Chapter 1 - The importance of professional editing

Summary

The introduction to this part of the book briefly describes the state of play in Australia when I entered the profession of book editing in 1989. Although there was much discussion among members of the local society of editors about the role of the editor as “gatekeeper”, to my knowledge few publicly discussed social injustice as a lived experience. But as a fledgling editor, the dawning of understanding about what that editorial gatekeeper role meant virtually gave me wings! I soon realised that if I could establish myself as an editor in good standing I would have the power to influence virtually every single reader of the books I was editing, including their authors. That was a powerful moment. I had never before in my life felt as though I held any real power – in any sphere.