It's been way too long, which means I'm not doing so well at keeping one of my resolutions to blog once a week. In my defense, I haven't had any editing work--it's much easier to write about editing when I am currently editing!
Then last week I received a manuscript that was a whopping 487 pages, but the last few books I had edited for this press had been really good, and I hadn't edited for over a month, so I was excited to start. The excitement quickly faded as I realized I might need to return the manuscript unfinished. It wasn't the timeline--I had to edit 500 pages in ten days, meaning two read-throughs, meaning about 100 pages a day, which is at least three hours a day on top of my full-time job. I don't like to edit that fast because I don't feel I do my best work, but I can do it every once in awhile. No, the timeline wasn't the problem; it was the content. It was like the author had thought of every cruel, violent, tortuous possibility and made it a reality to a small town in the South. I got through a couple hundred pages, most of which was setting up the normal life of the town and the family of protagonists, and then it started getting bloodier and bloodier, and I found myself reading a page and then watching a lighthearted YouTube video to distract and soothe myself. I felt extremely uncomfortable, to the point I dreaded even thinking about editing (red flag!).
So what do I do? I'm a lowly copy editor only kept on by how well and fast I edit--my job is on the line. By returning the manuscript five days into the ten day timeline, I'm slowing the process for the book's publication. On the other hand, I cannot read the manuscript! I wouldn't be able to edit very well when I only skim the words, trying not to think about them.
Returning the manuscript to the managing editor was a huge relief. I haven't heard back from her yet about her reaction to me returning it early and unfinished, but regardless of the outcome, I know it was the right decision.
While you wouldn't normally think of copy editors facing ethical dilemmas, they totally do! Each editor has to decide for himself or herself what is and is not acceptable to edit. Some editors may feel comfortable with everything. If I could have my pick, I would always edit child or young adult fiction because it's much more likely to be clean (morally, not gramatically). Decide now where your line is so that when your new managing editor gives you a manuscript, you will be able to tell very quickly if you'll be able to do your best work.
I love editing, but I wouldn't love it if I felt obligated to edit everything sent to me. Respect yourself as an editor and only edit what you feel comfortable with. Editing will be much more enjoyable if you do.
