In the past four years, I have worked in multiple areas of educational publishing. I have learned valuable lessons about differences between audiences and how those differences affect style, and would love to share some of these lessons. Despite the seemingly narrow focus of myexperiences in educational publishing, they have all addressed very different audiences and purposes — from simple reading materials for young English Language Learners to complex educational policy reports for state boards of education and legislators. (For more information about my employer and publications I've worked on, visit the web sites listed under "Information About SREB.")
Through these experiences, I have learned about the great variety of opportunities available in publishing, even within a specific area of the industry. I hope this blog will become a forum for discussing these opportunities and addressing the best strategies for catering publications to specific audiences and purposes. I will also provide information about editing and publishing practices related specifically to educational and non-profit publications.
In this limited forum, I cannot teach you how to become an editor overnight, nor can I address every aspect of this extremely large industry; but I will be happy to provide any information or advice I can about developing editorial skills or beginning a career in publishing. In addition, I would love to hear your feedback and advice about the important role of audience and purpose in publishing. Have you received a publication or report that was designed for you, but did not address your needs? How do you think that publication could have been improved?
If you are interested in learning about opportunities in publishing and the variety of audiences and purposes in this industry, or just want more information about how the publications you read are developed, then you’ve come to the right place.
Emily
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13 comments:
As I was reading your blog, I began to think about my high school experience in taking test, more specifically standardized test. While I usually succeeded on the test, I always found it strange the material I was tested on. There seemed to be a major disconnect between what I was learning in school and what I was being tested on with the standardized test. I understand now this was a lack of knowledge of the audience the test was made for. As a result, the standardized test never seemed to serve its purpose, which in my mind was to see how much I and the other students had learned. Do you have any experience with adressing these issues? If so, what initiatives are being done to correct the problem?
If I have an idea for a book, what is the best way to submit the idea to a publisher? What can I do to ensure that an editor reads my proposal?
It must be difficult for publishers and editors to be well versed enough on so many topics. Do you find yourself preferring one type of text over another?
The publishing industry doesn't seem to be that large in the Atlanta area. Do you know of any local companies whose main focus is publishing, or who have a serious need for editors and the like?
Working as a technical writer, editing is a huge part of my job. I edit my own work and often edit the work of others. The hardest part of editing (for me) is closing the Word file and saying "done!" Half the time I'm forced to be done due to a deadline. But often I find myself reading the piece over and over again, boggled with edits I didn't notice the read before. What advice do you have on walking away from something you're editing and considering it finished?
What things do you find exculsive to the educational publishing world that you don't see elsewhere in the industry?
Also, I noticed that you worked on publishing books on ESOL. I will be teaching an ESOL class for tenth graders next year and was wondering if you could suggest a good publication?
Matt
What lead you to pursue a career in publishing? Did you plan it all throughout college or was it something you stumbled into?
I have considered writing a book of activities for Spanish students. Do you think that there would be a market for such a book? If so, where would be the best place to start?
Recently I have been applying for editing jobs in the Atlanta area. Can you talk about starting a career as an editor in the publishing industry?
As a teacher, when things get chaotic in the classroom, I think about other jobs I might be qualified for, and I wonder if I would enjoy educational publishing. I’m interested in what type of opportunities are available in the arena of educational publishing, and I’d like to know if transitions from teaching to publishing are common.
One thing that has puzzled me about having my writing edited is that two different editors provide two very different kinds of feedback/revisions. I understand why this is. However, I wonder if there is a right way. For example, it has been drilled into my head to leave out "that" and "the" whenever possible. Sample sentence. Georgia legislators read minutes aloud at closing exercise. I have had edits come back to me to insert "the" back in. So, it would read: The Georgia legislators read the minutes alout at the closing exercise. What have you seen most often and is there a more correct way or is it up to individual preference?
Hello, Emily.
I'm currently a high school English teacher, so it was great to hear the voice of someone on the other side of the textbooks. With time off in the summer, I am usually looking for any extra side work to keep my wallet happy. Are there such things as part time employment for these companies? If so, could you recommend some places to look?
Thanks!
Emily,
Even though I'm enrolled in this fantastic professional writing program, I hate editing! I know it's extremely important, but like Elizabeth, I have a difficult time walking away from something and saying "done." More than that, I have forgotten nearly all the correction symbols, etc., and feel like taking the PRWR 6280 class, Business and Technical Editing, would be a huge benefit. My goal is corporate communications and creative writing? Would you advise me to take the class?
Thanks,
Leah
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