06/01/2026
Technical editors have a reputation.
Several years ago, my uncle, who was working for a huge cybersecurity company, told me I should get into technical editing. He continued to describe them as the “badass editors” of the profession—the ones wearing leather jackets, riding motorcycles, and making the software engineers nervous. He thought I could be one of them. LOL!
In this episode, I put that theory to the test with technical editor Jess Stampe. As it turns out, Jess actually rides a motorcycle, which led to a few laughs about the stereotypes surrounding technical editors and the people who choose this fascinating niche. We discovered that there are two types of technical editors: the ones who come from a tech background and the ones who fell into this profession.
But beyond the motorcycles, we dive into the important work technical editors do every day. We discuss how they help experts communicate clearly, why accuracy alone isn’t enough, and what it takes to break into technical editing.
If you’ve ever wondered what technical editing really looks like—or whether it’s a niche worth exploring—this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a field that deserves far more attention.
Listen now at piquepublishing.com/podcast.
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