@meredithnudo Hi Meredith! You already sound well on your way.
If you've already edited a writer, and are also putting together an anthology of your own, those are the two best ways to get hands-on experience and have something tangible to show for it at the end.
@meredithnudo Especially putting together your own anthology will give you a chance to hone pretty much every skillset an editor needs:
organization, project-budget-time management, people management, creative guidance, schedule making (and enforcing) production troubleshooting, artistic guidance, proofing and print production.
It's the full package.
@meredithnudo Most importantly (I think) is that it allows you to gain experience in the most important editing skill: creative guidance without interference.
Or rather, how you can work with many different creators, with you as a kind of conductor of an orchestra, to create art and stories around a central theme (say, a sci-fi, romance or horror anthology) and still provide room and air for their personal flourishes and inspirations.
@meredithnudo Hope that answers some of your questions?
As an English Masters degree holder with copy editing experience you're already way more qualified than I was at the start.
If you love comics, stories and creating that unique kind of art that can only come from collaboration and communal inspiration, then comics would be lucky to have you.
@sgirner That answered all of my questions and more. Thanks so much for taking the time to outline everything. It's super appreciated.
I have actually thought about an anthology before, and even talked about it to a more established editor a few minutes ago.
@meredithnudo Anytime and you're welcome! I think Anthologies, while having fallen out of favor in the mainstream market, have a huge potential in indie and self-published comics, and as a means of promoting new talent in all fields.
My first-ever comics writing gig ever was actually for a kickstarted comic anthology (Fearless Future) and the editor, Chris Robinson, got hired by Marvel soon after publishing it.
Keep me posted. Happy to help where I can!
Sebastian Girner
Meredith Nudo