Editors

What does a professional in this career do?

In this job you will...

• Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
• Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
• Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
• Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
• Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
• Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
• Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
• Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
• Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
• Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
• Review and approve proofs submitted by composing room prior to publication production.
• Assign topics, events and stories to individual writers or reporters for coverage.
• Meet frequently with artists, typesetters, layout personnel, marketing directors, and production managers to discuss projects and resolve problems.
• Monitor news-gathering operations to ensure utilization of all news sources, such as press releases, telephone contacts, radio, television, wire services, and other reporters.
• Select local, state, national, and international news items received from wire services, based on assessment of items' significance and interest value.
• Allocate print space for story text, photos, and illustrations according to space parameters and copy significance, using knowledge of layout principles.
• Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to the publisher.
• Direct the policies and departments of newspapers, magazines and other publishing establishments.
• Arrange for copyright permissions.
• Interview and hire writers and reporters or negotiate contracts, royalties, and payments for authors or freelancers.
• Read material to determine index items and arrange them alphabetically or topically, indicating page or chapter location.