The Subversive Copy Editor

Photo: Elizabeth Fama

“Saller writes with wisdom and a great generosity of spirit in this singular survival guide to the copy editor’s trade. . . . An ideal complement to any style guide: practical, relentlessly supportive and full of ed-head laughs.” —Publishers Weekly Web Exclusive Review, Pick of the Week, starred review

“An insider’s book to cure writers . . . while shoring up editors. . . . Good advice.” —William Safire, New York Times

“I think Mr. Bernstein and Messrs. Strunk and White will find Saller to be good company.” —Jennifer Baldarama, New York Times

“This writer is giving me a fit.”

“My author wants his preface to come at the end of the book. This just seems ridiculous to me. I mean, it’s not a post-face.”

Are all copy editors locked in battle with their writers? In The Subversive Copy Editor , I suggest becoming “subversive” in two ways: first, in overturning the image of the author as the enemy, and second, in remembering that sometimes it’s okay to break the rules if it benefits the reader.

In encouraging copy editors to resist compulsions, banish insecurities, and develop habits of carefulness, transparency, and flexibility, my mission is to show them not how to copyedit, but how to survive while doing so.