The return of the copy edit


There are certain unspoken rules regarding the arrival and proper treatment of the copy edit.

Rule number 1:

The copy edit will always arrive when either a) the writer has a tremendous amount of other pressing deadlines or b) the writer is out of the country.

Rule number 2:

The amount of time allotted for the writer to review the copy edit will be in direct inverse proportion to the writer's other commitments.

Master these rules, and you too can become a managing editor, terror of publishing houses and small children everywhere . . .