An Editor’s Guide to Wrestling with Writers (and Bad Copy)

The editorial relationship isn’t always the smoothest.

Virtually every editor has done it: spent weeks waiting for what’s they know is likely to be a less-than-polished draft from a “volunteered” writer, technical expert, new staffer, or untried freelancer.

All you’re hoping for is an acceptable draft–something we can work with, anything at all — in your hands by the due date. The article finally arrives — at the last possible minute, in what can be described only as battered shape. You rush into transformational mode, trying to turn a research painfully packed into ingrown paragraphs into something publication-worthy.

But, despite your best efforts, the odds are against you. A deeply flawed and incomplete draft unravels easily at the seams. It’s probably too late to go back to the author for rewrites — and besides, this dog of a draft might be theirbest shot.You probably lack the original sources, time, or background to do a great job of rewriting. So you end up running the copy mostly unedited, despite your embarrassment.

When this happens over and over, editors have to fight against burnout and pessimism. How can you inspire or — if you must — prod your pool of writers to turn in better work? How can you prevent stressful rush…