A question about co-writers

[Carolyn]

Hello, NTWF!

So, another user offered to critique and edit the work of other writers and in return asked if they could be listed as a co-writer. Now, I edit and critique quite often, but never ask for the main writer to list me in return.

To ask this question on that user's behalf: is that an acceptable practice?

Thanks!

[Kristykimmy]

I've seen in the past, people listed as co-authors because they edited it for the real author not being awarded the trophy, even when the real author asks. Unless you actually co-wrote, or you came up with the idea and the other person wrote your idea, it doesn't seem to count.

As a matter of politeness, I make sure to leave a note thanking the person at the beginning of my story if I had help editing or someone gave me a critique.

[Deleted]

What Kristykimmy said. Editing and critiquing, while an essential part of the writing process, is not co-writing. It works the same way in the real world: editors don't get their names on the front cover along with authors (except in very rare situations, such as if an author dies before completing a work and their trusted editor finishes it to the best of their ability, but even that's iffy). But they do get thank-yous on the acknowledgements page.

It would be nice if editors of NT writing got some form of official recognition for their work, but as it is, writing for the Times is essentially a non-profit activity. You do it because you love it, not for the expectation of an award.

Like Kristy said, though, if you want to do a service to your editors/beta readers, you could insert a small foreword or afterword. While they won't get a trophy, people will see their usernames and might go to them for editing/critique in the future.

(Although, if someone out of the blue offers their editing services in return for you inappropriately listing them as a co-author so they can get a trophy... that's a little cheesy.)

[Ian Wolf-Park]

Editing is not the same as writing, as @surfersquid mentioned, so I cannot see any reason why an editor would be allowed to be listed as a co-author. It is kind of sad that some people would stoop this low in order to get the trophy and/or avatars as they're attempting to leech off of the author's goodwill

[Carolyn]

Thanks everyone. I thought this to be the case, but I wanted to confirm it before I told them more. But yeah, I too think it's kind of leeching off of the main writer, but I didn't want to hurt their feelings.

Like, I do it because I want to help people, not to be rewarded or recognized. *shrug* To be completely honest, I would feel bad being listed since I didn't write the story/article, they did! It just wouldn't feel right. At all.

Anyway, I'll let them know now. Thanks again, all!