Editor: Roberta Basarbolieva-Stanisic Company: Compelling Edits Number of years in editing: Unofficially, almost a decade. Officially, just over two years.
Tell us a little about yourself, including how you got started as an editor?
I come from a literature background and enjoy working with words but I got into editing accidentally—a friend wanted to write books and needed support. I found that I enjoyed working on his book with him, and that gave me the confidence to try and work with other writers.
What is your area of focus and why did you select this niche?
As yet I am vacillating between two very different niches—the humanities, and the very specific genre of urban fantasy. I find that they balance each other out and allow me to maintain my curiosity and passion for the work.
Walk us through a typical workday. How do you manage your time?
I am not a full-time editor, so on a typical workday, I teach English from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. After I get home and eat lunch I sit down at the computer, where I may edit, work on my editing website, network, or read interesting articles until 8 p.m. or so. Then I switch everything off and go to bed with a reading book and a cup of tea.
What is your favorite thing about being an editor?
The wonder of the next page.
What is your biggest challenge and how do you work through this?
Finding enough time and energy to give each of my projects the attention they deserve. I deal with this through to-do lists and, as of recently, Google Calendar, which reminds me about various deadlines and appointments wherever I am.
What are you currently working on?
I recently finished editing the latest urban fantasy volume in a series I've been working on since its inception, so I took the opportunity to rebrand my website and create a Twitter account.
What advice do you have for someone who is just starting their career as an editor?
Do your research. Then find supportive communities of practice and ask questions.