nicolemhill's review
3.0
I agree with the other assessments I've seen: If you have practical experience as an editor, this is more of a pep talk than a true guide.
jberryedits's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
Finally got around to reading this. I'm a freelance editor and agree with other reviews that it's more geared to in-house editors. I learned a few things and am glad to have read it though.
ingridostby's review
3.0
As Mamet's book on acting is to ... actors, The Subversive Copy Editor might be a necessary evil/read for copy editors. There were enough points I deemed relatable and helpful that I would recommend it to other copy editors (the freelance section was worth reading it all). Her experiences are second to none and I most enjoyed her examples of what horrors her friends have gone through with writers and fellow editors.
Beware that at times her humor is inconsistent and you won't always feel a huge connection with the author/her narration. However, copy editors unite! Read this book. It'll do you good and does make helpful points at times. And it makes you feel like you're not the only copy editor dealing with these often absurd problems. But don't expect to walk away with a bunch of excerpts to ponder over later.
Beware that at times her humor is inconsistent and you won't always feel a huge connection with the author/her narration. However, copy editors unite! Read this book. It'll do you good and does make helpful points at times. And it makes you feel like you're not the only copy editor dealing with these often absurd problems. But don't expect to walk away with a bunch of excerpts to ponder over later.
bootlegdarklord's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
A decent guide for beginner copywriters but the attempts at humor didn’t really jive with me.
lisa_mc's review
4.0
I picked this up for work -- I am a copy editor -- but I really enjoyed reading it as well as learning a lot. The author touches on pretty much every issue we encounter as editors (she's in books, I'm in newspapers, but it's more or less the same stuff), presenting clear solutions and things to think about in regards to each one. The book is informative without being preachy, detailed without bogging down, and slyly funny to boot. Recommended for anyone in editing or book publishing.