Partir del Punto 2019.

Elsa Aranzazú Blázquez Menes – Editorial 

A while ago, during a workshop about editorial processes, someone said that only a  few people are involved in the editorial trade by their own will, that a lot of people  end up doing it by chance, by necessity, or out of luck, due to the scarce  opportunities for its professionalization. This statement resonated with me because  I didn’t study Philosophy having the idea of focusing my work on the editorial field in  mind. I got to it out of curiosity because I wanted to pursue a personal hunch I had  been feeling for a long time -which in part was passed down to me and was  reinforced when I performed my social service activities at FCE-, and also due to the necessity of having professional and financial support beyond the one my studies could offer.  

Our generation suffers from the overdemand of professional experience at a very  young age, which is overwhelming and senseless. This is why Partir del punto is  such a unique opportunity; being an editorial trainee here has given me the chance  to grow professionally in a very pleasant workspace through direct instruction,  guidance, a ton of responsibility and, -it doesn’t hurt to say it-, a proper remuneration.  The experience I have today after a little over a year of working on the magazine,  has expanded my horizons in the editorial world, and has given me a sense of  personal certainty. It is true that there were some moments in which I felt  overwhelmed for the amount of hard work involved -It is a mistake to think of it as a  secondary activity- and because it is a magazine that carries a legacy of high quality  and tradition. However, the accompanying, teachings, patience, and trust deposited  in me by Carmina Estrada, as well as Eduardo Cerdán’s comradeship, have been  crucial to judge in my own criteria and expertise.  

In that regard, it is important to know that every editorial process is a collaborative  effort: therefore, it is essential to express ourselves clearly, and promptly. It is also  true that the best way to learn is by doing, by taking action; the manuals and guidelines feel empty until one is forced to face real cases, management constraints,  the needs and requirements of each different type of text, the unexpected setbacks  that must be solved rapidly, among other things. One of the most pleasant learnings  I have ever had has been supervising the printing process, which is an often  overlooked but necessary step to ensure the quality of the final product. Other  essential parts of being an editor include bringing the magazine to its readers,  developing public showcases, and having a direct relationship with authors, which  have been equally gratifying challenges to overcome.  

If I were to give any advice to whoever participates in future Partir del punto calls, It  would be to think thoroughly about the sections and their content taking into  consideration that every added element comes with a very specific workload, and it  is necessary to search for collaborators for each genre, which is no easy task. 

Another piece of advice is to manage time in a realistic and orderly way, always  having the habit of taking notes, and knowing exactly what hasn’t been done yet,  what needs improving, etc. Do not rely on your memory when there are so many  things to be done.  

Finally, always have the reader and the medium in mind. In a context in which there  are a lot of independent editorial initiatives, what can you bring to the table so that  this magazine can still be a distinguished one? 

Partir del Punto 

is an experience that  allows its participants to identify if they really want to dedicate their professional lives  to the editorial field. In my case, I have decided to keep knowing and exploring this  world, which has captivated me throughout my life.