Overview
Editors review, evaluate and edit manuscripts, articles, news reports and other material for publication, broadcast or interactive media and coordinate the activities of writers, journalists and other staff. They are employed by publishing firms, magazines, journals, newspapers, radio and television networks and stations, and by companies and government departments that produce publications such as newsletters, handbooks, manuals and Web sites. Editors may also work on a freelance basis.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Evaluate suitability of manuscripts, articles, news copy and wire service dispatches for publication, broadcast or electronic media and recommend or make changes in content, style and organization
Read and edit copy to be published or broadcast to detect and correct errors in spelling, grammar and syntax, and shorten or lengthen copy as space or time requires
Confer with authors, staff writers, reporters and others regarding revisions to copy
Plan and implement layout or format of copy according to space or time allocations and significance of copy
Plan and coordinate activities of staff and assure production deadlines are met
Plan coverage of upcoming events and assign work accordingly
Write or prepare introductions, marketing and promotional materials, bibliographic references, indexes and other text
May negotiate royalties with authors and arrange for payment of freelance staff.
Editors may specialize in a particular subject area, such as news, sports or features, or in a particular type of publication, such as books, magazines, newspapers or manuals.