| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Media Issues > Topic: What's it like to be a book editor? |
Topic: What's it like to be a book editor?
| Author | Message |
| deadbug | Posted – 1/23/2008 3:41:04 AM | show profile I may have a chance to be a travel guidebook editor (10-15 books a year). I'm coming from the Web, and long before that, magazines. I'm wondering about the pace, the day-to-day feel, etc. What's it like to be a book editor? Love, hate, etc? any thoughts welcome! |
| GrOoVaL!c!OuS | Posted – 1/23/2008 11:28:56 AM | show profile The pace in the book publishing world is a lot slower than magazines. And I imagine it's slower than the web. Working on 10-15 books a year is a good number. Not too many, not too few. You'll be sufficiently busy without feeling overburdened. The work requires a lot of autonomy, so if you thrive on that sort of thing, it can be a good fit. The thing that consistently surprises me about books is how little profit is made. Most book lose money, and a 30% return on something is considered good. But the business model has been the same for decades and everyone in the biz seems content with it. (Go figure.) If you like travel and if you like books, I say go for it. Oh, but the pay is probably gonna be less. |
| DixieDunbar | Posted – 1/23/2008 4:03:28 PM | show profile travel guidebook writing Sounds like an interesting opportunity. Good for you! I'm curious about your background. Were you editing travel on the web? Did you work for a travel mag before that? Since we're on the subject, anyone have advice on how one starts writing for guidebooks? I was a travel copywriter for years (ad sections, brochures, etc) at a big mag. Now I'm freelance and starting to write editorial. Looking for new outlets. Good luck w/ your new opportunity! |
| deadbug | Posted – 1/24/2008 9:24:03 PM | show profile | email poster Well, I tell you what, DixieDunbar -- if I get this gig, I'll get in touch and you may just be writing your first travel guidebook! :-) |
