Sowell on editors

If there is any rhyme or reason to the way editing varies from one editor to another, it seems to be this: The less the editor has written under his own name, the more he wants to write under someone else’s name.

—Thomas Sowell, ‘Some Thoughts about Writing’

Comments

  1. Several examples of ‘editing’ from people (won’t call them editors) through the past couple of years have turned me off editors forever.

    If it is good enough to pass my own quality control, it will be published. If not, I haven’t finished working on it, and I’m fine doing the work on my own.

    It’s arrogant and egotistical, but it works for me. I’m old enough to be those things.

    GREAT quote.. Maybe that’s the problem.

    And I will never be able to afford someone who has written enough, so that’s that.

  2. I have found one editor I’m going to hire, once I finish my rough draft. She’s edited an award-winning indie book, and I am a fan of her writing (and her husband’s writing). I’m going to edit it first, then have her look at it, mostly because I’d like a professional set of eyes to look over it

    Also, just read your essays on Tolkien. I really need to reread those books. And I’m recommending it to one of my teachers. She’s a huge fan.

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