Do you want to be a textbook editor when you grow up? Do you know what they actually do? Last year, I participated in a talk organised by The Hong Kong Academy of Gifted Education. The talk invited a textbook editor to tell us about the secrets of being a textbook editor. Let’s see if it is your dream job!

1. Do textbook editors always sit in their office?
   They usually sit in the office initially. However, there is promotional work so they have to go to schools and tell teachers about the textbooks’ features. Visiting schools is exhausting because they sometimes have to rush to several schools in one day.
2. Apart from typing words for textbooks, what do they do?
   I would say textbook editors are like an octopus dealing with many things at one go. Apart from designing the textbooks, they have to contact writers to submit their work. Also, they have to contact some designers to design books. They have to ask for permission for some photos in the book to see whether the photos can be shown to the public. Apart from that, they have to follow up with the writers’ work.
3. If the writers cannot submit their work on time, what will the editors do?
   If a writer cannot hand in their work before the deadline, editors will book a hotel room for them. After that, the writer is forced to finish his work in the hotel. It will be very stressful. As you can see, being a deadline fighter is a challenging task. Don’t be a deadline fighter if you want to become a textbook writer.
4. Do textbook editors work individually?
   No! They work as a team. As I have mentioned, they have a lot to do. Frankly, it is impossible to work alone to tackle all the jobs.
5. How can the textbooks be published?
   When the editors have prepared textbook samples, they will submit them to the EDB (the Education Bureau). After that, they have to wait for approval. When checked, the EDB will reply to the publishers about their textbooks. The editors have to check the results (approved, or make some amendments if disapproved). If the samples are approved, they will be listed on the EDB Recommended Textbook List. Then, some schools will buy them according to the list. Before submitting the textbook samples, the editors must make sure the samples are flawless. Otherwise, they have to re-do a lot of things if the books are disapproved.
6. Which personalities are required to be a textbook editor?
   You have to be very cautious about what is written as well as being diligent and responsible. Don’t forget that you work as a team. You have to be friendly with writers and designers. You have to be brave and well-organised to present your textbook samples to teachers!

Being a textbook editor is easier said than done. However, if your work is approved, you will have a sense of accomplishment! Also, you will find interesting facts that help you learn as you work.

Cover photo credit:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-looking-on-a-tidied-desk-2781814/