Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jjkorea]

I am finishing my year teaching in the public school system, sort of struggled with it (a lot) and got offers to work at a great hogwan and as an editor (for educ. material).

I did a search for editing experience, but I didn't end up with any. Can anyone give me feedback on how this is?

Otherwise, the hogwan offer pays a lot less than the second offer (but it is offering more than my current position) and is in a great area. I'm not a fan of the area for the editing gig, but my strength lies in writing and the position is a break from teaching, and pays a lot more.

I need to decide asap. Any feedback would be great.

[pootle]

I've only ever edited social research and legal books and articles so have no experience in education literature, but one thing stands out from your post - 'my strength lies in writing'.

You need to be very clear that editing is not writing and that you can't (and as an editor should not) change a work entirely. As much as I loved editing work, it often pained me because I could see another way of putting the book together that went above and beyond the call of an editor.

Some questions to bear in mind:
- Will you have direct contact with the aurthor(s) and how open will they be to suggestions for changes?
- What is the scope of the editing job? Many people confuse editing with proofreading. What is is they want from you?
- Following on from the above, editing should come at a higher price. Proofreading is mainly correcting typos and consistency of language (sometimes format) but editing needs to take control of the whole piece and shape it for the better.
- 'For the better' is subjective, so ascertain the limits of what they want from you. Are they up for a complete re-write according to your language preferences, are they looking for guidance on flow and tone and general language issues? Are they looking to you to create the piece based on a few not-well-thought-through inputs?

Don't know if this helps, and I'm tired and hot so please no, 'You spelt that incorrectly' BS!

[Ya-ta Boy]

pootle has some good advice.

Another thing to think about: Be prepared to deal with Korean grammar nazis who are far far more dogmatic than the grammar nazis here on Dave's.