Day 2, I was put to copy editing manuscripts again which was more than fine by me. Picking up my confidence I was flying through these books, weaving through narratives, getting lost in personal histories, even speaking in the authors voice myself. I loved every minute of it. The office staff are so friendly and approachable at the publishers that if I had any concerns or questions, I didn’t feel silly approaching them.
On this day, I found out why the office is usually so silent. During one of the edits I was tasked with, a member of staff received a telephone call from a boiler company. It was only then that I realised that not many telephone calls were taken in the office – the telephone was wireless, and most staff members would take the telephone call into the waiting room outside.
Suddenly the silence in the room made perfect sense. Attempting to hear the words being read from the screen in front of me while having that one telephone call going on beside me was extremely difficult. I found myself reading the authorial voice of the text in rhythm to that telephone call. All of a sudden, the non-fictional story of the ladies’ hike was portrayed through a tele sales manner of loud voices and over enthusiastic interruptions.
With all members of staff spending vast amounts of time reading books, essays and other texts, it is vital that the noise pollution in the building is minimal so these creative professionals can concentrate.
I enjoyed, most of all, just having this glimpse into the working lives of editors and publishing professionals. Just on day two I knew how much passion I have for the publishing process and the working cogs that hide away behind the printing of these marvellous books. Especially non-fiction stories as these are people’s personal stories, their unique voices and their sharing of truths.
REDSMITHS and ROBINS 