Once again I find myself apologizing to you, my readers, for the pathetic posting performance this week here at LENNDEVOURS. You see, there is this little project I’m working on — editing the next issue of the Long Island Wine Gazette — that has been sucking up all of my evenings.
Before taking over the LIWG, my only "real" editing experience was as the assistant sports editor of my college newspaper, and that was a short-lived appointment. I wrote a story about how Cal Ripken’s consecutive games streak was bad for the Orioles, about twenty angry letters arrived and I was asked to step down.
Of course, I’m also an editor of sorts at my day job…but it’s software marketing. Not even in the same ballpark.
So, this has already been a real learning experience. Lessons learned already include:
- Editing takes forever — certainly much longer than I anticipated
- Author voice is important to me, but I find that I constantly need to remind myself not to impose my voice on their stories
- Working remotely with a layout person in Rhode Island, consulting editor in Virginia, ad sales person in the Hudson Valley, is a challenge but not that bad if you work at it
The issue is really shaping up and I think it’s going to be a good one. I’ve got some great new writers contributing and it’s been fun to work with them.
Another thing: Several of you have already contacted me about how you can subscribe to the LIWG. It is published four times a year and if you’re interested (because they don’t have an online process yet) send me an email and I’ll put you in touch with the right person.
By the middle of next week, I should be back to "normal" (am I ever normal?) and I’ll definitely post some new tasting notes over the next few days. I’ve been tasting some interesting wines of late.