craft: a cast of mind animated by a genuine affinity for ideas, for language and, not least, for one's beloved writers. (David Abrahamson, The Medill School, Northwestern University)

Author Information

Susan L. Greenberg (PhD, University College London) took up teaching and research after a long career as a writer and editor. She is Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Creative Writing at the University of Roehampton and a founding member of the International Association of Literary Journalism Studies (IALJS).

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