sherrymims.com » copy editor

Nerdy posts I write my readers

Sherry — Wed, 11 May 2011 04:48:16 +0000

One night while designing 2A with “People & Places” in mind, I looked on the Entertainment wire — a system whereby we ”pull” articles from the Associated Press — and read an article by Chicago Tribune reporter Mark Caro on actor Rob Lowe’s new book.

Obviously, this reporter has been a copy editor, or rarer yet, a sympathizer:

Still, Lowe, a relaxed conversationalist with an easy smile and blue eyes that really pop in person, stressed he had no political goals in mind while writing “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” (which, if he’d had a strict copy editor at Henry Holt, would have been called “Stories I Tell Only My Friends” — and, really, is that “Only” even necessary?).

Love it!

Jumpy copy editor

Sherry — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 07:07:15 +0000

My friend Bonnie, who deserves her own tag now because she sends me the coolest links, sent me a link in an e-mail with the subject line of “I will remember this the next time i see you…want you to be your best!”

Throw small projectiles at your copy editor now and then. A jumpy copy editor is an accurate copy editor.

Huh. So that’s why we used to throw those Florida Press Club stress balls at each other all the time!

‘Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven’

Sherry — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:03:46 +0000

That’s really the title of the book I reviewed in today’s paper. I highly, highly recommend this book by Susan Jane Gilman for you travelers out there. (What did you think of it, Jessica?) For why I feel that way, check out my review ‘Heaven’ chronicles 2 women’s gripping trip from hell. (Review should be up until July 5.)

Also, I want to direct you to The Onion, which in addition to its hilarious Michael Jackson headlines, documents a copy editor’s revenge:

“So, when he described the carburetor warmer as a ‘twentieth century’ invention, I decided to leave the copy untouched and let him deal with the consequences of his actions. The fucker.”

Yes, why NOT join the Grammar Police?

Sherry — Sun, 17 May 2009 06:00:10 +0000

Who says all ads are bad? I perused my boyfriend Amir’s aviation-related Web site (Pilot’s Cafe) and spotted this gem:

It reminds me of my last night in London, where to my horror and my best friend Jessica’s, we spotted BAD ENGLISH.

Staff Are Not ALOUD (sic) In The Kitchen becomes Staff Are Not Allowed In The Kitchen.

It was in a restricted area, but I braved it. I wouldn’t be a copy editor otherwise.

This wasn’t my last foray into Grammar Police territory. Oh no! Earlier this week, I had lunch with fellow copy editor Rich at a delicious but spelling-challenged restaurant. I had to fix “lucious” into “luscious.” Naturally. However, I didn’t take a picture of it. I do want to eat there again

What spelling/grammar errors drive YOU nuts? Have you ever changed a sign? If so, you might just be a candidate for Grammar Police!