Editrix
by Ann — Age 37 — Mankato, MN
I’ve always wanted to be a Madam but not in a feminist social justice public health kind of way. I like the idea of hot classy clothes and velvet couches. Red lamps and candles.
My favorite part, the most important, would be delighting the client. I’d invite them to sit across from me at my imposing mahogany desk. We’d chat briefly and they’d confess their preferences, and I would take notes and nod. Then I’d tear up the thick vellum page and they’d gasp, and I’d go on intuition and be right every time.
I’d consider my available staff and match the client with the perfect Miss or Mister. Or some of each — oh, I’d be creative! And the client would know from my reputation not to protest. They’d go home so happy. And my staff, my smart funny robust and swanky talent pool, would take pride in being part of such fresh, primal, artful work.
What I do, instead, is work as an editor for a university. I hire a lot of freelance photographers and writers. And I know their strengths — a story for the alumni magazine needs a dramatic nighttime photo of Old Main, streetlights aglow? Kenn. A brochure needs a wide-angle high-energy shot of students strolling together, smiling, laughing like they mean it? John.
Sara can take the driest, dullest faculty news and write it up like it’s the most exquisite almond torte. AmyJo has the best rhythm. Nick’s the most elegant, the gentleman, careful about his craft. Rachael goes deep but better when she’s personally invested so I try to give her stories that light her up. Joe always says yes and always delivers–the best was when I had him do promo copy for the somewhat lesbianic and militant feminist Women’s Center, and he wrote so strong and deft that the director cooed.
My desk isn’t mahogany, it’s one of those modules installed by Office Solutions but I did get to choose the color, so I went dark. I said no to an Office Solutions guest chair and instead found an old yellow leather one that had been stashed in the university’s surplus shed. It’s a good conversation starter when my clients are stiff and nervous. For some of them, it’s their first brochure. Candles are against university policy but I light one sometimes anyway, and my fluorescent lights are always off.
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