The Fine Art of Copyediting

by Elsie Myers Stainton

Book Overview

Many stylebooks and manuals explain writing, but before the release ten years ago of Elsie Myers Stainton's The Fine Art of Copyediting, few addressed the practices and problems of editing. This handbook has guided users through the editing process for books and journals, with tips on how to be diplomatic when recommending changes, how to edit notes and bibliographies, how to check proofs, and how to negotiate the ethical, intellectual, and emotional problems characteristic of the editorial profession. Now featuring solid advice on computer editing and a new chapter on style, as well as more information on references, bibliographies, indexing, and bias-free writing, The Fine Art of Copyediting, Second Edition offers the same wealth of information that prompted William Safire to commend the first edition in The New York Times Magazine. Complete with helpful checklists for the manuscript, proof, and index stages of book production, as well as an excellent bibliography of reference works useful to the copyeditor, The Fine Art of Copyediting, Second Edition is an indispensable desk reference for writers and editors confronting a host of questions each day. Why use the word "people" instead of "persons?" What precautions are necessary for publishers to avoid libel suits? How can an editor win an author's trust? What type fonts facilitate the copyediting process? How does computer editing work? For experienced and novice copyeditors, writers and students, this is the source for detailed, step-by-step guidance to the entire editorial process.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0231124783
• ISBN13: 9780231124782
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.7" x 8.8"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Brilliant Reference Book

No other book is needed than this abundant source of answers. The scope goes beyond what one can usually obtain from other books of this nature. I imagine it's indispensable for authors and wish that it were for reference librarians. (Based on their answers, I don't believe that to be the case.) Although not laid out as a textbook, it IS a textbook -the most comprehensive that I've yet seen.

A Wonderful Book with a Refreshing Approach

This well-crafted book focuses on the details of copyediting and as a bonus gives advice on human relationships in the editorial process. Well-written, insightful, concise, and punchy, this compact book provides a novice with the basics of copyediting and is a useful and fun review for old hands. I recommmend The Fine Art of Copyediting highly.

Just the book I need

This lively and informative book is the one I always turn to as a ready reference. Stainton has the light touch and the right touch. She is alert to the real problems facing the editor. No wonder William Safire comments on back cover: "I recommend The Fine Art of Copydeiting."

A Very Useful Book

I'm a fan of THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE, but this book about "the fine art" is an excellent supplementary help. I'm an old hand at editing and I recommend it highly. Here, thank goodness, is a book to introduce you to the business of editing. I found information on all aspects of the profession. The details on editing procedures and the examples of notes, etc., are particularly helpful. Surprisingly, the concise manual of style in this book tells all you need to know to start right in editing.