Editors review and rewrite the work of others. The responsibilities vary with the kind of publisher and the type of editorial position. Editorial duties include planning the content of books, technical journals, trade magazines, and other general-interest publications. Editors offer comments to improve the work. They may also oversee the production of the publications. Editors examine proposals and select material for publication or broadcast. They also review a writer's work for publication.

An executive editor oversees assistant editors, who are responsible for specific subjects. Executive editors have the final say about what stories are published. Managing editors are responsible for the daily operation of the department. Assignment editors decide who will write about what. Copy editors review and edit the writer's text for content, grammar, and style.

In small organizations, such as publications departments of nonprofit or government agencies, one editor may do everything or share responsibility with just a few people. Executive and managing editors hire writers, reporters, and other employees. They also negotiate contracts with freelance writers.

In the publishing world, the entry-level position is that of editorial assistant. Editorial assistants, along with copy editors and production assistants, review text for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and they check manuscripts for style and conformity with editorial policy. They might suggest revisions to improve clarity. They sometimes conduct research for writers to confirm facts and dates. Production assistants arrange pages in their final form and get the material ready for printing. Publication assistants who work for publishing houses may also read and evaluate manuscripts submitted by freelance writers.