March 2005
Pop Quiz: What Is an Editor
Answer: More than just the punctuation police
By Christopher Barr
I get one of two responses when I tell someone that I'm an editor. Most people answer with either an uncomprehending, "Oh." Or, if they're brave enough, they ask, "So, what do you do, exactly?"
It's a good question. I find we're often misunderstood—not that I'm asking for sympathy—and I don't like being thought of as a pedantic meddler or tortured bookworm. Editors come in all stripes and colors, and our passion is making magic with words and images.
So, how good is your editorial acumen? Following are profiles of great editors and the work they created. See if you can figure out who they are and the creations they brought to life. (Here's a hint: None of them are known for their prowess at spotting split infinitives.) Answers are at the end of the article.
Profile 1
San Francisco in 1967 was in the throes of antiwar protests and the intoxicating fog of the summer of love. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll were all America's youth could think about. And no one was more obsessed with music than this 20-something, who knew the time was right for a publication that captured the power, angst, and passion of the counterculture. Who was he and what publication did he begin?
Profile 2
This couple holed up in Amsterdam, envisioning a new constituency of hip, young technologists, eager to explore libertarian politics, futuristic visionaries, and arbiters of chic. The cultural revolution was dead; long live the digital revolution. What magazine did they start?
"I don't like being thought of as a pedantic meddler or tortured bookworm."
Profile 3
This infamous caterer created stylish events and sophisticated, yet accessible, recipes. Her first book, published in 1982, proved that she had her eye on both culinary perfection and the nitty-gritty details. She soon blended her talent for writing recipes with tips for crafts, gardening, and home furnishings, and in the process, she built a massive, eponymous empire. Who is this visionary domestic diva? The job description of these top editors was not to point out your grammar goofs; instead, they built teams that could deliver on a vision. By following their passion and drive—along with a generous dose of market testing and research—they each found their voice and built a substantial audience for their products.
That's what editors do. We take ideas to new levels by creating new ways to attract an audience.
About the author:
Chris Barr is Tendo's senior vice president, editorial. email him at chrisb@tendocom.com.
