by: Sir Khalid Rehman
An editor is an experienced professional who possesses great knowledge of his subject. He reads news and articles, expresses his learned opinion. He makes sure that the policies of the magazine are carried out. He also edits and supervises production of the magazine. So editing is not a profession that you can jump right into. You must have a great deal of experience and education to be an editor. The editorial desk is populated by a number of sub or sub editors who assist the editor in the many ways in which an editor functions. In a newspaper, according to his seniority and functionality, a professional may be a senior sub editor, an assistant editor, a senior assistant editor, a news editor, a city editor, an assignments editor, a business editor, a sports editor, a magazine editor, a features editor or a supplement editor. In a magazine, there is usually an editor (who may also be called a chief editor), an executive editor (who holds executive power), an associate editor, one or more assistant editors, various section editors (fashion, art, fiction, cookery, features editor, etc) and editorial assistants. Obviously, different editorial sections have their respective editors.
Anyone who has the capabilities mentioned above can become a magazine editor.
Starting at the first rung of the editorial ladder, you start with a desire to become an editor and to have a great thirst for knowledge to stay in this respectable profession.
To become a newspaper or magazine editor, you start here:
- Obtain a degree in journalism or English, take writing and editing classes, read different magazines, newspapers and journals a lot and write much less than that, but do write, build up your vocabulary, grammar skills and knowledge of current events.
- Gain writing and publishing experience by getting involved in your local magazines. Make yourself familiar with research and interviewing techniques.
- Call various newspaper and magazines to find out if they are hiring interns. Write a letter to the editor in charge where you would like to work. Send information on your academic background and experience and include the reason for choosing the specific newspaper or magazine. Jump on that internship offer even it is unpaid for. (Brace yourself for being coaxed and cajoled by your seniors. One day, you might be doing the same.)
- Once you have gained practical experience, which depends mostly upon your own learning capability and the organization you are working for, assess yourself to see if you are ready for an editing position. Begin the search for a job. Prepare your resume and samples of your work. Get ready the references of the people where you previously worked for.
- Search the wanted ads for any editorial job openings in your area or city. Send your resume to apply for the position that fits your inclination, experience and academic background.
Nature of the Work
Generally, magazines fall into different categories: business and professional, and those intended for the general public. Newspapers, too, are business and general. Even general newspapers have different sections and usually bring out a weekly magazine.
There are different kinds of editors on a magazine, and their specific duties vary. In large magazines, the executive editor or chief editor sees that the given editorial policy is firmly carried out. This is an administrative job. The magazine—from choice of contents to edited text, pictures, captions, and headings—is the responsibility of the editor (or the editor-in-chief in case of big newspapers and magazines). The editor (with the help of a panel of leader writers) also expresses newspaper or the magazine’s point of view through editorials, which are actually short essays on current topics.
Editors look after the day-to-day work of selecting articles, editing and arranging copy, and supervising other junior editors. Sometimes they are put in charge of a bureau or branch office in another city.
In general, editors do not write articles (but sometimes they do). Actually, they edit articles and form and shape its content. Articles are usually written by staff writers or freelancers. Editors revise articles and may write headlines and captions and review page proofs. They must also be sure that the articles are the right length. If a story is too long, for instance, it must be cut very to fit the space available.
Editors also plan the artwork, illustrations, and photos to go with each story. They work closely with the art and production departments to prepare and approve page layouts that carry out the magazine's visual or graphic style.
Editors have editorial assistants who may answer letters, do research, or screen manuscripts that arrive at the magazine. When the editor finishes with an article, it goes to a copy editor, who reviews, corrects, and tweaks the article to fit the magazine’s style.
In smaller magazines having smaller staffs, the executive or chief editor may perform a variety of editorial tasks, such as writing, editing, and copyediting, besides supervising the staff and keeping the magazine on schedule. In a small company each staff member has multiple jobs.
Special Experience Required
Advanced computer skills and a good sense of language and grammar are essential requirements for being an editor. For professional magazines, editors must have academic knowledge or working experience in the field in which the magazine specializes. For instance, an engineer may become an editor for a professional engineering magazine, a veteran photographer for a magazine on photography, and a fashion designer for a fashion magazine.
A Fashion Magazine Editor in the Making
A fashion editor finds beautiful or trendy clothes and works with photographers and models to create a fashion spread for a magazine or a whole fashion magazine. A fashion editor must be very detail-oriented and passionate about fashion.
- If you are not a professional fashion designer, become an expert on fashion. Take fashion classes at a design school or teach yourself by reading fashion magazines. Getting to know the work and style of major fashion photographers, designers, magazine editors, models and other fashion world figures.
- Start writing for fashion magazines, websites and blogs as a freelance writer. This will give you valuable experience and knowledge of the fashion industry. You will make contacts within the fashion world and write-ups and press releases on new fashions will start coming to you. You can expect receiving invitations to fashion shows too.
- Follow a good fashion editor closely if possible. You will learn a lot from their experience, and have knowledge of fashion trends, styles, fabrics and a keen eye for detail. You must be prepared to do it for free.
- Get an internship with a fashion magazine. As an intern you will be able to attend photo shoots and assist the fashion editor. Get in touch with key figures in the fashion industry and develop a good relationship with them.
- Apply for a job at major fashion magazines. Once you have all the experience and knowledge, you can start applying to various fashion magazines. Prepare a detailed cover letter and impressive resume that details all of your experience and accomplishments. You should also include your published work or a portfolio of fashion spreads.
