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The Copy Editor

Bliss Cochran

How to Make Your Copy Editor Happy

Have you been thinking of submitting a column, article or story to T-Zero Xpandzine? A professional-looking manuscript inspires the Copy Editor to want to read it, rather than giving her a headache. Do articles that give copy editors headaches get published? I wouldn't count on it.

Here are some format guidelines that will help lighten the Copy Editor's workload and allow her to grasp what you have to say. These guidelines will also be helpful for submitting to other online publications, and most of them are also applicable to print publication.

• You've learned HTML and know how to present your work in 18-pt. purple type with italics on cerulean blue background. Congratulations! However, this does not mean you must show off your fancy formatting when sending your writing to T-Zero. Save the bells and whistles for your website, and just type your online manuscript in plain black type (Arial, Helvetica or similar), single-spaced, and no larger than 12 point. If there are words you really want in boldface or italics, just indicate so with asterisks on each side of the words or phrases and add a note at the beginning so we'll know your intentions.

• Don't indent your paragraphs. Instead, double-space between paragraphs, and start all lines flush left. Justifying, centering and such are unnecessary too, since this work will be done by our HTML expert after the Copy Editor has applied her red pencil (figuratively speaking) to your work.

• The Copy Editor loves spell-checking devices and hopes you'll use yours. She is aware that some misspelled words will get by a spellchecker (wear vs. ware, etc.), and is willing to correct those, but she appreciates the efforts of writers who take the time to fix their own spelling.

• If you're a serious writer, you must eventually learn the difference between "it's" and "its," "effect" and "affect" and other words that are misused all the time. You can look them up in Strunk & White's Elements of Style, which deserves a place on every writer's desk.

• If the Copy Editor has suggestions regarding content for an article that go beyond basic spelling, formatting and grammar, she will contact you, the writer, with them, prior to publishing. She will not presume to rewrite your article.

• Please be sure to provide your name and, if you like feedback (who doesn't?), your e-mail address as well.

The Copy Editor will provide other guidelines in future issues of T-Zero, as they occur to her. Your observance of these simple rules will not only reduce her reliance on headache remedies, but make you a much more professional, and publishable, writer.