A Much-Needed Pep Talk For Editors During a Chaotic Time in the Publishing Industry

May 27

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I don’t know about you, but I could use a pep talk right about now. Things are feeling bleak in the editing and publishing industries, not to mention everything else going on in the world.

If you’re currently feeling defeated, bitter, exasperated, or annoyed about the state of our industry right now, you’re not alone.

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge what we’re going through in this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast. Listen in for a pep talk from yours truly, along with how I’m staying hopeful and focused through the muck.

Hey there, edibuddies. I don't know about you, but I am in desperate need of a pep talk. Things are a bit bleak in the editing and publishing industry right now, not to mention, you know, everything else. But I wanted to take a beat to acknowledge that and share how I'm trying to stay focused and hopeful through all the muck.
Welcome to The Modern Editor Podcast, where we talk about all things editing and what it's like to run an editorial business in today's world. I'm your host, Tara Whitaker. Let's get to it.
Welcome back to the podcast. I did a podcast episode back in November of 2023, which feels like a lifetime ago, about running an editing business during tough times, and I recently got inspired to go back and re-listen to it.
And number one, unfortunately, not a whole heck of a lot has changed in between then and now. And two, some things just feel a bit heavier. So I wanted to do an updated version of that episode because I know a lot of editors are currently feeling defeated, bitter, exasperated, annoyed, et cetera, about our industry right now, particularly around the use of generative AI.
So we're gonna talk about it a bit today. And just to be clear, it is extremely easy and valid to feel down about a lot of shit right now. And when you're in an industry that has always had to fight for our purpose and legitimacy and importance, it can feel extra heavy right now.
I don't know what has been going on that has created this influx lately, but there are all of these, quote, "editors" coming out of the woodwork that are charging rates that are so absurdly low that they would be comical if they weren't so harmful.
I don't know where it's coming from, and it usually is attached with an explanation of, "Well, I care about indie authors," or "I care about my clients," or "I just wanna be affordable." And I get that editing isn't in every author's budget, and some editors are not in some authors’ budgets. That's totally fine. But when you undermine the entire industry or kind of, for lack of a better term, shit on professional editors to boost your own business, that's something else entirely.
And then, of course, we've got generative AI. And, you know, it's coming at us left and right. It's being shoved down our throats. We're getting, you know, threatened of, "Oh, you'll be left behind," or "You're never gonna be able to find work without generative AI in it," and da, da, da, da, da. It is exhausting as fuck. I am exhausted, too.
If you're in that same boat, here is what I have for you. I hope it helps even a tiny bit. I'm not here—I'm definitely not saying I have all the answers. I definitely don't. But I know that I go through a lot of emotions lately, and so I wanted to share what I keep reminding myself of in the hopes that it will help you at least a little bit.
Because editing has been, and most likely always will be, a profession that is underpaid and undervalued and overworked. I mean, I've been doing this fourteen years, and it's been that way all of that time. I'm going to hazard a guess that people who have been doing it far longer than I have would probably agree with me. And without going too far down a rabbit hole, most professions that are traditionally held by a majority of women are always undervalued, underpaid, and overworked.
So we can work toward making that less of a thing for sure. I just don't know if it's ever going to fully go away, and maybe that's the pessimist in me. But gosh, if that ever becomes a thing, I will be the first person to admit that I was completely wrong.
So how do we cope? How do we cope with all of this stuff coming at us from a million different directions? One option that I do want to mention is to not be an editor. Not saying that you shouldn't be, but acknowledging that that is a valid option. I have seen editors change professions or pivot a little bit, and there is nothing wrong with that. It is an option. So I don't ever want you to feel guilty or like you failed or you quit or anything like that if you do ever decide to change your trajectory, because it's okay.
Like, many of us didn't start out as editors. We came from lots of different professions. We pivoted from those to become editors, so there's nothing wrong with pivoting from editing into something else. So I just wanna make that perfectly clear.
Now, if you want to keep being an editor, like I do, here are some of the things that I've been doing or reminding myself. Number one is a biggie that I say to myself every day. Have the same audacity as the man in the US federal government that is adamant he teleported to a Waffle House. The bar is so low, y'all.
And the world needs, desperately needs people who aren't absolute fucking idiots doing good work. So we're gonna have that same audacity. Imposter syndrome? Don't know her. Scared of being made fun of or getting rejected? Oh well. Within what our brains can handle. We all, you all listening, if you're listening to this podcast, I know that you have so much more to offer than that person. It's so much more, it's not even funny.
So we are going to have the audacity, the audacity to do things. Might be scary, might be, you know, full of ups and downs, but we're just gonna have the audacity because we don't have another option right now. The bar is so low.
Number two, every industry goes through its ups and downs. Every industry, every freelance editing business. We are in a down right now with the industry, with the US economy, with gas prices, with generative AI, with all the things. We are getting pummeled left and right, and it is exhausting, and it is frustrating, and we need people to put up the fight. Put up a good fight. We can take turns. We can do this in whatever way works for us, but we keep going.
And remember that, yes, there are downs, but there are also ups, and we will get there. I wish it was a little sooner than later, but, you know, we can only do so much.
Number three, there will always be authors, writers, clients out there who value what we do. It might get more difficult to find those people, for sure, but they do exist. And I just keep thinking about the people that are out there who are in alignment with how I'm running my business, and I imagine the stories and the words that they have to share and how maybe, just maybe, I will get the honor of being a part of that. That helps keep me going. There's nothing cooler than that. And I think that feeling is only going to get stronger as we continue to see how the world evolves with generative AI.
Number four, I have always said that community is important. If this is your first episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, know that I talk about community a lot because I believe in it. I see it inside the Freelance Editors Club every day. But when it comes to industry lows, like what we're in right now and fighting against things that we don't believe in, community really, really, really comes into play.
And cliche and overused as it may be, we are 1000% better together, and it is going to take all of us working together to keep our industry not only alive, but thriving. And while we can all individually do, you know, things that we feel called to, it's when we come together that it's really going to exponentially make a difference. So find your community wherever that may be, and you'll see the fruits of your labor go farther.
Number five. We have to keep educating ourselves through legitimate and experienced professionals and organizations. I've seen another influx lately, and I think that it is 100% with good intentions, but it's along the lines of, "Hey, I've been a freelance editor for two months, and now I am qualified to mentor other editors on the intricacies of running a business."
Now, we all have advice and wisdom to share, and we don't gatekeep it. We share it freely. You know, there's no barrier, like, to any of that. But what I'm saying is, just like there is AI slop and just like there is misinformation running rampant out there, there's also this manufactured expertise from people who have been doing something for a hot second, and now they're like, "Oh, well, I am now qualified to, you know, advise, mentor, coach every other editor who has even thought about starting a business."
Just be careful where you get your information from. I'm not saying don't listen to people who haven't been editors for very long. Just be careful. Just keep an eye out for, you know. We all have knowledge. We all have skills. The one thing that we cannot rush, the one thing that we cannot manufacture, is the expertise that takes place when we spend time doing the thing. All right?
And last but not least, keeping hope alive. And this is the one that I struggle with the most. I know it kind of sounds blah, but sometimes I feel like throwing my arms up in the air and just yelling, "Fuck it" and going and doing something where I don't have to explain my worth over and over again.
Some industry where, you know, you don't have to explain why your rates are the way they are and why you do things this way, and do you really care about authors because you have to earn a living wage and da, da, da. I go down, you know, a little bit of a pity party there.
But then I remember how much I absolutely love what I do, the people I work with, and just the overall importance of editors, especially now. We're all allowed to feel icky and dejected and hopeless sometimes. That is totally valid. I'm right there with you. The important thing is that we feel those feelings, and then we make the best decisions we can for ourselves.
If that means switching things up a bit, great. If it means pivoting to something else, great. If it means digging your heels in deeper, great. Like, whatever it is that you feel called to do, that's what you need to do. But the world needs us in whatever way we decide to show up, and remember, having that audacity.
So I hope that helps you in some small way if you're feeling at all similar to how I'm feeling right now. If you're not feeling the same, maybe keep this episode tucked in your back pocket in case you do start feeling a little hopeless, a little irritated.
Like I said at the beginning, I will not pretend I have the answers, any or all. But I do have the privilege of being able to be around lots of other freelance editors and recognizing when we're starting to feel some things, and we're all starting to feel the same things. And I wanna try my best, as always, to acknowledge and guide to the best of my ability.
So in the meantime, keep learning, keep growing, and know that I see you, I respect you, and I appreciate you.
Thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode. If you enjoy The Modern Editor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts or wherever you consume podcasts. And don't forget, you can head to TaraWhitaker.com to connect with me and stay in touch. We'll chat again soon.

The Current (Meh) Landscape of the Editing Industry

A few things are going on in the editing community that have had me down lately:

Editors popping out of the woodwork and charging comically low prices that undercut professionals
Generative AI being shoved down our throats and being told we’ll be “left behind” if we don’t get on board

One of the reasons these issues are so frustrating is that editing has always been an underpaid, undervalued, and overworked profession, and sadly, it feels like it’s just getting worse. I don’t have all the answers, but after fourteen years in this business, I have a few reliable practices that help me maintain hope as I trudge through the roller coaster of emotions.

How to Cope With These Challenges

The most obvious way to stop feeling defeated as an editor is to simply stop being an editor. I know that sounds extreme, but it’s a valid option I’ve seen former editors take throughout the years. It’s okay to pivot your career and use your skills elsewhere; it doesn’t mean you’ve failed as an editor.

If you want to keep being an editor, you need to find ways to cope with the current challenges. Here are some reminders that help me:

Every day, I tell myself to have the audacity as a man in the US government who is adamant that he teleported to a Waffle House. Imposter syndrome? I don’t know her. 😅
Remember that every industry goes through ups and downs, especially in freelance industries. We’re in a down season right now, and it’s exhausting, but we need people to put up a good fight against the forces against us.
There will always be authors, writers, and clients out there who value what we do. It might be more difficult to find those people, but they do exist.
Community is always important, but it’s especially helpful in times like these.
We have to keep educating ourselves through legitimate and experienced professionals. Be careful where you get your information.

Keeping Hope Alive

I know it feels hard, and this advice sounds cliché, but it’s crucial to keep hope alive during difficult times. There are times when I want to throw up my arms and say, “Fuck it” and allow myself a little pity party. It’s okay to feel through all of your emotions.

However, after that, I remember that I love what I do and the people I get to work with. I fully embrace the importance of good editors, especially right now. Allowing myself to feel all my feelings helps me continue to show up with audacity.