What is a Fiction Editor?

A fiction editor is a publishing industry professional who prepares works of fiction for publication. Fiction editors can work with short stories, novellas, novels, and full-length books. They may choose to focus on specific genres, such as young adult literature, works in translation, science fiction, romance novels, and so forth. A career as an editor for fiction and other types of writing requires a sharp eye for detail, excellent communication skills, familiarity with spelling and grammar rules, and a knowledge of writing conventions and traditions.

Some fiction editors work for publishing houses. Publishing houses may opt to assign editors to specific writers, so that writers can establish a relationship with a specific fiction editor and maintain that relationship throughout their careers. In other cases, editors are assigned to books as they come under contract, and a writer may work with many editors at the same publishing house. Fiction editors can also work independently or as part of a writing agency.

Editing books is about much more than identifying spelling and grammar errors and making the text consistent in nature. A fiction editor helps the writer make decisions about plotting and storylining, how to present information, formatting, and word choice. Fiction editors can also provide advice and recommendations on how to make a book stronger and more accessible to readers. A writer may produce a technically perfect book that lacks a spark to compel readers, and the fiction editor will work with the writer to develop the book more fully.

Fiction editors also consider their audiences. Publishing houses may have specific content standards and other concerns for the books they accept and editors are responsible for identifying questionable or problematic content and addressing it. The input of a fiction editor may sometimes result in substantial revisions. While publishing houses have separate legal departments tasked with reviewing books to seek out any content that might create legal problems, editors may also flag content for legal review or request review from consultants if a work of fiction contains content that arouses concern.

Many fiction editors start their careers in publishing houses or agencies and work their way up the ranks. They may assist working editors and agents with the basic review of submitted materials and are gradually granted more responsibilities over time as they develop skills and establish relationships with other editors and writers. Once someone has editing experience, that person can choose to continue with an existing employer or to apply elsewhere for different types of editing work or a new working environment.