Natiiv

Technically editing

Tagged dummies , editor , shivsingh , socialmedia

The process behind being a Technical Editor

While I was in Tel Aviv this summer, I got an email from a friend who works at Wiley Publishing (aka the For Dummies people). They needed a technical editor for Shiv Singh's book Social Media Marketing for Dummies and asked if I could do the quick turn-around gig.

I said yes and spent my last week in Tel Aviv glued to my seat in one cafe or another pouring over Shiv's draft and making notes for him. Then I got home and spent the next week or two doing the same.

What is it that a technical editor does?

I didn't have to worry about grammar, spelling, or overall structure. Instead I looked for areas that might leave the reader confused and make a note. I pointed out additional case studies to include to beef up examples and added analogies for Shiv to consider that I've found useful in teaching.

It a lot of fun, but very one-sided. Shiv's editor sent me chapters as he finished them. I added my notes and sent them back to her. She then sent them to Shiv to consider. Throughout the process, Shiv and I had no contact with each other and until a copy of the book lands on my doorstep, I won't know which of my suggestions made it into the book.

I hope that Wiley sends another manuscript my way. It was so different than anything I'd ever done before, but a very fun gig. Best of luck to Shiv as he launches his first book - I can't wait to see how it turned out.

P.S. The affiliate link to Amazon supports a non-profit I'm involved in.