The Author's Words and the Editor's Pen: A Self-Study in Editorial Decision Making

The Author's Words and the Editor's Pen: A Self-Study in Editorial Decision Making

Presenter(s)

Margaret Mary Cahill

Description

This study investigates the practices that professional book editors use when evaluating manuscripts for publication. Specifically, I ask: 1) Which edits are the most essential to the overall development of a text? and 2) How does the editor serve as the bridge between writer and reader? In seeking answers to these questions, I apply the editorial practices for reading and manuscript development reported by book editors to my work as an editor of one writer’s memoir manuscript currently in the process of revision. Drawing on interviews with the author, recordings of our editorial meetings, and changes in the manuscript itself, I examine the role of the editor in shaping both the author’s work and the author’s memories included in the manuscript. As the author seeks publication of her memoir, I employ the knowledge from working editors to assist her in preparing the manuscript for submission.

Publication Date

4-22-2021

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Patrick W. Thomas

Primary Advisor's Department

English

Keywords

Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Quality Education

The Author's Words and the Editor's Pen: A Self-Study in Editorial Decision Making

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