Comments on: Writers and Editors http://www.eqsq.com/vivreladifference/2007/05/11/writers-and-editors/ Vivre La Difference Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:17:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Tom Welsh http://www.eqsq.com/vivreladifference/2007/05/11/writers-and-editors/#comment-5487 Tom Welsh Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:08:12 +0000 http://eqsq.com/vivreLaDifference/writers-and-editors.html#comment-5487 Some employers may demand college degrees, but when I was hired as an editor by a US-based publisher, my paper qualifications were not an issue. Sure, I have a degree, and it says so in my resume - but the decision to hire me was based mainly on my writing skills and professional track record, supplemented by several lengthy interviews. So no one should be put off pursuing such a career by lack of a degree - relevant experience is more important, and business acumen perhaps most of all. Some employers may demand college degrees, but when I was hired as an editor by a US-based publisher, my paper qualifications were not an issue. Sure, I have a degree, and it says so in my resume - but the decision to hire me was based mainly on my writing skills and professional track record, supplemented by several lengthy interviews. So no one should be put off pursuing such a career by lack of a degree - relevant experience is more important, and business acumen perhaps most of all.

]]> By: Tim Worstall http://www.eqsq.com/vivreladifference/2007/05/11/writers-and-editors/#comment-5416 Tim Worstall Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:46:11 +0000 http://eqsq.com/vivreLaDifference/writers-and-editors.html#comment-5416 Millie, that's the intelligence I've got back from those who are taking writing much more seriously than I am. It's the network that counts, much more than skill or talent (although those are both useful as well of course:-)). I'm writing non-fiction, non-creative stuff. OpEds sometimes, a lot of bits and pieces about economics, the environment and so on. I've got a light enough style and I know my subjects, so it's quite easy for me to hammer out 800 words, or 1,500 for an editor. But the one piece of intelligence which I am so grateful for from the first editor I found who would actually read my stuff is: make friends with editors. Create a network of people who will answer your emails, pick up the phone when you call. Sometimes you'll be asked to do pieces you don't want to, at low rates or none, but you'll do them because that's what you have to to stay in the network. MFAs most definitely have that value over and above the formal part of the program. Yes, I am taking the offer, who wouldn't? Millie, that’s the intelligence I’ve got back from those who are taking writing much more seriously than I am. It’s the network that counts, much more than skill or talent (although those are both useful as well of course:-)).
I’m writing non-fiction, non-creative stuff. OpEds sometimes, a lot of bits and pieces about economics, the environment and so on. I’ve got a light enough style and I know my subjects, so it’s quite easy for me to hammer out 800 words, or 1,500 for an editor.
But the one piece of intelligence which I am so grateful for from the first editor I found who would actually read my stuff is: make friends with editors. Create a network of people who will answer your emails, pick up the phone when you call. Sometimes you’ll be asked to do pieces you don’t want to, at low rates or none, but you’ll do them because that’s what you have to to stay in the network.
MFAs most definitely have that value over and above the formal part of the program.
Yes, I am taking the offer, who wouldn’t?

]]> By: millie mcclelland http://www.eqsq.com/vivreladifference/2007/05/11/writers-and-editors/#comment-5305 millie mcclelland Mon, 21 May 2007 15:49:05 +0000 http://eqsq.com/vivreLaDifference/writers-and-editors.html#comment-5305 p.s. congrats on your contract offer--are you going to take it? p.s. congrats on your contract offer–are you going to take it?

]]> By: millie mcclelland http://www.eqsq.com/vivreladifference/2007/05/11/writers-and-editors/#comment-5304 millie mcclelland Mon, 21 May 2007 15:44:53 +0000 http://eqsq.com/vivreLaDifference/writers-and-editors.html#comment-5304 Tim, No doubt the network provides a good bit of the value. I mentioned <a href="http://www.fencemag.com/v9n2/" rel="nofollow">FENCE literary magazine </a>some time ago, and it's a case in point here. After its inception, the associated press published graduates from the Iowa Writer's Workshop almost exclusively for several years--that's the same Iowa Writer's Workshop from which the FENCE editor and publisher graduated. I mean no dis to Rebecca Wolff--it's a common trend in literary publishing to support the work of friends. Getting a MFA helps create such a circle of support. Tim, No doubt the network provides a good bit of the value. I mentioned FENCE literary magazine some time ago, and it’s a case in point here. After its inception, the associated press published graduates from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop almost exclusively for several years–that’s the same Iowa Writer’s Workshop from which the FENCE editor and publisher graduated. I mean no dis to Rebecca Wolff–it’s a common trend in literary publishing to support the work of friends. Getting a MFA helps create such a circle of support.

]]> By: Tim Worstall http://www.eqsq.com/vivreladifference/2007/05/11/writers-and-editors/#comment-5247 Tim Worstall Sat, 19 May 2007 14:10:24 +0000 http://eqsq.com/vivreLaDifference/writers-and-editors.html#comment-5247 Millie, I agree that writers don't leap fully formed out of the cradle. I'm also aware of the increasing influence of the various creative writing programs. I'm not sure how much of their success comes from the teaching of writing and how much from the intelligence you get abou how the business works, who the publishers and agents are etc. That intelligence is extremely valuable as it's actually rather easier to write a book than it is to get it published. There's a definite trend in the UK for publishers to be looking at blogs as a source of writers. I know at least 20 (including myself :-)) who have been offered contracts in just the last year. But I think you're right that MFAs and similar are very valuable programs, even if I tend to think that it's the network that provides at least some of that value. Millie, I agree that writers don’t leap fully formed out of the cradle. I’m also aware of the increasing influence of the various creative writing programs. I’m not sure how much of their success comes from the teaching of writing and how much from the intelligence you get abou how the business works, who the publishers and agents are etc. That intelligence is extremely valuable as it’s actually rather easier to write a book than it is to get it published.

There’s a definite trend in the UK for publishers to be looking at blogs as a source of writers. I know at least 20 (including myself :-)) who have been offered contracts in just the last year.

But I think you’re right that MFAs and similar are very valuable programs, even if I tend to think that it’s the network that provides at least some of that value.

]]> By: millie mcclelland http://www.eqsq.com/vivreladifference/2007/05/11/writers-and-editors/#comment-5119 millie mcclelland Mon, 14 May 2007 21:03:32 +0000 http://eqsq.com/vivreLaDifference/writers-and-editors.html#comment-5119 Tim, It's true that a writer doesn't technically need a degree to write a novel. And historically, many writers haven't had them. And many editors will tell the aspiring writer to head off for work in the coalmines, to get some gritty lived experience. But the truth of the situation is that more and more, published writers are those who have gotten MFAs--Master's of Fine Arts--in creative writing. In a MFA program, students write and workshop their writing for 2-3 years. At the end of that time, they should have a thesis--and for some this means having a manuscript to send out for publication consideration. During their MFA study, students also hobknob with their fellow students, their professors, and with visiting writers. Having a community of writers can bolster and inspire, which may be the most appealing aspect of a MFA. Interested folks should check out the <a href="http://www.awpwriter.org/" rel="nofollow">Associated Writing Programs's website</a>. You can find information about MFA programs, as well as writing contests and the like. Tim, It’s true that a writer doesn’t technically need a degree to write a novel. And historically, many writers haven’t had them. And many editors will tell the aspiring writer to head off for work in the coalmines, to get some gritty lived experience. But the truth of the situation is that more and more, published writers are those who have gotten MFAs–Master’s of Fine Arts–in creative writing.

In a MFA program, students write and workshop their writing for 2-3 years. At the end of that time, they should have a thesis–and for some this means having a manuscript to send out for publication consideration. During their MFA study, students also hobknob with their fellow students, their professors, and with visiting writers. Having a community of writers can bolster and inspire, which may be the most appealing aspect of a MFA.

Interested folks should check out the Associated Writing Programs’s website. You can find information about MFA programs, as well as writing contests and the like.

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