What does an Editor do?

The origin of the word Editor comes from the Latin edere which means to produce or publish or ‘put out’.
In terms of newspaper and magazine publishing, this has come to mean the person in charge who determines the content of the publication and its relationship with its audience. A magazine will also have a publisher who determines the advertising content, which usually contributes more revenue than the readers or subscribers who buy the product; they manage the relationship with the advertisers.
The needs of readers and advertisers may and do come into conflict.

In the publishing business, the Editor is the person who discusses a book with the author and prepares it for publication. So a good book Editor is not a fire-breathing dragon, with sharp teeth who burns or shreds a draft until they are satisfied that it is fit for publication.

The Editorial Process

Good editing means collaboration with the author. This type of Editor is a mentor and coach who ensures that authors possess and retain their confidence, clarity and commitment to write, re-draft and re-write their document so that it becomes the best it can possibly be.
Writing and producing a book is a process, where the writer, publisher and printer (or online developer) work together. The Editor is simply part of that production process.

My own experience followed this process precisely in the realisation of my recent book Feel it as a Man: a fool’s guide to relationships, thanks to Mindy Gibbins-Klein, aka the Book Midwife, Founder and Publisher at Panoma Press, and my mentor and coach.

As a freelance Editor I prefer to be involved from the start: after inspiration comes creation and planning, using mind maps – with one for the book as a whole and turning the branches of the mind map into chapters which develop a mind map of their own.

During the first draft, the author will almost certainly feel alone, unloved, and unworthy of writing the book. At that stage the Editor can become a mentor who reads sections or chapters regularly with non-critical feedback and questions; the Editor provides a reliable foil for the author’s inner critic.

The first draft leads to several redrafts, which the author can share with the Editor. When an author misuses a word or has a section which is muddled, my policy as an Editor is to suggest a re-write checking a word suggested by me and use a Thesaurus. For me it is important that authors use language which fits their own voice.

Finally there is a proofreading stage, when the text is checked again for literal errors, bad punctuation, inconsistencies and repetitions. The Editor will be involved, as will professional proofreaders in a publishing house. Proofreading is a particular form of editing with strict attention to detail, when the book is in print proof form (rather than a manuscript).
After all that come the print, the delivery and the party … before the marketing begins.

What authors say
Here are testimonials from authors who give their views on how their work was helped by my editing:-
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Suzana Nurcja, whose book title tells its own story: Hostage: Raped, Abused, Betrayed, Kipnapped, Survival.

“Nick was incredibly professional and punctual. He was very prompt and responsive to my enquiries. He did my book great justice and I am incredibly indebted for his hard work. It would be the utmost pleasure to hire him again for my second book.”

Suzana submitted her manuscript chapter by chapter. After reading of them I suggested that the most powerful introduction to her visceral book was to be found several sections into the work.

On Amazon, she has received 11 five-star reviews.

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"Having had several attempts to find someone professional (does what is required within promised time in a coherent and easy to handle manner), and erudite (knows the best use of the English language better than I do - and mine I consider to be good), I was delighted with the results of my engagement of Nick Keith as my Editor. His business name does what it says on the box: Best Business English.”


Paquita Lamacraft, author of Shrapnel free explosive growth – Dynamic insights to grow your business.

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Tip: how to find a good Editor

To get an Editor who works for you and with you, look for someone who is experienced, collaborative, encouraging, thought-provoking, consistent and creative – allowing you, the writer, to be the main creative force.

Avoid people who think like a newspaper and magazine Editor

Ask them how their editorial process works.

Then YOUR writing process will work more smoothly