When you read a novel, do you spend time worrying about what sections are 'as written' from the author and which sections were cleaned up by an editor?
Yes, actually I do. Not often, but with increasing frequency.
My pet theory is that editors aren't as good as they used to be. Market pressure to publish faster and faster in a vain attempt to keep up with the internet means that fewer of them are given the time and support to get really skilled. Thus resulting in ham fisted edits that jar me out of reading flow, and thence to analysing why.
(This pressure operates the other way too. Many authors' works are pushed out the door when they should have had more editing. )
My pet theory is that editors aren't as good as they used to be. Market pressure to publish faster and faster in a vain attempt to keep up with the internet means that fewer of them are given the time and support to get really skilled. Thus resulting in ham fisted edits that jar me out of reading flow, and thence to analysing why.
(This pressure operates the other way too. Many authors' works are pushed out the door when they should have had more editing. )