editorial privileges

one of the best things about being an editor is reading unpublished works. of course they come in all varieties, the ones that will never be published, the ones that may not get published but because of market weirdness and audience issues. timing, that could be chalked up to. and the ones that are in the chute to be published.

of course confidentiality is essential. i make it a point never to discuss my projects with anyone. save, i'm editing a novel. or whatever.

it does come up, sometimes over dinner, when i manage to fumble upon a group of people i must sup with (though i try to avoid those instances).

it came up at a poetry workshop i was at, supping over lunch. i briefly named the work, but nothing else.

being that most of what i do now is in the christian realm when i deal with the secular poets i happen to be around, there simply isn't any interest in what i'm editing. which is fine by me. ask me no questions, i tell you no lies.

though i have come right out and said,

i don't discuss my projects.

when i was in a christian crowd that was interested and i couldn't see any other way around it.

the thing about it is, i stopped reading in the middle of a chapter today and emailed the author. we dialogued a bit.

and i am spoiled this way, to have such a boon of talented writers around letting me peer over their creative shoulders and caress their newborn babes. that is kind of what it feels like, midwivery. not that i'm so integral to the birthing process, though sometimes the works come to me at that stage, but mostly, i'm the doting godmother, dressing up their words and cleaning up dribbled chins.

my friends do not need my help. that they want my help, is a blessing. and since my actual resume is scoffable, i need them to help me build a solid working resume so i can get my foot in the door of some publishing house.

though i have always wanted to start my own.

ultimately, i will end up there, publishing works on my own. i've dreamt it many times. it's the marketing aspects i would need to figure out. i'm not strong in that department.

but i'm learning so much.

and the work is consistent. i've been at it about four years, and have about thirteen projects under my belt. most have gone on to publication, which is more a testament to the skill of my friends than mine. they are the superstars, but we all need a helping hand, it seems.

they help me by letting me read them. unedited and chime in on their works. such a privilege.

i help them by wiping those dribbled chins. and making babies smile.

my dear friend said to me once,

you're spoiled.

yes.

i replied.

is that a bad thing?

not necessarily.

he answered.

i would not, for all of me have the life of another. mine is simply mine, and i'm grateful for it.