The Subversive Copy Editor, Second Edition
Advice from Chicago (or, How to Negotiate Good Relationships with Your Writers, Your Colleagues, and Yourself)
Second Edition
9780226240077
9780226239903
9780226240107
The Subversive Copy Editor, Second Edition
Advice from Chicago (or, How to Negotiate Good Relationships with Your Writers, Your Colleagues, and Yourself)
Second Edition
Longtime manuscript editor and Chicago Manual of Style guru Carol Fisher Saller has negotiated many a standoff between a writer and editor refusing to compromise on the “rights” and “wrongs” of prose styling. Saller realized that when these sides squared off, it was often the reader who lost. In her search for practical strategies for keeping the peace, The Subversive Copy Editor was born. Saller’s ideas struck a chord, and the little book with big advice quickly became a must-have reference for copy editors everywhere.
In this second edition, Saller adds new chapters, on the dangers of allegiance to outdated grammar and style rules and on ways to stay current in language and technology. She expands her advice for writers on formatting manuscripts for publication, on self-editing, and on how not to be “difficult.” Saller’s own gaffes provide firsthand (and sometimes humorous) examples of exactly what not to do. The revised content reflects today’s publishing practices while retaining the self-deprecating tone and sharp humor that helped make the first edition so popular. Saller maintains that through carefulness, transparency, and flexibility, editors can build trust and cooperation with writers.
The Subversive Copy Editor brings a refreshingly levelheaded approach to the classic battle between writers and editors. This sage advice will prove useful and entertaining to anyone charged with the sometimes perilous task of improving the writing of others.
In this second edition, Saller adds new chapters, on the dangers of allegiance to outdated grammar and style rules and on ways to stay current in language and technology. She expands her advice for writers on formatting manuscripts for publication, on self-editing, and on how not to be “difficult.” Saller’s own gaffes provide firsthand (and sometimes humorous) examples of exactly what not to do. The revised content reflects today’s publishing practices while retaining the self-deprecating tone and sharp humor that helped make the first edition so popular. Saller maintains that through carefulness, transparency, and flexibility, editors can build trust and cooperation with writers.
The Subversive Copy Editor brings a refreshingly levelheaded approach to the classic battle between writers and editors. This sage advice will prove useful and entertaining to anyone charged with the sometimes perilous task of improving the writing of others.
Read the introduction (PDF format).
Carol Saller also blogs and tweets.
An audiobook version is available.
200 pages | 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 | © 2016
Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing
Library Science and Publishing: Publishing
Reviews
Table of Contents
Preface to the Second Edition
Introduction
Part One
Working with the Writer, for the Reader
1 The Subversive Copy Editor
2 The Good Launch
3 Working for the Reader, through the Writer: Carefulness, Transparency, Flexibility
4 When Things Get Tough: The Difficult Author
5 The Misguided Martyr; or, Laying Down Your Life for the Serial Comma
6 Dear Writers: A Chapter of Your Own
Part Two
Working with Your Colleagues and with Yourself
7 When Things Get Tough (the Sequel): The Dangerous Manuscript
8 Know Thy Word Processor
9 The Living Deadline
10 That Damned Village: Managing Work Relationships
11 The Freelancer’s Quandaries
12 Things We Haven’t Learned Yet: Keeping Up Professionally
13 The Zen of Copyediting
14 You Still Want to Be a Copy Editor? Breaking In
Further Reading
Acknowledgments
Index
Introduction
Part One
Working with the Writer, for the Reader
1 The Subversive Copy Editor
2 The Good Launch
3 Working for the Reader, through the Writer: Carefulness, Transparency, Flexibility
4 When Things Get Tough: The Difficult Author
5 The Misguided Martyr; or, Laying Down Your Life for the Serial Comma
6 Dear Writers: A Chapter of Your Own
Part Two
Working with Your Colleagues and with Yourself
7 When Things Get Tough (the Sequel): The Dangerous Manuscript
8 Know Thy Word Processor
9 The Living Deadline
10 That Damned Village: Managing Work Relationships
11 The Freelancer’s Quandaries
12 Things We Haven’t Learned Yet: Keeping Up Professionally
13 The Zen of Copyediting
14 You Still Want to Be a Copy Editor? Breaking In
Further Reading
Acknowledgments
Index
Be the first to know
Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!