Editor vs. the Machines is back (and way better).
Editor vs. the Machines is back (and way better).
We're ready for re-launch. Let the self-editing commence!
Good morning (or afternoon), ladies and gentlemen!
Thank you for sticking around, or joining, during the three-month hiatus while I figured out what to do with this site. I didn’t want to waste your time or mine with some kind of Mickey Mouse operation.
I’ve heavily revised (and re-edited, ha!) the introductory posts and restructured the content. Moreover, I’ve updated the URL to www.mbheywood.com, improved the graphics, and reworked the subscriber benefits. I’m confident that this community will now function better as a resource for you and a sustainable endeavor for me, compared to my original design. I want it to be a worthwhile experience for us all, right from the humble (re)start.
Below are links to the updated or brand-new intro articles, to catch up on as you have opportunity. I’ll schedule the help articles on specific editorial topics to begin posting next week.
Your adventures in editing begin here!
How do you know when writing is “good enough for now”?
Grammar for accuracy, Punctuation for clarity, Style for consistency
Phrasing for audience, Content for purpose, Story for resonance
Here are the current membership levels and perks:
1. “Freelancer,” or Gentle-folk Scholar (free subscription). Get access to articles on editing for grammar, punctuation, and general topics, with new articles posting weekly. Ask questions in comments or chat and I’ll give you the short answer or point you in the right direction. I may also consider your question for a future help article.
2. Journeyman Editor (paid subscription, only $5/month or $50/year). I offer new members a free seven-day trial of a paid subscription at the Journeyman level. Get access to all of the free grammar, punctuation, and general articles, plus weekly (and archived) paid-only articles about editing the many other points of style. (That includes topics as diverse as capitalization, numbers vs. numerals, and source citations.) Even better, you get to add your editing question to the weekly paid-only Q&A post. You’ll almost always get my answer or advice within twenty-four weekday hours (and usually, much quicker).
3. Master Editor (founder-level subscription, $100/year). For starters, as a Master Editor, you’ll get access to all the same weekly and archived articles as the other tiers. You’ll have the same access to the weekly Q&A posts as other paid members. Plus, receive additional weekly articles about the most complex and nuanced editorial topics—like selection and organization of content, fiction-oriented story elements, and phrasing. On top of that, every month (privately, by email) I’ll give you editorial feedback (up to 1,000 words) on a piece of your writing you send me (up to 5,000 words)!
For paid subscribers, the weekly Q&A page is open for business. Everyone is free to ask questions on any articles where you have posting privileges. (For free members, that will be introductory, grammar, and punctuation articles.)
For founder-level members, the monthly consult offer starts February 1.
And so the adventure begins. Thanks for being part of it—and for sharing with anyone else you think would benefit. Godspeed!
—M. B. Heywood