( This was originally a thread I posted on Twitter, but I copied it here in case that was easier for folks to read. I also didn’t want this to disappear into that Great Algorithm in the Sky. Enjoy!)
Let’s talk about the editorial assessment. For me it serves a few purposes:
1) it gets me in a conversation with creators about their project specifically, and editing in general
2) it allows me to gauge my suitability for the project
3) it provides useful advice to the creator
Let’s break that down.
1) It gets me in a conversation with creators about their project specifically, and editing in general
It would be disingenuous of me to pretend it isn’t a marketing tool. All sorts of marketing books will trumpet the value of direct contact with a potential client. But I honestly enjoy reading and talking about TTRPGs, and so I treasure the opportunity to see a new game, scenario, or supplement in its “cocoon”, before it transforms into the beautiful project it will become.
Alongside this, when I started offering freelance editing services, lo those many years ago, the majority of new creators didn’t understand what the editing process entailed. For many folks their one experience of “editing” comes from teacher feedback on school papers, often not the best experience.
I have clients, especially new creators, who come to me assuming we will have an adversarial relationship, which couldn’t be further from the truth. So the editorial assessment is my opportunity to start as I mean to go on and establish a cooperative working relationship.
2) It allows me to gauge my suitability for the project
I’m really a very good editor and proofreader, and I love the work. Playing with words in general is fun for me, but the added puzzle of adjusting language to better match creator intent? Mmm, that’s the good stuff!
That said, I’m not always the right fit for a project. *pause for monocle pop of surprise from certain cis white male creatives* Sometimes I don’t have the cultural or societal lens needed to serve the project. Learning this was a big part of my growth as an editor.
So sometimes my editorial assessment will end with me suggesting the creator find another editor who would be a good fit, and refusing the work beyond the assessment. It’s also why I keep a list of other editors, so I can give some suggestions of who might be a better fit.
And lastly:
3) It provides useful advice to the creator
I try to include as much advice about ways for the creator to do some of the work themselves as I can. Obviously I want to work on the project for them, and then the editorial assessment is a great tool to direct my work. But it’s important to me they never feel like I’m holding back advice or information, because that’s an awful way to start a working relationship built on trust. In that vein, if they choose not to use my services, I want to give them things to think about as they go to talk with other editors. The more information I can give them in the assessment, the better equipped they’ll be in later discussions.
My primary goal, of course, is to get editing work. But my secondary goal is to help folks get the best editing they can. If a creator decides I’m not the person for the job, I want to help them make good decisions about who might be. Because at the end of the day, that puts more excellent games in the world.
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I hope you found this useful. If you do want to talk to me about editing, and maybe get an editorial assessment of your very own, check out my “Need an Editor?” page for details. I hope we talk soon!
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