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Every Tuesday and Thursday I have the opportunity to work on manuscripts that are in the process of becoming books.
My boss invited me to attend weekly staff meetings where each department explains its individual part in the publishing process. This is a great honor, and accomplishes two things for me. The first is that I am able to understand more fully the entire process that a manuscript travels through as it is published. This past week I was able to see the seventh stage of a manuscript on its way to becoming a book, the Folded and Gathered Sheets. Every stage a manuscript moves through brings is closer to becoming a book, and the manuscript looks more like a book in every stage. However, in this stage, the manuscript really begins to look like a book. The pages are book-size and are sewn together in units. It was exciting to look at and flip through a set of F&G’s, as those involved in the process call them. In addition, the meetings help me understand how each department fits into the process, and what each department accomplishes.
The second reason I have found the weekly meetings to be beneficial is that I see everyone and everyone sees me. I was introduced to almost everyone the first week I was working, but there are a few people that I never run into in the office. It is nice to be included in the meetings because I am reminded of who works in the different departments. In addition, my presence reminds the staff that I am there.
I have completed at least a portion of the first six stages a manuscript goes through before becoming a book. When I receive a manuscript, it has already been accepted for publication by the Acquisitions office. I was able to work in the Acquisitions office for a week this semester, and I learned a lot about the process a manuscript goes through before it is accepted. Later this semester I will spend time in the other departments, like the Production and the Design departments, learning what happens in each department and what stages the manuscript is transported through there.
One of my favorite things to do is work with the photographs that are included in manuscripts. I have worked with the pictures of two different manuscripts this semester, and find it very enjoyable. I have checked that all the photos the author wanted included were there, placed the photos in order according to the manuscript, correlated the photos with the captions, and made sure we had photos or prints, depending on the author. I found this interesting and fun, and quite different from the normal copyediting I had done so far in the semester. I find every step of the publishing process to be interesting and gratifying. The photos provided a new experience and welcome break from working with words all semester, though.
Because I am not an actual editor, and cannot work on one project all the way through, I have not corresponded with any authors. However, this ability to move between different manuscripts has been an asset because I have seen different variations of things in each different stage. Had I followed one manuscript completely through the process and never seen another, I would not have the broader knowledge that I possess now. One of the books I have worked on has been one I have seen at almost every stage. I am looking forward to purchasing a copy when it comes out this summer. I will be able to look in the book and see the things I did to help it get from a manuscript to a published book.
Knowing that my work is actually helping to produce a book is thrilling. While I may never see my name in print, I will know that my imprints are throughout multiple books if I become a copyeditor. This internship has been great, and I am looking forward to working in the field.
- Kristin Crowe |
