Editors - Can't live with them, can't shoot them

What do you want in your editor?

Edit: To compile, arrange and amend for publication.

Editor: One who prepares manuscripts, copy, etc. for publication.

Thank you Doubleday for the definition of an Editor. The biggest issue with being an editor is living up to the perception of the writer. So I ask the question again: What do you want in your editor?

Do you want someone who will rave over the literary perfection of your work? Do you want a rubber stamp on all you do?  If that's the case, send your work to your best friend or your mother. They'll fill the bill.

It is the responsibility of the editor to spot the misspellings you keep overlooking; to be the first to let you know if you've strayed from the line of your story because, believe it or not, we are vested in your success.

Our publishing house, Rogue Phoenix Press, is owned by an author whose journey into publication was fraught with potholes and frustrations. And that was with an editor she was extremely fond of and worked with well. She knows the tribulations of writing and having her work published.

While Rogue Phoenix is in the business of publishing and creating income for us all, they aren't the usual publishers. Because of the owner's personal experience, Rogue Phoenix's goal is to publish those writers, those talented souls, other publishers have had the blind misfortune of discounting. 

Hence the need for editors with an understanding of the company's vision and the trials of the writer. And because we editors are talented writers ourselves, we wonder if our vision of the writer's work will translate to the author as positive improvement or come across as story bashing.

Rogue Phoenix and the editors' goals are to create the very best version possible of the writer's tale. It is our sacred duty to honor the authors' goals and be true to their story; sometimes in spite of what we think should work. The story, and it's characters, belong to the writer. We editors are here to nip/tuck any nigglies hanging out and make sure the final package is the best we can offer.

In the end, the book is what the author envisions and we, the editors, are charged with making it so.