When we prepare articles for publication, copy editors and reviewers often highlight parts of the text that resonate with them. In this article, we’ve made a collection of a few of those great quotes. We hope you enjoy it!
Dania Sheldon, freelance editor, writer, researcher and indexer, on the deceptively simple key to being a better editor – honesty:
Resist the urge to cover up your blunders – in judgement, in editing (fess up if you missed changing “Noble” to “Nobel!”), in time management. Avoid overestimating your abilities. If your gut tells you that you’ve not done an excellent job, go through the manuscript again; don’t shrug and say it’s “good enough” if you know it isn’t. Even better, before that happens, be honest with yourself about needing a break when you can feel your concentration just isn’t there. Make a cuppa something, look up at the sky, and maybe have a wander up that grassy knoll that’s always just a stone’s throw away from your doorstep.
Patricia MacDonald, editor, on finding freelance jobs:
[O]ne thing I’ve learned as an editor is to never be afraid to ask for something you want. I’ve gotten several jobs by contacting publishing companies and asking about a specific upcoming book that I dearly wanted to work on, or asking to be considered if a book about a certain topic was ever coming down the line. It doesn’t always work, but I’ve had more hits than misses.
Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, writer and editor, on the need for proper training in editing:
The problem for today’s aspiring editors is that it’s increasingly hard to find in-house jobs working with experienced editors. In addition, the digital world, especially artificial intelligence and platforms that allow people to present themselves as editors regardless of experience or skill level, creates a greater need for such training.
Priya Murmu, writer and editor, on editing memory-based narratives:
Editing someone’s memory-based narrative is like restoring an old photo wherein the editor brings out the faces and details more clearly but does not scrub away the wear and tear that gives the story its character. These raw, emotional stories come pouring out in bits and pieces, and editors help turn them into something that truly speaks to readers. It’s not just about commas; it’s guiding writers to keep their voice, sort their tangled thoughts, and make emotions pop without losing that realness. I’ve learned to ask gentle questions like “What did that moment feel like?” to dig deeper, and I’m always careful when approaching topics like grief or identity. Trust is the key. It takes both heart and skill to help stories come alive.
Gael Spivak, communications advisor, on what she wishes she knew back when she was starting her career:
I wish I’d known how big English is and how many acceptable differences there are between various types of English. I did learn that along the way, thanks to the many generous and insightful posts from more experienced editors (on the Editors Canada email list, and then on social media). I also came across excellent advice in The Subversive Copyeditor fairly early in my editing career. Getting all that information early in my career allowed me to not become too much of a Miss Thistlebottom before I had to mend my ways.
Alicia Chantal, non-fiction copy editing, proofreading and authenticity reading specialist, on authenticity reading:
Offering authenticity reading services is an opportunity to stretch our own learning and expectations, challenge biases, and have open dialogue with clients who are also eager to learn. In my experience, people are generally open to hearing what we bring to the table, and authors and publishers ultimately have the final say over whether to take our advice. Even if some of the conversations are tough, strength comes from a commitment to keep dialogue going. Learning comes from seeking understanding. Progress comes from even small, sometimes imperceptible shifts in thought. The work authenticity readers do in collaboration with colleagues and clients can be vulnerable and challenging, but it is an important labour of love.
Authenticity reading is an extension of what editors can do, and I think it’s important to share that the work comes from an unwavering belief that what we say and how we say it, and the way people’s stories are told, matters. It’s a belief that even though we cannot guarantee perfection, we can use our expertise to help writers get their messages across in the best way possible.
Let us know in the comments which other article or words inspired you.
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