Penguin-Holt-Penguin

[Carvill John]

I've often wondered exactly what qualifications (literally or otherwise) are 
required for the role of editor. Maybe Quail could tell us? The question 
seems particularly difficult/relevant in the case of someone like Pynchon - 
to what extent would there be what the layman would usually think of as 
'editing'? What sort of iron-clad confidence would someone need, for 
example, to start crossing bits out, or even suggesting cuts or amendments 
etc.?

Cheers
JC