There are many things you can do to make your college textbook supplement/ancillary project and your interactions with the textbook supplement editor go smoothly. Here are 5 of the most important:
1. Ask for what you need before you need it. Examples can be the old edition of the textbook, photocopies of page proofs, or PDF files of page proofs. Sometimes editors are off for the day, in meetings, on vacation, or out sick, so don’t assume they can provide you materials immediately.
2. Be available for e-mail or phone communication. If you are going on vacation or will be otherwise unavailable for two or more business days, let your editor know, especially if you are in a crucial period of the project where prompt communication is essential.
3. Answer all e-mails and phone calls within a reasonable time frame. This doesn’t mean you drop what you’re doing when an e-mail pops into your in-box; it does mean that you check e-mail two or three times a day and respond promptly to time-sensitive messages.
4. Listen to suggestions from your editor with an open mind and with a desire to keep her happy and to do a great job on the project. Don’t let your ego get in the way.
5. Always be pleasant, both in writing and in person.
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John I amu finding I am skilled at writing exam questions and I can reconstruct powerpoints very well. How do I get in touch with an editor to try and start this part of my career.
Hello Sabrina.
There are three main ways to find editors:
1. Company websites.
2. Textbook sales representatives.
3. Other supplements authors.
I cover all the details of finding editors and landing jobs in Chapter 3, “Getting the Assignment,” in my e-book Writing College Textbook Supplements. Click on the book cover on the upper-right side of this page for more details about the book and how to get it.
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