Editing Fiction: Three Case Studies from Post-war Australia

Editing Fiction explores the collaborative efforts of literary production and editorial practice, using case studies by Australian novelists to highlight the importance of collaboration in literary criticism. It examines the editorial process, including negotiations over edits for the sake of the work, and the responsibilities of editors and publishers to authors, the text, and society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Rewritten text:
Editing Fiction delves into the intricate realm of literary production and editorial practice, recognizing their collaborative nature. It explores the collaborative efforts of Australian novelists Jessica Anderson, Thea Astley, and Ruth Park through case studies. The emphasis on collaboration is crucial, as literary criticism often treats books as singular, discrete creations, overlooking the intricate tapestry of multiple contributors and their varying degrees of engagement. The editorial process, a dynamic negotiation, considers the work's potential reception and projected sales, shaping its final form. Through an examination of archives, this Element reveals that editing can be a transformative force, shaping the work's direction, limiting its scope, being driven by commercial considerations, fostering literary collaboration, or a combination of these interventions. It sheds light on the past practices of editing, examining the responsibilities of editors and publishers towards authors, the text itself, and society at large. Additionally, it explores the interconnectedness of editorial work, social conditions, and market forces, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape the art of editing in the contemporary world.

Weight: 86g
ISBN-13: 9781009017794