Bringing the Editor’s Craft to Life in the Classroom

For Tyler Balli, the most satisfying moment in editing comes when authors see their work in a new light. “When they look at your suggestions and say, ‘Wow, this is what I was trying to say but couldn’t quite get there’—that’s when you know you’ve succeeded,” he says. “You haven’t rewritten or taken over their creative process. You’ve helped them achieve what they were trying to do.”

This dedication to enhancing rather than overshadowing an author’s voice shapes Balli’s approach both as an editor at Ohio University Press and as an instructor in UChicago’s Editing certificate program. His journey to both roles began with a foundational love of reading and a desire to work with books professionally, which led him to pursue an editing minor during his undergraduate years. While completing a master’s in history, he continued building his editing expertise through internships and freelance work, eventually landing at Ohio University Press, where he also manages the freelance pool.

After many rounds of teaching Basic Manuscript Editing, Balli has discovered that guiding new editors through the fundamentals can be as rewarding as editing itself. His students range from publishing veterans to complete newcomers, creating a dynamic classroom environment. “I teach as though you’ve never edited before,” he explains. “But even experienced editors benefit from drilling deeply into The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS). I still look things up every single day when I’m working. This field requires continual learning.”

While his seven-week course serves as an intensive introduction to CMOS, Balli’s approach goes beyond just teaching the rules. “I try to bring in as many real-world examples as possible so that it isn’t just theoretical,” he explains. “We’ll look at actual editing challenges I’ve encountered in a variety of contexts, from scholarly work to fiction. The goal is to prepare students to exercise good editorial judgment for real situations they’ll encounter.”

What particularly energizes Balli is exploring the mechanics behind effective writing. “It’s like going under the hood and looking at this really granular level,” he says. “You’re examining how all these small things interact to create the effect an author is looking for.” This attention to detail, combined with an appreciation for creative expression, exemplifies what Balli sees as essential for modern editors.

The evolving landscape of publishing and language itself makes continual learning crucial. “English is always changing,” he emphasizes. “If you cling to what you learned years ago in college or high school, you’re not going to be an effective editor. You really need the mentality of a lifelong learner.”

This evolution extends to the industry itself, with new technologies and platforms reshaping how editors work. Through interactive Zoom sessions, students share experiences from diverse backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment. “When you see all these different people and where they’re working,” Balli notes, “it shows there are many ways to use editing skills, even outside traditional book publishing.”

For those considering the program, Balli offers practical advice born from experience: start with one course and see if it resonates. “The only way to know if it feels worthwhile is to experience it,” he says. Many of his students have gone on to secure freelance opportunities—concrete evidence of the program’s practical value in launching editing careers.