Editor: Sara Desharnais Company: MarketReach, Inc. # of years in editing: 15 years.
Tell us a little about yourself, including how you got started as an editor?
Hi, I'm Sara. I'm a professional proofreader. I got started in editing when I realized I didn't know what I was going to do with my degree in creative writing. My advisor asked how I felt about becoming an editor. I loved editing other people's work, so why not?
What is your area of focus and why did you select this niche?
My area of focus originally was in the publishing industry, but around three years ago, I started working at a B2B creative production house, mostly working on high-tech marketing materials. While the content sometimes goes right over my head and there are a seemingly endless number of acronyms and initialisms, I truly love it.
Walk us through a typical workday. How do you manage your time?
My workday is a typical 8-5, but any given day can have me switching between 27 different style guides. Yes, that's right. Twenty seven. Luckily, our time is managed by our awesome traffic manager. Every day I come in and I know exactly what I'm working on!
What is your favorite thing about being an editor?
My favorite thing about being an editor is the pride of making other people's work better!
What is your biggest challenge and how do you work through this?
My biggest challenge is keeping all those styles straight. We've done a great job of making tip sheets for each company, but it's a lot to keep up with.
What are you currently working on?
A lot of different small tasks.
What advice do you have for someone who is just starting their career as an editor?
If you're just starting, you need to dive head in. The more you edit, the better you become. Find a mentor, even if they are just online. If you can, pick a niche and rock it! And don't stop READING