The Salford Concert series continues…
WEDNESDAY 10th JUNE at the most Sofa-centric venue in town: ISLINGTON MILL, James street, Salford, (for the sat-nav savvy: M3 5HW)
doors opening: 8.00pm, your financial outlay: a mere £5.
The Salford Concert series continues…
WEDNESDAY 10th JUNE at the most Sofa-centric venue in town: ISLINGTON MILL, James street, Salford, (for the sat-nav savvy: M3 5HW)
doors opening: 8.00pm, your financial outlay: a mere £5.
otherroom.org 
I wish I was in England. I reckon hanging out with you blokes (and ladies) would be a lot of fun. I have a topic for you to debate. What makes a good editor? A university degree? Obviously not, enough waffle about what is good writing, let’s talk about what a good editor is.
Interesting question. Not being an editor myself I’m probably not qualified to judge, but I’ll have a go anyway.
In terms of anthologies I’d say an editor needs to have a vision, in the same way that a stage director needs to have a vision. That is they need some idea of what it is they want to accomplish, and the means they will use to get there. The Reality Street Book of Sonnets edited by Jeff Hilson springs to mind.
But in terms of working with individual writers I’d guess an editor needs to be able to engage with the writer on a personal level. Ideally it’s a relationship that shouldn’t be a collaboration, but perhaps should be moving in that direction.
Magazine editing is probably trickier since editors have huge numbers of submissions and not enough time. Ideally I’d imagine it requires a combination of the two sets of skills outlined – both a clear vision of what they want to accomplish, and the ability to engage with their writers.
Just preliminary thoughts – James and Tom have the experience here though and may have something more useful to add.
From James
Choosing the work: Agreed with Matt; a good relationship with the author. Really believe in the work as a reader would.
Once published: I think sales is important. Promotion and fulfilling promises (you made realistic ones). Future vision. Tell people they need it in as generous and accessible a way as possible. Enjoy all parts of the process.
These are my views not a manifesto.
P.S. Scott edits lots too but doesn’t blog.
Clarity of vision. Persistence. Energy. Enthusiasm. (TJ)