Interview conducted by Keith Goddard.
A career as an editor is often a solo adventure, especially if you’re a freelancer. So, we thought one way to better connect with fellow editors was to ask them the Five Ws: who, what, where, when, and why. Read on for some thought-provoking, enlightening tidbits from those of us who choose to work with words to earn our keep.
Please tell us a little about yourself, the kind of work you do (and where you live), and how long you’ve been an editor.
I’ve been an editor in Toronto for 30 years. For the past five years, I have been the managing editor at AME Learning, a small publisher of accounting texts and courseware. In this case, “managing editor” means that I am developmental editor, copy editor, proofreader, and production coordinator all rolled into one. Before that, I was at Pearson for 25 years. At the end of that period, I was the manager of content development and editorial standards for the Higher Education division. But my first job there was as editorial assistant in the French department, and then I spent many years as developmental editor in Higher Education before becoming a manager. While at Pearson, I was fortunate to receive specialized training in accessibility, and I have been able to share that by holding training for others (including webinars available through Editors Canada).
Who: If you could edit one famous author, living or dead, who would it be?
This is a tough question! Since all my experience is in educational publishing, I feel completely unqualified to edit famous authors. Two novelists come to mind though, for different reasons. First, Salman Rushdie, because it would be fascinating to gain insight into his imagination. Second, John Banville, because I would like to learn how he manages to choose exactly the right word and make it seem entirely natural.
What: What is the one thing that has helped you the most in your career as an editor?
My willingness to learn (and therefore to admit what I don’t know) has been important throughout my career. I have worked in disciplines including accounting, business, mathematics, and social sciences—none of which relate to my university education (English and French literature, and piano). Over the years, I had the opportunity to interact closely with knowledgeable colleagues in production and acquisitions; what I learned from them about different aspects of publishing helped make me a better editor. It seems that my next challenge will be to put aside my reluctance and learn about how AI can be used effectively in educational publishing.
Where: If you could work anywhere in the world as an editor, where would that be?
My first impulse is to say, “in a cabin in the woods.” But in a profession that can be so solitary, I really do need opportunities to engage with the world. So, I’ll say Berlin, a city that has a lot of good energy and an interesting arts scene.
When: Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously questioned your career choice?
I’ve never regretted becoming an editor. I’m happy to be back doing more hands-on editing after years in a management role.
Why: Why did you choose to become an editor? Or, should we ask: Why did editing choose you?
Do I even need to say I love books? In my mid-teens, I wanted to be Margaret Atwood. By the time I got to university, I understood that was unrealistic but thought I’d like to at least work with people like her. After managing a bookshop for several years, I decided to find a publishing job. I ended up in educational publishing simply because it was the first opportunity that came up, but after the first few years, I realized I wanted to stay there.
And, of course, we just had to ask the inevitable how: How would you sum up your motto?
It’s not exactly a motto, but I often tell both authors and new editors that the role of an editor (at least in educational publishing) is to be an “educated layperson.” That is, if I can’t understand the content, then the intended audience won’t either.
Keith Goddard is the editor-in-chief of BoldFace.
This article was copy edited by Katherine Morton (MBA, BA), a Certified Copy Editor with global clients.
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