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>
> How do you deal with editors who fight over
> every sentence even though their own grasp of
> style and structure is on the shaky side, issue
> "orders" instead of guidance and reasoned advice,
> and are convinced of their own "authority" even
> when they are clearly in the minority--or even just
> plain wacko?
>
Your comment reminds me a story that Fred Pohl, the science fiction
writers, tells about a magazine editor in the Fifties. Frederick
Pohl and Cyril Kornbluth, his collaborator were very annoyed
because this editor seemed fond of essentially meaningless changes,
such as changing characters' names, a practice that some fiction
writers compare to a dog leaving its mark on the lamp post.
At any rate, Pohl eventually took on an editorship of his own. When
the first editor sent him a story, Pohl and Kornbluth sat down and
deliberately changed everything they could, even down to destroying
some jokes, until each page was practically indecipherable for all
the red ink. (Historical note: in the pre-computer world, this would
be especially rude, since a writer would have to retype the story
before submitting it to another magazine).
Then they handed the manuscript back. A little later, they had a
phone call from the editor. "You know I'm a professional, Fred," the
editor said. "I can take criticism. But - Jesus, Fred!"
I don't know if the editor mended his ways as a result, But revenge
was obviously sweet, since Pohl was still retelling the story three
decades later.
--
Bruce Byfield, Outlaw Communications
Contributing Editor, Maximum Linux
604.421.7189 bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com
"Willie was the golden boy, possessed of style and grace,
Where another man might fold his hand, he found the extra ace,
Willie he turned rotten in some secret, ugly way,
Now I look in children's faces, I see Willie."
- Garnet Rogers
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