This field guide reveals the daily responsibilities of a literary magazine editor and the essential skills needed to read, mark up, and transform writing. It outlines an editor's tasks, including vision creation, acquisitions, submission responses, and author correspondence, while providing a behind-the-scenes look at manuscripts in progress. The book concludes with a test editing section featuring engaging exercises that teach practical strategies for working on various texts. With generous insights and access to practicing editors' annotations and thought processes, it offers a unique perspective on nonfiction, fiction, and poetry manuscripts from submission to final presentation. Interviews with editors discuss their choices, philosophies, and practices, enriching the reader's understanding of the editing process. As a skill honed through practice and apprenticeship, this guide serves as an ultimate companion for anyone looking to improve their editing craft. It encourages learning by doing through exercises, reflections, and case studies, inviting readers to step into the role of an editor and demystify the exciting and coveted profession of editing.
