True Words Anthology

Looking for an Editor
Deadline for applications: January 16, 2009

The Publications Committee of SCN is seeking an enthusiastic SCN member to edit the SCN annual anthology for 2009.

This year, SCN members will be asked to submit their stories (up to 1000 words) and poetry (up to 40 lines) for the 2009 True Words anthology to SCN via a web form on the SCN website with a deadline of March 1, 2009. SCN will produce only a single print edition for 2009.

The True Words Anthology Editor selects stories and poetry from among the submissions and edits these appropriately, following the SCN editorial guidelines. She emails authors promptly and sensitively to let them know the status of their submission(s). She responds to the many emails received. She exchanges emails with authors regarding editing changes and keeps authors and the SCN board informed of progress. She reports directly to the Executive Director, Peggy Moody.

She compiles a 28-page anthology by May 1, and submits this electronically to the Story Circle Network. (SCN will arrange printing and mailing in time to reach members by mid May 2009.)

The right person will:

Have excellent writing skills;
Enjoy working with lifewriters and especially with novice writers;
Have some editing experience (or experience in journalism or teaching English);
Know how to follow a style guide;
Have daily access to a computer and a strong proficiency with computers;
Have reliable e-mail service and be willing to receive and manage a lot of email messages from SCN members and to respond to all emails in a timely and friendly manner;
Have a recent version of Microsoft Word software on her computer and be familiar with Word's editing and formatting tools (including "Find & Replace" and Styles);
Be reliable about meeting deadlines;
Be responsive, diplomatic, and sensitive to the feelings of anthology contributors;
Respect confidentiality and copyright.

Also helpful but not required:

Knowledge of Microsoft Publisher software or other layout software;
Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat PDF software.

For a more detailed job description for this position and for information on how to apply, see below.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please , explaining in detail why you are interested in this position and what background and experience you have that is relevant to the position. A resume is not strictly required but you are welcome to send one if you like. Let us know if there are any anticipated commitments or circumstances that might make it difficult for you to work on this project from January 15 to May 1, 2009 (see Time Frame information below).

Editing Test

The application process will include a short editing test, using Microsoft Word, which will be sent to you in a separate email. (Editing test may be waived at the Board's discretion.) You will have a week to complete this.

Detailed Job Description

The Anthology Editor will be responsible for all aspects of selecting submissions, editing these, and laying out the content in an 8½ x 11", two-column format.

The SCN Publications Committee will provide oversight and backup during this process and may assist with certain aspects of the Anthology Editor's job, by prior arrangement.

The Editor's duties include the following:

Download submissions from the SCN website;
Acknowledge all submissions by email;
Check that authors are currently paid-up SCN members and that they are currently in a writing circle or reading circle;
Create a system for keeping track of submissions, authors' contact information, and the status of each story as it moves through the selection and editing process;
Select the stories and poems to appear in the anthology to give a selection that is geographically diverse and hangs together as a whole;
Make sure that each author has no more than 2 pieces included in the anthology;
Decide on any section titles and divide stories among those sections;
Copy all stories into a Microsoft Word template document (provided by SCN) and clean up and apply Styles to the text prior to editing;
Make minor edits as necessary, using the Story Circle Style as a style guide;
Contact authors as necessary about any major editing and get their approval;
Send out regular emails to all authors (using BCC) to keep them informed of progress (approximately every two weeks);
Lay out the stories in Publisher (or Word, if the Editor is unable to use Publisher);
Select graphics (with appropriate permissions) to break up the text, in consultation with the Anthology Coordinator;
Add the table of contents and write an introduction and acknowledgments;
Arrange for authors and SCN volunteers to proofread the issue in a timely manner;
Create PDF proofs, email these to authors and proofreaders, and track that all corrections have been received;
Make last minute corrections to the text and layout;
By May 1, email files to anthologycoordinator@storycircle.org. SCN will arrange for printing and mailing.

Time Frame of Work

Submissions will begin coming in to the SCN website beginning January. The volume of submissions will increase throughout January and February, especially right before the deadline of March 1.

From February 1 to May 1, the Editor will work roughly 10-15 hours per week.

Expected Scope of Work

In 2005, the Anthology Editor was Carolyn Blankenship, who has experience editing in Word and doing layout in Publisher. She estimated that she spent a total of 60 hours communicating with authors, selecting stories, and compiling the print edition. A lot of this time was spent on emailing the authors who submitted stories. All submissions came by email. In 2005, the Editor selected 54 pieces for the print edition from a total of 87 submissions; in '06, 48 pieces were selected from a total of 66 submissions.

Call for Submissions

The call for submissions will be appear in the e-letter and the same submission rules will be used as for the 2008 anthology. See the submission rules here.

Honorarium

This position pays a small Honorarium of $500 plus a one-year free membership to SCN (National) and a one-year free membership to the Internet Chapter if desired. This free membership will begin in 2009 on the Anthology Editor's next membership renewal date.