September is be kind to editors and writers month

September is Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month which was established in 1984 by Lone Star Publishing.  This is a time for editors and writers to show uncommon courtesy to each other and to enhance the awareness of the general public concerning the importance of writing and editing.  

The appreciation for writers is common and often shown throughout the year by fans, and if they are big money makers, possible even the publishers and agents.  However, the general public, if not an avid fan, should be aware of the hard work involved in being a writer and likewise an editor.  

For a writer it is not that easy to put fancy words on paper and call it a story or an article. It takes a great deal of creative thinking as well as research and education. Once the story, novel, or the article is written and edited, the hard part comes when the writer attempts to market his or her work. Then there is the promoting and constant education that a writer/author must continually do to keep their readers’ attention.                                                                

For editors the job is even more difficult.  An editor not only must read and reread manuscript after manuscript, but they must repair spelling, punctuation, solve grammar problems, and sometimes even suggest reorganizing the structure of what has been written.  Yet these are just a few of the many talents of an editor whose true job is to make the writer’s book look good. 

So What can you do for your favorite editor or writer this month?  Other thans a kind word of appreciation, here are a few tips:

• Sharpen all the pencils in the house;
• Buy them a special set of nice pens, red for the editor;
• Stay off the computer when they need it;
• Give them some alone time to work or research or read;
• Get them a gift certificate to their favorite book store or magazine subscription such as Writers Digest;
• Buy them a supply of healthy snacks and drinks;
• Get them some special stationary from a place like Cafe Press to show them you realize their work is important;
• Read a book and appreciate all the work that went into it not just from the writer’s part but also from the editor’s labors as well.

For articles about some local authors see: www.examiner.com/x-17190-Jackson-Literature-Examiner~topic347233-All-about-Authors

and also: www.examiner.com/x-17190-Jackson-Literature-Examiner~topic286699-Mississippi-Authors-in-the-news