Keli H, the current CEO of The KREST House, and author of the 400 series (The Four Hundred Club and Splitting an Empire) was invited to Emeris College, Westville Campus, for a guest lecture. Emeris College is what previously used to be known as Varsity College and Vega Schools in South Africa.
The lecture was opened up to students and staff from the Faculty of Humanities. The hour-long session focused on discussion of skills needed to work in the publishing industry – more specifically as an editor, as many of the college’s final year media and communications studies students hope to pursue this line of work. Several of the students also expressed aspirations of becoming published authors themselves.
What was most highlighted during the lecture is that being an author and being a publisher are actually two completely divergent career paths, despite the assumption of commonality. Many aspiring authors go into publishing thinking it will be a leg up to their future book. The reality is that while editors need sharp understanding of storytelling and language, their real duties lie in leadership.
An editor’s role is to talent manage another writer’s authorial skill, not use their own creative writing prowess to create a new work. Editors lead an author through the entire publishing process from start to end – sometimes beyond, as the editor involves themselves in post-publication marketing. Additionally, they lead the production team of graphic designers, layout specialists, proofreaders to create a final finished book. Everything needs to stay on schedule and motivation needs to be kept high, to get everyone to put out their best work. Ultimately, being an editor or publisher is about platforming others’ written works, not about showcasing one’s own talent.
“The publishing industry is littered with disillusioned individuals who watch everyone else launch a book before themselves,” Keli H revealed.
More about the topic of authors vs editors in publishing can be found on Keli H’s article on authors in publishing fields.
The students left feeling equipped for future careers as editors – or authors.
The KREST House is a storytelling empire on a mission to share the most inspiring stories in the world – or simply, a highly bespoke publishing house based in Durban, South Africa. If you would like to publish your book under The KREST House banner, visit the KREST Publishers page on our website.