The Subversive Copy Editor, Carol Fisher Saller
The Subversive Copy Editor, Carol Fisher Saller
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The Subversive Copy Editor
Advice from Chicago (or, How to Negotiate Good Relationships with Your Writers, Your Colleagues, and Yourself), Second Edition

Author: Carol Fisher Saller

Narrator: Pamela Almand

Unabridged: 5 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Vibrance Press

Published: 07/30/2019


Synopsis

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In this second edition, Saller adds new chapters, on the dangers of allegiance to outdated grammar and style rules and on ways to stay current in language and technology.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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Brian on October 15, 2020

Looking beyond the printed page, Saller offers her experience dealing with the people issues, the organizational problems, the priority setting or the negotiating skills needed to stay sane in an editing career. In general, she's a force for greater social and emotional intelligence in the field.......more

Goodreads review by Beth on June 25, 2010

This is a fun and witty book -- however, for anyone with significant editorial experience, it's probably less copy editing guide and more pep talk. Unfortunately, after reading it, I discovered that I couldn't point to many specific tips or tools I gained along the way. (I had a stack of stickies wi......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on January 26, 2015

Loved it. Lots of great advice for editors who need to learn to tame their inner OCD tendencies, as well as justification and advice for dealing with problems that editors face on a regular basis. It was funny, informative, and useful. Definitely a keeper for me! I can't wait to get my own copy to m......more

Goodreads review by Sarah on August 20, 2010

Copy editing: don't go crazy, in every sense of the phrase.......more

Goodreads review by maddy on December 07, 2022

read for editing and proofreading class ok sooooo this was good in theory but bad bc i had the worst busywork of my life attached to it. Pretty insightful when it came to copyediting and i actually learned some things about the process that i didn’t know before!......more