Catching up with a copyediting crusader
November 20, 2012 § Leave a comment
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to interview Fred Vultee, a journalism professor and American Copy Editors Society board member. He conducted a study examining readers’ perceptions of edited and unedited news articles. We talked about his research and what it means for the editing craft (spoiler alert: it isn’t going anywhere).
It was awesome to pick Fred’s brain about his research design and methodology (haven’t done that since Wooster), and really exciting to learn from someone helping prove that editors’ jobs really do make a difference.
Portions of my interview with Fred are up on the Dragonfly blog today—check it out.
Five things I learned at ACES
October 30, 2012 § Leave a comment
- Readers notice when web content isn’t written professionally, study shows. Guess that means we get to keep our jobs.
- When you put 50 editors in a room and ask them to agree on style, things don’t end well. I’ve never seen people more excited about commas (it was awesome).
- Copyeditors should care about SEO. And sometimes, word choice has ethical implications. During the 2008 Proposition 8 decision in California, the Los Angeles Times used the term “gay” marriage (rather than its more politically correct sibling, “same-sex”) to appear higher in Google search rankings.
- Editors don’t have to know everything. But they do have to know where problems hide (both grammatical and stylistic), and know where to look for solutions. I’m not sure whether to be relieved or intimidated by that.
- No swag bag is complete without a BET Networks pen/highlighter combo. Oh heck yes.
D.C., here I come!
October 24, 2012 § Leave a comment
I’m headed to Washington, D.C., this weekend for a conference of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES). Titled “Editing Boot Camp,” it’ll be a refresher course for editors old and new, and a chance to meet others in the field. And since it will be my first-ever professional conference, I’ve been counting down the days until it starts.
I’m excited to hear Dragonfly’s own Samantha Enslen as one of the featured presenters, and meet the other Dragonfly editors coming in to town. But I’m also a little nervous: what should I bring? What should I wear? Will I have time for some lightning-fast sightseeing in between conference obligations? (Can I fist-bump the President before the big election?)
I’ll find out soon enough. See you at ACES!
Oh, Reverse Dictionary, how I love you.
October 17, 2012 § Leave a comment
I can’t remember how we first met, but I know how quickly we fell in love. Before you, I was stuck, knowing the definition of a word but not its precise name, like “happening every two years” or “duck-billed mammal.” Thesaurus couldn’t give me what I needed. Then you came along and filled in the blanks. We’re always finishing each others’ sentences (okay, you’re finishing mine). Of course, sometimes you give me utter nonsense—but that’s okay. I love you all the same.
Now, nestled safely on by bookmarks toolbar, we’ll never be apart again.
How did I ever live without you?
25 Everyday Things You Never Knew Had Names
October 10, 2012 § Leave a comment
In the same vein as last week’s post, here’s BuzzFeed’s list of “25 Everyday Things You Never Knew Had Names.” The picture above, in case you’re wondering, is a ferrule, “the metal part on a pencil.” Enjoy!
MARY GABLE 