News or periodical editors are responsible for the style and content of publications, and may oversee a whole publication or an individual section. Editors chair meetings to decide which articles will be included and how they will be laid out for publishing. There are specific editorial roles such as:

• specialist editing of a particular section such as features or sport
• sub-editor - checking and correcting articles, and writing headlines and captions
• copy-editor - checking articles for consistency and style
• production editor - overseeing the production process
• art or picture editor - responsible for a publication’s visual content.

Magazines use commissioning editors, who consider submissions for inclusion from freelance journalists, photographers and illustrators. Editors of local newspapers may help to write and sub-edit the publication, while on larger titles the role may be purely editorial. Some also have responsibility for other matters such as budgetary control, hiring staff and liaising with advertising and production departments.

Hours and Environment

Editors work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. In newspapers some shift-work may be involved.

The work is office based.

Skills and Interests

To be an editor you should have:

• a good command of English with strong writing and IT skills
• planning, organisational and staff management skills
• creativity and good visual sense
• financial skills and commercial flair
• some legal knowledge regarding the content of publications
• an eye for detail and the ability to implement change where necessary
• an understanding of target audiences
• negotiating and decision-making skills.

Entry

While there are no standard entry requirements, most newspaper and magazine editors are graduates and have wide experience in journalism. Some larger publishing houses offer graduate recruitment schemes. Editors of specialist titles usually need qualifications or previous experience in that particular field.

Degree courses in publishing, and multidisciplinary degree courses with publishing options are available, entry for which is usually via two A levels/Advanced Vocational Certificate in Education (AVCE)/three H grades and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent. Some courses may require additional examination passes in specific subjects, particularly English.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses.

Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

See the Journalism: print profile for further information on careers in journalism. Information can also be found on the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and Periodicals Publishers Association (PPA) websites - see Further Information section for contact details.

Training

Short and distance learning courses in various aspects of publishing are provided by organisations such as the Publishers Association and the Publishing Training Centre. See the Further Information section for contact details.

Opportunities

Competition for jobs is fierce in all areas of journalism, particularly on national newspapers and popular consumer magazines. The magazine industry is mainly based in London and the South-east.

Employment may be available with contract publishers who work with a number of different clients, and some large companies, particularly in the retail or service sectors which produce regular publications of their own. Many editors work on a freelance basis, and overseas employment is possible.

Experience is essential for promotion. A sub-editor may become the overall editor of a title, and local newspaper editors often move on to regional and then national publications. Successful editors may also progress to become editors-in-chief of a group of newspapers, or magazine publishers, although these positions are rare and depend on the size of the publisher. Commissioning editors may become editorial managers or directors, publishers, or move into specialist areas.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

A local newspaper editor would start on around £15,000 a year.
Section editors on magazines and newspapers can earn up to £30,000 a year.
Experienced editors and commissioning editors can earn in excess of £40,000 a year.

Pay scales vary depending on experience, position, and the type and location of employer. Freelance editors negotiate a set fee or daily rate.

Further information

45 East Hill
Wandsworth
London
SW18 2QZ
Tel: 020 8874 2718 29B Montague Street
London
WC1B 5BW
Tel: 020 7691 9191 Queens House
28 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6JR
Tel: 020 7404 4166 Bloomsbury House
74-77 Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DA
Tel: 020 7636 7014

The New Granary Station Road
Newport Saffron Walden
Essex CB11 3PL
Tel: 01799 544014