The job of an editor

This diagram was shared recently over a pint (or two) with a senior editor at a university press. Such authoritative instruction obviously deserves to be shared. (I have added the letters to label the diagram.) Legend:A + B: the universe of academics in a particular subjectB: the part of that universe of academics with viable research projects*: the few projects which are any goodC: the publishing house, awaiting feedingD: potential customers for the book (some of whom will have accessed the research online) Looking at the entire field of people active in the field of study in which the editor is seeking to sign books we can see a whole bunch of people who are not involved in any kind of research. Among those writing something there are a few, represented by stars, whose projects are important, and who thus are the targets of our editor. The editor’s job is to sign up as many of these as can be caught. The way a skilled editor goes about their fishing is basically what makes an editor…