South Australian independent publisher, Brascoe Publishing, has returned the first interim report on their online survey.
Writers, the report reveals, are more interested in resources about effective self-editing, and in resources that can help them once they already have a manuscript completed, than they are in learning the nuts and bolts of punctuation or of moving ideas forward. More importantly, writers want to get these resources on a free or share-and-share-
The report also indicates that writers have a poor understanding of what editors do and how editors can help them. A common response to the survey was that writers are concerned that using an editor would result in a manuscript that is less their own, and more the shape that somebody else would like.
Despite these results, the interim report also indicated that writers seek editorial assessments with detailed, critical feedback.
These results are significant because they show that while editors are in business to help writers, the very nature of their practical business is misunderstood. It also shows that editors are seen as a good source of constructive criticism, the feedback of which can help writers to develop their work.
Such a result indicates that writers don't necessarily want to work with an editor collaboratively to help improve their work, but that they do want constructive criticism that can help them to further their work on their own.
Editors societies around Australia will find these results of interest, because it might indicate that in focusing on the improvement of the profession's standing, they will miss the mark if writers' opinions are not taken into account.
The Brascoe Publishing Survey is still open, and will remain so until 14 May 2008. To access the survey, head over to their blog at http://www.brascoebooks.com.au/
All respondents to the survey have the opportunity to WIN up to 25% off any Brascoe Publishing service of their choice.
