What has become of the editor's role?
Have editors become marketing and product managers who have too little time for the text?

This by former bookseller and editor, Stuart Evers, he is now a writer, Guardian blogger and reviewer. He lives in London.

This week, after a decade of snappy reporting on the curious world of the book industry, Joel Rickett steps down as deputy editor of the Bookseller. But in a strange and unusual move, Rickett isn't moving to Broadcast or Media Week - the usual destinations for journalists on such publications - but to a high-profile literary imprint in a specially created editorial director's role.

On the one hand, there is much to be applauded in Viking's decision to give Rickett a chance. He's smart, erudite, knows more about the trade than just about anyone and has the right kind of temperament to thrive in such a role. On the other, it rather sums up a seismic shift in what it actually means to be an editor. These days, experience of shaping, honing and bringing out the best in an author is unnecessary to land a high profile role: all you need to be able to do is identify the product.

The full blog story here.