My Life as an Editor

(I apologize if you don’t. I lack sleep, and I want to sleep  but I can’t because I’ve been really itching to write this entry since the IT admin at my workplace blocked my website.) For one, it’s quite scary when you tell people you’re an editor, it somehow tempts them to look for errors and inconsistencies in whatever you say or write, this blog for example. I’m really not a good writer nor I am excellent at expressing my thoughts, even I get confused most of the time of what I want to say. My boss had told me a number of times that I’m using the English language wrongly. I am wordy and conversational. I must also say that I am not a fan of highfalutin words and complex sentence structure, hence my very basic English. Yes, although my job requires me to write occasionally, being an editor is more on proofreading, rewriting/rewording, and researching. I’m contradicting myself. (See my point?) Being an editor could get pretty exhausting, most especially if the work is piling up already, you have a boss who scolds you for poor work (my fault, really), and you have deadly deadlines to meet and a very short time to transmit them. This blog is, shall I say, anarchical; and my blabs are like my getaway destinations from the stress brought by my job.

I know I sound so defensive in my introduction and digressed from the topic. Ha, that’s me being too guilty, righteous, inconsistent, chatty and whatnot. Do not get me wrong though, I love my job, especially my colleagues (I appreciated it more when I found two new friends who I am very close with right now), and yes, the respect I get whenever I say I AM AN ASSISTANT EDITOR.

I’ve been with C & E Publishing, Inc. for eight months already, and I still cannot believe that I got hired by the company and lasted this long. I did not have any editing and writing background when I applied, so it was totes a surprise that they accepted me. My first months were a whirl. Everything was new to me and I had a difficult time adjusting. On my first day, I had to study proofreading marks, editing, and Chicago style. The next morning, I was already given minor editor tasks. When the associate editor for allied health left, I had to temporarily take over and finish the projects. Boy was I overwhelmed of the amount of work. Just imagine reading a 300-page book for about two to three times, analyze, and correct the errors. That’s just for one project. Every month, we are required to transmit at least two titles, one if we’re lucky and if it’s not the peak season. I’m still in the same area. Do I have to say that I feel scared whenever a title/project is about to be published? Editors could be blamed for both minor and major errors in a book, and worse, sued, you know.

Just yesterday, we were asked to submit a report of the titles we accomplished last year. I was pretty surprised that I have actually accomplished 9 titles in just seven months. Woot woot! 🙂 Below are some of the titles (I will upload more later, my internet connection is getting into my nerves lately):

Just click the photo to enlarge. You can find them at any bookstore, particularly at C & E Bookshop located at Quezon Avenue. And if you feel like lounging there for a bit, you can grab a coffee or a bite at Dolcelatte just beside the bookshop. Come on, Starbucks is overrated, it’s about time you experience something new and definitely more delectable.

By the way, if you happen to come across these books and find errors, blame me. LOL, kidding. Feel free to e-mail me of your queries and corrections (perhaps) at [email protected]. Toodles! 🙂