Working from the bottom up The bottom rung of the publishing ladder is the editorial assistant, a glorified secretary to an editor. An assistant takes care of all of the editor's clerical tasks, setting appointments, writing letters, reading and assessing manuscripts, and most of all soaking up the mechanics of the editor's job. If they do not burn out first, assistants spend about two years at that level before becoming promoted to assistant editor. Editors at major book publishing houses get to make stars out of new writers. At the highest level, editors command six-figure salaries and rub elbows with the most famous people in the literary world.
Magazine editors enjoy similar benefits.
Magazine editors dictate the creative direction of a magazine and work with art directors, photographers, and writers to execute their vision. Editors are bibliophiles and workaholics and, although they find little time to rest their eyes, they claim to be among the happiest professionals in the world. Shop O2 . All Rights Reserved.