Textbook editors oversee the production of learning materials for educational institutions. They guide books from planning to completion, working with authors and illustrators to meet project goals and deadlines. A degree in a related field and practical experience, such as an internship or teaching, are required. Former professors can also become textbook editors, but writing or editing experience is still necessary.
If you have strong writing, communication, and management skills, combined with an in-depth knowledge of one or more educational fields, you might want to become a textbook publisher. This type of editor oversees the production of learning materials for primary, secondary, and higher education institutions. Generally, the two main requirements for prospective textbook editors are a degree in a related field and practical experience such as an internship or teaching.
A textbook editor can be described as a project manager. Your job is to guide an educational book from planning to completion. She works with authors and illustrators to ensure their work is executed with clarity and meets the goals and deadlines of each project. In addition, she knows how each project fits into the textbook market and can be responsible for composing promotional materials and designing book packaging.
To become a textbook editor, you will likely need a degree in a relevant field. As editing relies heavily on writing skills, you may find it helpful to specialize in a literary subject such as English, journalism or rhetoric. Many textbook publishers work in certain subjects, such as math, science or history, however, and need to have in-depth knowledge of that subject. Thus, you might consider a course in a non-literary discipline with a course in an area that emphasizes writing. Alternatively, you could earn a bachelor’s degree in a literary discipline and a master’s degree in the field you’d like to specialize in, or vice versa.
In most cases, textbook editing is not a basic position. So another significant qualification that can help you become a textbook editor is experience. This experience can take many forms, including internships, working in lower-level publishing or teaching positions. Often, an attractive editorial candidate will have a combination of these.
Many publishers offer internship programs that train a student or recent graduate to become a textbook editor. As an editorial intern, you’ll likely assist the editor and her assistants with a range of tasks, including research, fact-checking, and editing copy. While these positions are generally unpaid, they can provide a thorough understanding of a textbook editor’s job. Plus, they can add a valuable distinction to your CV.
Even if you’ve completed a textbook editing internship, you may need to work in lower-level publishing positions before graduating to an editorial job. You might first work in an area like research and development or start out as a manuscript reader. If you do your job well, you could eventually get promoted or hired for an editing job.
Some textbook editors are former professors. As this type of editor helps produce educational materials, first-hand knowledge of teaching methods and student behavior, as well as detailed knowledge of specific areas, can be very helpful. If you are a teacher and are considering entering the field of textbook publishing, it is important to note that you will likely still need writing or editing experience. To qualify for the job, consider completing an internship at an educational publishing house or pursuing a master’s degree in a relevant subject.
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