Love Words? Than This Job is for You!

Have you ever wondered who helps prepare the stories you read in magazines? Editors work behind the scenes to make sure articles are clear, interesting, and ready for readers. Hannah Drewieck, an assistant editor at the Adventist Review, shares what her job is like and how kids who love writing can use their talents for Jesus.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. 

My name is Hannah, I’m 26, and I was born and raised in Wisconsin. After college I moved to Maryland to work at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. I started at Hope Channel International, but now I am an assistant editor at the Adventist Review.

What does an editor do?

A lot of reading and typing. I’m usually emailing back and forth with authors, brainstorming their topics or providing feedback on their drafts. Once the author is done writing and I have their article in hand, my role of editing begins. I look at the big picture—Does the structure make sense? Does it flow well? Will readers find it engaging? Will it unite and uplift Adventist church members?—all the way down to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Did you always want to be in communications when you were a kid? 

For a long time I wanted to be a gymnastics coach. And then a teacher. And then an engineer. But in college I really loved all my writing classes, and it wasn’t long before I found my passion for journalism.

Do you work alone, or do you have a team? Can you tell a little bit about what they do?

Adventist Review has a whole team, and each person plays a critical role in sharing our content. Editors work with authors to prepare the articles. Designers and artists create the beautiful covers and illustrations for the magazines. Technology and digital experts ensure that our website runs smoothly. And behind the scenes, other team members handle the logistics of printing and distributing our magazines around the world. We even have a news journalist who travels internationally to collect stories!

What skills are important if someone wants to be an editor someday?

Attention to detail really matters. Your eyes have to catch the little things, such as missing commas, spelling mistakes, or sentences that don’t quite make sense. Another important skill is helping people tell their story well. Many authors have meaningful experiences to share, and an editor helps shape the words so readers can understand and be inspired by them.

What advice would you give kids who love writing?

Don’t stop! The more you write, the better you will become. And read as much as you can. Reading helps you learn what to say and how to say it when it’s your turn to craft the words.

How can kids use their writing talents for Jesus?

You can use writing to share God’s love. When you write stories, letters, or messages that are kind and encouraging, your words can help others learn about Jesus.