My first experience supporting someone early in their career was as an adjunct professor supervising social work students in their master’s program. I realized I really enjoyed the teaching opportunities, particularly in unexpected clinical situations that arose on my job as an addictions counselor.
As a full-time book editor, I recently entered a mentoring program through my editors’ guild. So far, I’ve had great matches with my three mentees. I asked Roxanne Guiney, my most recent mentee, if she’d contribute to this article. Not new to editing, but wanting to increase her client base and explore developmental editing, she shared her experiences.
What about mentoring was most helpful or in line w/ your expectations?
The support and having a person to ask less common questions. I am at an awkward stage in my editing journey; I’m past the stage when I need common newbie information, but not yet experienced enough to have answers to most questions. I appreciated someone as experienced as Nancy being available to answer things I wouldn’t be able to simply google, such as “How do I handle or flag insensitive content without overstepping?” and “Was this unprofessional of me?”
Was there anything about the mentoring process that you didn’t expect?
I was expecting mentorship to involve more technical guidance, though I realize that’s not what I need. I’m already trained, and I’ve had enough copyediting experience to have tested those skills. Perhaps I was expecting more instruction, but I liked the conversational nature of the mentorship I received.
What would you say to folks considering it/suggestions for how to prepare?
Have documents ready, such as your resume and editing samples. Have a list of all of the editing books you have, including training books, so you can communicate what you’ve used to learn so far. Start a website if you haven’t already, so you’re ready to edit it according to feedback.
What Does the Mentor Gain?
My mentees have been surprised to hear I learn so much from them. But their “not knowing” provides new, different perspectives on things I’ve encountered in the thirteen years of editing. Their questions probably shake me out of patterns I may rely on too much.
If you decide to take the mentor plunge, be sure to begin with clear guidelines – both those a program director shares and those you establish yourself.
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