Cultivating a trauma-sensitive approach in your editing practice: The OTMAR Method

Many professional book editors work with authors and manuscripts depicting or involving explicit and disturbing content, including disclosures and descriptions of trauma. These editors play an important role in facilitating the publication of trauma narratives, thereby simultaneously enabling the voices of trauma survivors to be heard and supporting their healing and empowerment in the process.

Editors are beginning to recognise that their work in this space exposes them to occupational hazards such as vicarious trauma, re-traumatisation and burnout. Much can be done to mitigate these risks, through prevention and cultivating a trauma-sensitive approach in editorial practice.

The OTMAR Method was developed by Renée Otmar PhD, an IPEd Distinguished Editor and Janet Mackenzie Medallist who has lived experience of trauma and decades of experience in the writing and editing of trauma narratives. The guide includes discussion of key concepts and explores risks and risk mitigation in editorial practice, including self-care and engaging professional support.

This guide is suitable for editors at all levels of experience who are working on long-form manuscripts in subgenres including:

–Life writing, such as autobiography, biography, memoir, family history, organisational/institutional history

–Professional writing and editing for public enquiries and institutional communications

–Creative non-fiction, fiction and hybrids, such as exposé, autofiction and heritage fiction.

ISBN 978-0-6485886-5-8
102 pages, wiro-bound