The Art of Proofreading (from the archives)

I thought about writing this newsletter about the Elizabeth Gilbert mishegas, but I find it too depressing, and there’s not really a take on it that isn’t absurdly obvious. And I’ve been asked some questions about proofreading recently, so I thought I’d bump up this gem from the archives, also an excerpt from my book about publishing.

During my two decades as a college professor, I commented on scores of student essays. I did so confidently and authoritatively. I was never one to focus on grammar and punctuation too too much—for me, the ideas should always take precedent—but I would circle and annotate all the errors I found.

When I started editing professionally, I quickly lost my nerve. I know myself enough to know I would never be a great proofreader. One thing I am not is fastidious, so I could not be trusted to proof a lengthy, professional publication, as opposed to a research paper for ENG 404.

Michael Jauchen was my answer. I don’t even remember how Michael and I met, but he has…