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I’ve been a big fan of Bradford Literature Festival for a number of years. It’s a bright spot in Bradford’s cultural calendar and I’ve written in the past about why I love it. In previous years I’ve usually attended a fair few sessions during the annual festival. I’ve loved the variety of subjects on offer, the chance to hear interesting (and well-known) speakers in some marvellous venues, and the opportunity to listen, learn and reflect – and often to be challenged. This year – as a result of the general uncertainty and a lack of organisation on my part – I attended only two events. But what this year’s festival lacked (from my point of view) in quantity, it certainly made up for in quality. Anita Rani
As a trailblazer – a South Asian woman in a predominately white male industry – Anita talked about the difficulty of negotiating various ‘spaces’ and having to curb aspects of her personality to meet certain expectations. She has clearly thought long and hard about the privileged position in which she now finds herself, about how she could – or should – use that position to carve a path for others, and about her regrets for not speaking out on particular occasions. Many of Anita’s reflections also touched on the personal sphere. She talked about food, family and weddings. She talked about how South Asian girls were mostly not encouraged to speak up, except on the topic of beauty. And she wondered how much the lives of women (particularly those from South Asian backgrounds) have changed since she was growing up. This was an entertaining and thought-provoking discussion. Anita’s book is now on my reading list. Rev. Richard Coles and Arifa Akba The setting for Sunday evening’s event was the magnificent ballroom at Bradford’s Midland Hotel. The topic – grief – was a more sombre one than Saturday’s, although there was plenty of light on hand, not least from the amazing chandelier that graces the venue.  Chandelier, Midland Hotel, Bradford Rev. Richard Coles and Arifa Akba were interviewed by Peg Alexander. These were two quite different stories, with some common threads. Richard Coles’ husband, David, died in December 2019 as a result of addiction to alcohol. Arifa Akbar’s sister, Fauzia, died in 2016 from undiagnosed tuberculosis. Both deaths were a shock, yet in some ways not really a shock, perhaps complicating the grief that these two authors have felt since. There were other common observations – and ones that anyone who has ever been bereaved will recognise. For instance, when someone dies there is a huge amount of ‘admin’ to deal with, sometimes lasting many weeks (or even months). This can, in one sense, be welcomed as something practical to focus on, but it can also be exhausting. Another aspect of grief is the baffling realisation that everyone else is carrying on as normal with their everyday lives, while you’re still dealing with the enormity of your bereavement. Richard and Arifa each reflected on what had helped them to deal with the grief they felt. As a widow, Richard didn’t appreciate being told by others how he should be feeling and behaving, but did value conversations with other widows who told him how they themselves had felt/behaved, without giving advice. Meanwhile, Arifa noted that the loss of a sibling isn’t as widely recognised as the loss of a spouse is, something that left her feeling rather adrift. Coincidentally, two of her close friends had also lost siblings, so Arifa was able to discuss her feelings with them. The two authors also discussed addiction and attitudes to it. David’s alcoholism wasn’t public knowledge, so many were shocked by his death. Richard described the strain of living with and caring for an addict: he often went without sleep so that he could make sure David was safe. Arifa described the complex issues associated with her sister’s eating disorder – a type of addiction – including the shocking negative comments made by a member of medical staff. Arifa and Richard touched on the way in which grief had affected their relationship with art and music, respectively. Fauzia was an artist who had created striking paintings and embroidered art. She had been deeply affected and inspired by the Sistine Chapel, leading Arifa to visit the Vatican after her sister’s death to share that experience and feel a connection with Fauzia. Richard and David had played music together, so Richard had avoided revisiting their shared music after David’s death because it was just too painful. Instead, he had decided to learn to play a new instrument: the accordion.  Arifa Akbar, Peg Alexander and Rev. Richard Coles There were some interesting questions from the audience. Had Arifa considered taking legal action for her sister’s undiagnosed fatal illness? She’d certainly discussed the possibility with a lawyer she knew, but decided not to pursue it in the end because of the time, effort, stress – and money – involved. Did the two authors feel that David and Fauzia had experienced a ‘good death’? Perhaps surprisingly, given the circumstances, both Richard and Arifa said they did. As it happened, this was the final question, and it was a positive note on which to end the discussion. And so ended my Bradford Literature Festival 2021. It was brief, it was bright, it was brilliant. I can’t wait for next year…
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When you’re building a career as a freelance editor or proofreader, it’s good to seek advice, right? The trouble is that, as with many situations in life, there’s no single ‘right’ way of doing things. A while ago I read a tongue-in-cheek blog post summarising conflicting advice on how to be a successful academic. It inspired me to think about the nuggets of wisdom that are often presented as undisputed truths to those seeking guidance about running an editorial business. Here’s my summary. 1. Devote plenty of time and effort to social media – but also don’t✅ Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram can be great for raising your profile, engaging with potential clients and building relationships with colleagues. ❌ But social media can be a real drain on your time and energy. How does it fit into your overall marketing strategy? Would your efforts be better directed elsewhere? 2. Rely on word of mouth to gain new clients – but also don’t✅ If people pass your name on to others, that’s great! It involves little effort on your part – other than ensuring you’re always providing an excellent service, of course. ❌ But it can be risky to rely on this as a strategy for finding work. What if the referrals dry up? How will you find new clients (or how will new clients find you)? 👉 Further reading: https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/word-of-mouth-marketing-for-editorial-freelancers-and-why-it-wont-work-if-youre-a-passive-marketer 3. Always charge an hourly rate rather than a rate per 1,000 words – but also don’t✅ With an hourly rate, you should – in theory – be paid for the time you put in. ❌ But a rate per 1,000 words (or per project) rewards the efficient editor who uses time-saving tools and techniques. It also means the client knows in advance how much the work will cost. 👉 Further reading: https://aceseditors.org/news/2021/what-type-of-pricing-structure-should-freelance-editors-use 4. Refuse to edit in anything other than Microsoft Word – but also don’t✅ If you’re skilled in using Word, it makes sense to focus on clients who use it. ❌ But you might be missing out on some interesting projects. Could you extend your skills into new areas [Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint] to tap into different markets? 5. Refuse to work for free – but also don’t✅ Working for free – often on the promise of exposure or further work, or for a client pleading poverty – is a mug’s game to be avoided at all costs. ❌ But if you’re looking for experience and the chance to practise your skills, perhaps for a worthwhile cause, you might gain as much as you ‘lose’ by volunteering your services. 👉 Further reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2018/05/14/when-should-you-work-for-free/?sh=7a229d58f556 👉 Also see this handy flowchart by typographer, graphic designer and lettering artist Jessica Hische: http://www.shouldiworkforfree.com 6. Always stick to your desired rates – but also don’t✅ Accepting low-paid work can leave you caught in a trap of working for less than you’d like. ❌ But a low-paid project can sometimes have other benefits (raising your profile, giving you experience, providing at least some income), so it could pay off. And a big project with a lower rate might prove more profitable than several smaller ones with higher rates, as there’s less admin and set-up time involved. 7. Only work on material within your own subject area – but also don’t✅ It’s great to carve out a specialist niche where you can apply your skills and expertise and feel comfortable with the subject matter. You can also market yourself as an expert. ❌ But restricting yourself to a niche can leave you high and dry if that market collapses. You’re also cutting yourself off from other subject areas and new types of work. And sometimes your perspective as a non-specialist can be valuable to the client, especially if the target audience aren’t experts either. 👉 Further reading: https://northerneditorial.co.uk/2016/03/25/to-specialise-or-not/ 8. Find your own clients rather than working through an intermediary – but also don’t✅ Working directly for your own clients allows you to quote the rates you want, set your own timescales and establish yourself as an independent professional. ❌ But you have to find these clients yourself. Working for an intermediary (such as an agency) takes the pressure off, marketing-wise, and can often provide a steady flow of work. 👉 Further reading: https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/who-finds-your-editing-and-proofreading-clients-for-you 9. Avoid showing your personality in the work environment – but also don’t✅ It’s important to present yourself as a serious professional who can be trusted to do an excellent job. Clients aren’t interested in your personality. ❌ But clients are individuals too. Their purchasing decisions can be influenced by personal factors, so there’s nothing wrong with showing your character if the circumstances are right. And finally… 10. Take advice and inspiration from colleagues – but also don’t✅ The editorial profession is a collegiate one. You should follow every piece of advice to the letter, while closely emulating other editors and proofreaders in running your business. ❌ But this will inevitably lead to frustration and burnout. By all means seek advice and observe how others run their affairs. Keep in mind, though, that not all advice will suit your situation (and a lot of it is contradictory anyway). What works for one person might not work for everyone.  👉 Further reading: Here’s the article that inspired this blog post, 10 steps to Becoming a Successful Academic – the definitive guide.
What conflicting pieces of advice have you been given? [With thanks to Laura Ripper for comments and proofreading.] Freelance editors and proofreaders: have you ever felt as though you’re ‘muddling through’ in your professional life? You’re not alone. The current situation has forced many of us to adjust our plans on a daily (hourly?) basis. But even without a pandemic, freelancers have to adapt to changing circumstances and come up with new plans and different ways of working. I’ve called this ‘muddling through’, but you could also call it flexibility, resourcefulness and ingenuity. Here are seven areas where this flexibility and resourcefulness will come in handy. It’s not intended to be a list of things to worry about! Instead, it’s a recognition of the creativity and pragmatism that many successful freelancers display. 1. Your initial business ideaMost of us start out with some idea of the work we’d like to do, or for which we’d be most suited. With my NHS background, I thought I’d be the ideal person to work on health- or HR-related material. However, my first publisher client specialised in non-fiction books for the general reader, so that was that – at least initially. You might have to review your initial business idea in the light of various factors:
If you’re determined to stick to your original vision, that’s fine. But it’s worth keeping an open mind about the direction you’re going to take.  2. Finding work and clientsAsk a group of freelance editors or proofreaders how they find work and you’ll end up with a list as long as your arm. Some take the direct approach, contacting potential clients with speculative enquiries. Others rely on word of mouth from professional or personal contacts, or repeat business from returning clients. Most find they need to be visible, whether that’s on their own website, through a directory or bidding site, or on social media. Networking can be successful for some. And then there’s the element of luck – the chance encounter with a potential client in an unexpected place (on a train, in the school playground, at a Zoom book club), or simply the ‘you happen to be just what we’re looking for at this moment in time’ scenario. It’s important to plan for finding work and clients so you can focus your efforts to best effect. But it also pays to be alert, flexible and ready to respond to new opportunities. To quote Louis Pasteur: ‘Chance favours the prepared mind.’ 3. Technical issuesOver and above the required editing and proofreading skills, it’s vital that you have a general level of technical proficiency. You never know when you’ll need to adapt. Yes, you might be a whizz with Microsoft Word and all its features and add-ins. But what if a client suddenly wants you to proofread a pdf or a PowerPoint presentation? What if you’re asked to work in Google Docs? It’s not about being an expert in everything. But it’s useful to be able to use a variety of tools when working on different projects. For example, you might copy text from a pdf into Word so you can use PerfectIt or your favourite macros. Copying a table of figures from Word to Excel can be a quick and accurate way of checking an author’s calculations (if that’s part of your brief). Then there’s ‘Maggying’ a corrupted Word document – copying everything except the final paragraph marker into a new document. And would you know where on your computer to look if you couldn’t find the document you’d been working on? It’s impossible to anticipate all possible scenarios and plan for them. But you do need to be able to think laterally if something unexpected happens – and to know when (and where) to seek help from others if you can’t solve the issue yourself. 4. Working hours Are you a morning person? Or do you do your best work while burning the midnight oil? It’s great to be able to choose your working times – and to decide how long you’re going to spend at work – but sometimes you might need to adjust things. How do you cope if you need to put in extra hours? Can your working space accommodate changes (for example, if you share the facilities with other family members)? How do you cope physically with doing a ten-hour day instead of your usual five hours? Again, flexibility is the key. You need to take breaks more frequently if you’re working longer hours. Are there some tasks that don’t require quite the same level of focus as others? If so, could you work on those when your concentration is waning (in the evening, perhaps)? Can you work somewhere else if need be? 5. EquipmentMost of us would admit that we take technology and equipment for granted. We carry on with our work routines assuming that everything will run as it should. But if disaster strikes, emergency action might be required. Saving your work in the cloud is sensible because it means you can access it from another device (if you have something suitable). If your internet connection goes down, you might have to use your mobile data as a short-term solution. Pre-pandemic, you might have chosen to de-camp to your local coffee shop and use their wi-fi, and we’re all hoping that’ll be possible again before too long. Home-based freelancers might even have kind neighbours who can help (a spare laptop cable here, some emergency printing there). While it’s useful to have a back-up plan (an old laptop you could bring back into service if your main computer fails, for example), it’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality. Again, it’s a question of thinking creatively, recognising when and where to ask for help, and knowing at what point to discuss the situation with your client if you’re not going to meet the deadline. 6. Personal or domestic emergenciesA sudden illness, a chronic medical condition, a relative needing help, unexpected childcare demands, not to mention burst water pipes and power cuts … these problems aren’t exclusive to freelancers (nor do they only happen during a pandemic). But if you’re working to a deadline, with no one else who can step in to do your work, situations like these can make things very difficult. Of course, some people choose freelancing precisely because it enables them to work around their personal circumstances, whether that’s their own health condition or their caring responsibilities for children, elderly relatives – or even pets. It’s when the unexpected happens that additional problems can arise. Once again, some extra flexibility is the key. Could you take a break from work and make the time up once the situation is resolved? Perhaps you can temporarily rearrange your working hours? Is there anyone who can help with childcare, even if it’s on a video call with your child while you work for a while? Freelancers often worry about telling their clients about emergencies like this, feeling that it might make them seem unprofessional. I’ve found that clients are usually very understanding about such situations, especially if you can suggest a solution (an alternative deadline, for example). And most clients would rather know you’re struggling, even if you end up not needing extra time to finish the work. After all, they’re human too! 7. Losing a major clientIt’s great when you’ve managed to secure plenty of regular, enjoyable work from a client who pays well and is nice to deal with. It’s not so great if that client suddenly disappears for some reason (bankruptcy, merger or takeover, taking the work in-house, etc.) and you’re left with a gaping hole in your work schedule. This is something that’s happened to me on a couple of occasions, and it can certainly feel like the rug has been pulled out from under your feet. Clearly, you need to respond, but how you respond will depend on your circumstances. Here are a few ideas:
So there we have it – a quick look at how a flexible, responsive approach will help in running your business. Yes, freelancing might sometimes feel like ‘muddling through’, but perhaps we should instead see it as being creative and developing resilience. That sounds much more impressive! Further readingDon't panic! How to stay calm in a crisis - CIEP blog – by Melanie Thomson Seven things freelancers know about time – by Liz Jones How freelance editing prepared me for working through the pandemic – and how it didn’t – by Liz Jones 2020: Lessons from the Longest Year – by Crystal Shelley Buck the trend: strengthening your business during lockdown – by Rachel Gristwood How to be lucky – by Christian Busch 
Many of us have been terribly disappointed over recent months when the inevitable has happened – an in-person event (whether that’s a summer fête, rock concert, conference or networking session) has been cancelled because of the pandemic. The upside is that many events have gone virtual, enabling people to attend events that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
And so it was that I signed up for the SENSE 2020 Conference. SENSE is the Society of English-language professionals in the Netherlands, and this year’s event marks the organisation’s 30th anniversary. The plan had been to hold the conference in Maastricht. If that had gone ahead, it’s unlikely that I’d have been able to attend in person. However, when it moved online, taking place over three afternoons in June, I decided to book a place. As it happened, the conference coincided with a confluence of deadlines in my work, something I’d have taken steps to avoid if I had been travelling to Maastricht for a few days away from my desk. As a consequence, I decided to concentrate on those sessions that seemed most relevant to my work as an editor. In this article I describe just six of those sessions, in an attempt to give a flavour of the conference and to illustrate its relevance to all language professionals. There are full details of the programme on the SENSE website. I’ve chosen to write up a summary and my impressions of the following sessions:
Be(a)ware of (round) brackets (especially ‘Dutch’ ones)! |
 Image courtesy of Research Retold | We considered the benefits of communicating research to different audiences outside the research community, and the various methods that could be used. Here are some of the key points that came out of the presentation by Research Retold’s founder, Mihaela Gruia, and the discussion that followed. |
Why is communicating research important?
- There’s evidence that a significant proportion of academic papers are never actually read.
- To maximise the impact of research, the findings need to be communicated so that they can be put into practice.
- With so much information and misinformation in circulation, it’s important that people can go back to the source to check the facts.
- Researchers often need to work hard to engage participants. Feeding results back to them helps to reinforce this.
- A great deal of research is publicly funded, so it’s only right that the findings are disseminated widely.
- Researchers can gain clarity on their own work when they have to explain it to others.
Tips
One technique for focusing the mind on the key aspects of a piece of research is to try to sum it up in 60 seconds – an elevator pitch, if you like.
The description should answer the following questions:
The description should answer the following questions:
- What problem did you address?
- How have you investigated it?
- Why should people care?
Different audiences
The starting point in communicating research is the intended audience:
- Who are they?
- Why do you want or need to communicate with them?
- Why should they care about your research?
- For policymakers, the information needs to be clear and concise, but with sufficient detail to convey the key points. Here, policy briefs and visual summaries can be appropriate.
Image courtesy of Research Retold
- For business and the private sector, visual summaries and infographics catch people’s attention. It’s important to keep the presentation simple and to the point.
Image courtesy of Research Retold
- For the media, a visual format can be appropriate, as can a more traditional media release. The Conversation is a useful outlet for researchers wishing to share their work with a non-research audience.
- For the general public, again, visual formats and media releases can work well. ‘General public’ might also include end users (for example, groups who will be directly affected by the research). Infographics and infocomics are eye-catching as well as informative, and they can be useful for storytelling.
Image courtesy of Research Retold
A valuable event
For me, this event was a valuable opportunity to discuss research communications with real-life researchers. In turn, the researchers seemed to appreciate the chance to think about why, how and with whom they should share their findings.
It was good to step back from the words on the page and consider the wider aspects of communicating research. Thank you, Research Retold, for providing a forum for us all to do this!*
It was good to step back from the words on the page and consider the wider aspects of communicating research. Thank you, Research Retold, for providing a forum for us all to do this!*
Image courtesy of Research Retold
*Special thanks to Mihaela Gruia for giving permission for all the above images to be used. All are taken from the Research Retold website.
Three years ago I was inspired to write my very first blog post after a trip to Tarragona in Spain. I’d attended the annual gathering of the Mediterranean Editors and Translators (MET) – the so-called MET Meeting (METM, pronounced ‘met-um’) – and this made me think about how international my work had become since I started freelancing.
This year, I decided it was time for a return visit. METM19 was in Split, Croatia, and I decided to combine the event with my annual holiday.
I spent a lovely few days acclimatising myself to Split and enjoying the wonderful weather. It’s a fascinating place with a beautiful seafront and plenty of historical interest (especially Diocletian’s Palace, which was built for the Roman emperor Diocletian in the fourth century AD and is now a maze of narrow streets full of homes, shops and restaurants).
This year, I decided it was time for a return visit. METM19 was in Split, Croatia, and I decided to combine the event with my annual holiday.
I spent a lovely few days acclimatising myself to Split and enjoying the wonderful weather. It’s a fascinating place with a beautiful seafront and plenty of historical interest (especially Diocletian’s Palace, which was built for the Roman emperor Diocletian in the fourth century AD and is now a maze of narrow streets full of homes, shops and restaurants).
 Statue of Grgur Ninski by Ivan Meštrović |  A street in Diocletian's Palace |  Bell Tower of Cathedral of Saint Domnius |
Split waterfront - the Riva
When it came to METM itself, my first activity was one of the ‘Off-METM’ lunches. These are small groups focused loosely on a theme (ours was ‘Feedback is a two-way street’), aimed at helping delegates to get to know one another before the conference itself. There were also various optional workshops that delegates could pre-book.
After lunch, we headed to the School of Medicine at the University of Split for the start of the official proceedings. To give you a flavour of the conference itself, I’ve briefly summarised the various sessions and presentations that I attended. Because MET is an organisation for both editors and translators, the programme featured some sessions that were relevant to one or other of these different professions, and some that were relevant to everyone.
After lunch, we headed to the School of Medicine at the University of Split for the start of the official proceedings. To give you a flavour of the conference itself, I’ve briefly summarised the various sessions and presentations that I attended. Because MET is an organisation for both editors and translators, the programme featured some sessions that were relevant to one or other of these different professions, and some that were relevant to everyone.
Can we make the world a better place? Realities, roadblocks and rewards for language professionals who work for philanthropic causes
Chaired by Valerie Matarese, this discussion featured Timothy Barton, Karen Shashok and Sandra Young talking about their work – both paid and unpaid – with various charitable or humanitarian clients. It was an interesting insight into how language professionals can apply their skills in different ways (and in different parts of the world).
KEYNOTE:
Translation and writing in a corporate environment: making it count in the C-suite
David Jemielity from the Swiss bank BCV described how he has worked to raise the profile of the bank’s translation department. The department now has a much greater influence on the company’s overall communication activities, rather than simply being involved in translating the finished version of the text: ‘Our quality test changed from “Is that a good translation?” to “Is that effective communication?”’
David stressed the need to offer solutions, not problems, and to show your clients that you follow their particular field (for example, the terminology that is used). Much of this advice was relevant to editors as well as translators.
David stressed the need to offer solutions, not problems, and to show your clients that you follow their particular field (for example, the terminology that is used). Much of this advice was relevant to editors as well as translators.
Friday’s proceedings came to a close with the welcome reception, at which we were treated to drinks, canapes and a Croatian speciality, soparnik (chard pie). This last item was a great talking point because of its size: it was very thin, but a couple of feet in diameter. Impressive stuff!
Soparnik (chard pie). Photo by Dana Szabados
Saturday dawned with yet another clear blue sky (this superb weather was getting tedious…) and I headed to the School of Medicine for a full day of METM activities.
View out to sea from the METM venue
Content marketing 101 for translators
Content marketing is a hot topic for editors and proofreaders, and one that has featured on the programme at previous Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) conferences that I’ve attended. Translator Maeva Cifuentes explained the concept and illustrated the benefits using the results of the content marketing activities she has undertaken for a client. She stressed the need to take a strategic approach and to evaluate results regularly.
Thinking of teaching a course on scientific writing?
Although I’m not thinking of teaching such a course, I found this presentation by Ann Bless really interesting. Ann described how she helps PhD students to improve their academic writing skills using a combination of guidance and peer critiquing. She included lots of salient points that were relevant for editors like me who work with individual academic authors. Ann’s book, Reader-friendly Scientific Articles, is worth checking out.
Building a language professional–academic co-working partnership
Translator Wendy Baldwin described her experience of LPACs (language professional–academic co-working partnerships). I’m familiar with accountability groups from the editing community, and these partnerships do seem to share some of the same aims. The idea of LPACs is that the partners meet regularly (either in person or virtually) to work on their own projects – whether writing, editing or translating. Each meeting starts with a sharing of goals for the session, and at the end of the hour the partners discuss what they’ve achieved, and whether they’ve met these goals. Wendy highlighted two main benefits of LPACs, namely the opportunity for knowledge exchange, and increased focus and motivation.
2019 MET General Assembly
MET council members at the General Assembly
As well as a review of MET’s activities over the year, the General Assembly included an announcement of the venue for MET20: San Sebastián in the Basque Country. If the applause and the exclamations of delight were anything to go by, this was a very popular choice.
The chair invited questions and comments from the floor. One of these prompted a lively discussion on the need to consider the environmental impact of future events, including everything from travelling to METM to using plastic cups and conference swag bags. Plenty of food for thought.
And speaking of food, the General Assembly was followed by a buffet lunch, at which we once again enjoyed soparnik (among other tasty dishes).
The chair invited questions and comments from the floor. One of these prompted a lively discussion on the need to consider the environmental impact of future events, including everything from travelling to METM to using plastic cups and conference swag bags. Plenty of food for thought.
And speaking of food, the General Assembly was followed by a buffet lunch, at which we once again enjoyed soparnik (among other tasty dishes).
Soparnik (chard pie). Photo by Dana Szabados
The pitfalls of comparison in scientific writing
David Barick used real examples to highlight problems with different types of comparison – both between variables in the results of a single academic study and between the author’s findings and those in the literature (where the tense used will be particularly important in drawing a distinction between current and previous research).
Preparing the winning quote – effective job estimates
Jenny Zonneveld In this comprehensive overview of what should be included in a quotation for a client, Jenny Zonneveld gave a detailed run-down of all the tasks involved at every stage of the process. She outlined the various factors to consider when preparing a quote, including the thorny issue of whether a fee per word, per hour or per project is appropriate.
Insights from 30 years’ collaboration: an analytical memoir from an author and his manuscript editor
Spanish clinician Jaume Canet has published many papers over several decades, and editor and translator Mary Ellen Kearns has provided editorial support for him throughout that time. In this presentation, Mary Ellen described the various stages of Jaume’s career, highlighting his prolific publication record and the types of support and input required over the years.
KEYNOTE:
The evolution of concision: editors’ role in changing English
Lynne Murphy's The Prodigal Tongue The closing keynote of METM19 was given by linguist Lynne Murphy, author of The Prodigal Tongue. The book’s subtitle is ‘The love–hate relationship between British and American English’, and Lynne described some of the differences in the language on the two sides of the Atlantic. Relating these to the METM19 theme (‘Making it count: communicating with clarity and concision’), and specifically the concision aspect, she explained the process of ‘densification’, in which language becomes more informationally dense over time. I’d heard Lynne speak before (at the SfEP conference and at Leeds Literature Festival), so I was expecting this to be an interesting and entertaining session. I wasn’t disappointed! (I hope Lynne will permit that last piece of punctuation: she allows her students one exclamation mark per year, and advises them to use it wisely…)
And with that, all that remained was for delegates to make their way to the closing dinner and afterparty. The four-course meal was served at a pace that could best be described as ‘leisurely’ (we were still waiting for dessert at 12.30am). I’m not sure whether this was a Croatian tradition, or whether catering for such a large group had proved challenging for the restaurant. Nevertheless, the food was tasty and I enjoyed the conversations over dinner, with Lynne Murphy on one side and Rebecca Warden from International Correspondents in Education (one of my main clients) on the other. The METM choir also entertained us with a couple of numbers.
METM19 choir
Although the disco was just getting going as dessert was being served, I’m afraid I was ready to make my way back to my apartment as 1am approached.
I very much enjoyed my second METM and I hope it won’t be my last. The programme was interesting and varied, the people friendly and approachable, and the setting lovely. I met individuals from all over Europe and beyond, attended informative sessions given by presenters from a range of backgrounds, and came away with a renewed sense of the importance of language professionals in an increasingly globalised world.
Oh – and I sampled soparnik!
I very much enjoyed my second METM and I hope it won’t be my last. The programme was interesting and varied, the people friendly and approachable, and the setting lovely. I met individuals from all over Europe and beyond, attended informative sessions given by presenters from a range of backgrounds, and came away with a renewed sense of the importance of language professionals in an increasingly globalised world.
Oh – and I sampled soparnik!
Sunset over Split
Do you love figures, calculations and graphs? Or would you rather avoid numbers if at all possible?
If you’re an editor or proofreader who routinely works on mathematics or science material, you’ll be used to dealing with figures, percentages, tables and graphs. But even editors who work on other texts (academic, business, and even fiction) will sometimes need to handle numbers and data.
Perhaps you’re editing a survey report, a paper containing the results of a research study, or an organisation’s annual report. Even if the client isn’t expecting you to perform an in-depth analysis of their calculations and data presentation (and you feel it’s out of your area of expertise – or your comfort zone), there are some straightforward things you can look out for to help your author keep their data in line.
Most of what follows is based on my own experience, so it isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list of issues. But I hope it will reassure you that checking figures and data presentation doesn’t necessarily require you to have a PhD in mathematics. Your basic editing and proofreading skills – together with a bit of logic and common sense – can often help you to spot when something’s amiss.
If you’re an editor or proofreader who routinely works on mathematics or science material, you’ll be used to dealing with figures, percentages, tables and graphs. But even editors who work on other texts (academic, business, and even fiction) will sometimes need to handle numbers and data.
Perhaps you’re editing a survey report, a paper containing the results of a research study, or an organisation’s annual report. Even if the client isn’t expecting you to perform an in-depth analysis of their calculations and data presentation (and you feel it’s out of your area of expertise – or your comfort zone), there are some straightforward things you can look out for to help your author keep their data in line.
Most of what follows is based on my own experience, so it isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list of issues. But I hope it will reassure you that checking figures and data presentation doesn’t necessarily require you to have a PhD in mathematics. Your basic editing and proofreading skills – together with a bit of logic and common sense – can often help you to spot when something’s amiss.
1. Words or figures in the text?
This issue will be familiar to most editors and proofreaders. When writing a number, should it be ‘five’ or ‘5’, for example? What about ‘twenty’ or ‘20’? ‘Three hundred and forty-nine’ or ‘349’? This will often be covered in your client’s style guide. A common convention is for numbers below 10 to be written as words, and 10 and above to be written as figures. But this can vary, so it’s worth checking.
In some (though not all) conventions, numbers within the same sentence should be made consistent:
In formal writing, it’s preferable to avoid starting a sentence with a figure. This might simply mean using words instead:
Alternatively – and particularly if the number is a large one, or it isn’t a whole number – it’s better to reword the sentence.
If you’re editing fiction, conventions might be slightly different. For example, numbers are often expressed in words when they appear in dialogue.
In some (though not all) conventions, numbers within the same sentence should be made consistent:
- I bought 3 apples and 13 pears. YES
- I bought three apples and 13 pears. NO
In formal writing, it’s preferable to avoid starting a sentence with a figure. This might simply mean using words instead:
- Twenty people visited the museum. YES
- 20 people visited the museum. NO
Alternatively – and particularly if the number is a large one, or it isn’t a whole number – it’s better to reword the sentence.
- On average, 345.23 people visited the museum each day. YES
- 345.23 people on average visited the museum each day. NO
If you’re editing fiction, conventions might be slightly different. For example, numbers are often expressed in words when they appear in dialogue.
2. Talking about numbers in the text
There are various ways in which statistics can be unintentionally misreported in the text. As an example, let’s look at two statements.
It’s easy to see how the confusion arises: the sentences contain the same words – just in a slightly different order. In some cases – like this one – it’s obvious that one of these sentences is incorrect, purely on the basis of general knowledge. In other cases, such inaccuracies are more difficult to spot without checking elsewhere in the document.
Other things to look out for in the text include:
- According to our research, 50% of dentists are women. YES
- According to our research, 50% of women are dentists. NO
It’s easy to see how the confusion arises: the sentences contain the same words – just in a slightly different order. In some cases – like this one – it’s obvious that one of these sentences is incorrect, purely on the basis of general knowledge. In other cases, such inaccuracies are more difficult to spot without checking elsewhere in the document.
Other things to look out for in the text include:
- Making sure ‘greater than’ (>) and ‘less than’ (<) are the right way round (sometimes mix-ups occur when the author has rearranged the text);
- Making sure ‘significant’ and ‘not significant’ are correctly attributed (particularly relevant when statistical analysis is being reported).
3. Consistency and common sense
In the same way that you’d proofread names, punctuation and capitalisation of words and phrases, you should be on the lookout for obvious errors and inconsistencies in numerical content. For example, when numbers are mentioned in more than one place (in a table, in the text, in the introduction, on a graph), are they consistent? Are the correct signs used (+, −)?
Similarly, in the same way that you’d use your own knowledge to spot errors when proofreading a general piece of text, you can sometimes see clearly that a mistake has been made. If an author claims that the population of London is 8,787 or 8.7 billion, you’ll probably realise that there’s something wrong. In a school report I was proofreading, I noticed that a student was congratulated on achieving 1.25 cm in the high jump, which conjured up an amusing – though misleading – image.
Similarly, in the same way that you’d use your own knowledge to spot errors when proofreading a general piece of text, you can sometimes see clearly that a mistake has been made. If an author claims that the population of London is 8,787 or 8.7 billion, you’ll probably realise that there’s something wrong. In a school report I was proofreading, I noticed that a student was congratulated on achieving 1.25 cm in the high jump, which conjured up an amusing – though misleading – image.
4. A note about averages
Remember when Michael Gove, the then UK Secretary of State for Education, stated that he wanted all schools to be performing above the national average? Think about it. If all schools are above the national average, that is no longer the average. As proofreaders and editors, we need to have some level of understanding of basic mathematical terminology – or at least, of words and concepts that are in everyday use – so that we can at least raise a query if something doesn’t look right.
5. Problems with percentages
An awareness of what percentages mean can help you to spot errors and problems. Even if you’re not going to be checking an author’s calculations, it does help to know that 50% is half of something, 33% around a third, and so on. So if an author claims that 24 of the 47 people in a survey are men, and that this proportion is 25% (i.e. a quarter), it’s something you need to query.
As well as basic calculation mistakes, it’s worth being on the lookout for inaccurate descriptions of percentages. I’ve seen ‘majority’ used to mean ‘the largest proportion’. Here’s an example:
This does not mean that ‘the majority of people are employed’ – ‘majority’ means ‘most’ (i.e. more than 50%), rather than simply the largest group.
Another thing to check is whether the percentages add up to 100. But beware – that might not always be appropriate. For example, if reporting on answers to a survey question where people could tick more than one option, the total could well be more than 100%. In this example, it’s clear that some people like both apples and bananas:
In cases like this, the percentages won’t necessarily add up to 100.
A more subtle issue when it comes to percentage is whether the author really does mean ‘per cent’ (%), or whether they mean ‘percentage points’. As an example, if the unemployment rate in 2001 was 5% and the unemployment rate in 2011 was 10%, the correct way to describe this would be to say that the 2011 rate is 5 percentage points higher than the 2001 rate. The unemployment rate is definitely not 5% higher (in fact, it is 100% higher!).
As well as basic calculation mistakes, it’s worth being on the lookout for inaccurate descriptions of percentages. I’ve seen ‘majority’ used to mean ‘the largest proportion’. Here’s an example:
- 25% of people in the group are self-employed
- 35% of people are retired
- 40% of people are employed
This does not mean that ‘the majority of people are employed’ – ‘majority’ means ‘most’ (i.e. more than 50%), rather than simply the largest group.
Another thing to check is whether the percentages add up to 100. But beware – that might not always be appropriate. For example, if reporting on answers to a survey question where people could tick more than one option, the total could well be more than 100%. In this example, it’s clear that some people like both apples and bananas:
- 65% of people like apples
- 73% of people like bananas
In cases like this, the percentages won’t necessarily add up to 100.
A more subtle issue when it comes to percentage is whether the author really does mean ‘per cent’ (%), or whether they mean ‘percentage points’. As an example, if the unemployment rate in 2001 was 5% and the unemployment rate in 2011 was 10%, the correct way to describe this would be to say that the 2011 rate is 5 percentage points higher than the 2001 rate. The unemployment rate is definitely not 5% higher (in fact, it is 100% higher!).
6. Calculation check
Even if the client isn’t expecting you to check all the calculations – some of which might be pretty complicated – there’s no reason you shouldn’t check straightforward sums. Adding up a column of numbers in a table can sometimes reveal some surprising errors, or issues that at least need to be queried. It can be handy to use Excel to check figures: simply cut and paste your column(s) of numbers into a blank spreadsheet and use the SUM function (∑ from the ribbon on the Home or Formulas tab).
You can also use Excel to perform other straightforward calculations (%, −, ×, ÷). Even if you don’t routinely use Excel, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the basic functions and with how to create a simple formula. Of course, you can always check figures using pen and paper or a calculator, but Excel can save you quite a bit of time (and – if used with care – can reduce the risk that you’ll make errors in your own calculations).
You can also use Excel to perform other straightforward calculations (%, −, ×, ÷). Even if you don’t routinely use Excel, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the basic functions and with how to create a simple formula. Of course, you can always check figures using pen and paper or a calculator, but Excel can save you quite a bit of time (and – if used with care – can reduce the risk that you’ll make errors in your own calculations).
7. Equations
If mathematics isn’t your thing, it’s possible that your eyes glaze over when you see any type of equation. But even if you’re not expected to proofread equations in the text, you can use your existing skills to spot obvious errors. For example, you might notice a term in the equation that’s different from those mentioned in the text. There might be a reason for this, but it could be a typo, so it’s worth a query to the author. Look out, too, for equations that the author has copied and pasted (to save retyping) with the intention of putting in different figures or other terms. Has the author remembered to update all the details?
8. Number ranges
I occasionally come across a table or chart in which the number ranges look something like this:
This is a problem because the ranges don’t have clear upper and lower limits: they overlap. For example, in which category would a value of ‘20’ be placed? Only the originator of the data would know the answer, so there’s usually very little that the editor or proofreader can do to correct this, other than query it. Ideally, ranges should look like this:
Or like this:
And if the data includes values that are not whole numbers (e.g. 2.8, 19.99, etc.), the ranges will need to be more exact:
- 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, … and so on.
This is a problem because the ranges don’t have clear upper and lower limits: they overlap. For example, in which category would a value of ‘20’ be placed? Only the originator of the data would know the answer, so there’s usually very little that the editor or proofreader can do to correct this, other than query it. Ideally, ranges should look like this:
- 0–9, 10–19, … and so on.
Or like this:
- 0–10, 11–20, etc.
And if the data includes values that are not whole numbers (e.g. 2.8, 19.99, etc.), the ranges will need to be more exact:
- 0–9.99, 10.00–19.99, etc.
9. Units, decimal separators and thousands separators
Again, consistency is the key here, as well as sticking to the style requirements.
a) Units
b) Decimal separators
In UK and US English, a full stop (full point) is usually used to separate whole numbers from decimals. The decimal point is usually on the baseline of the text, but sometimes a middle dot is used (e.g. 34·12). And in some countries a comma is used as a decimal separator. I’ve come across this most often in work by European authors, but the convention is also followed elsewhere.
c) Thousands separators
Similarly, there are different conventions for separating groups of digits in larger numbers. In many cases a comma is used (10,000), but some styles call for a non-breaking space (10 000).
a) Units
- Are these consistently abbreviated (km) or spelled out (kilometres)?
- If they’re abbreviated, are they closed up to the figure (5km)? If there’s a space, should this be a non-breaking space so that the figure and the unit do not become separated over a line break?
- How should percentages be expressed: 25%, 25 % (with a non-breaking space), 25 percent (tends to be US spelling) or 25 per cent (tends to be UK spelling)?
b) Decimal separators
In UK and US English, a full stop (full point) is usually used to separate whole numbers from decimals. The decimal point is usually on the baseline of the text, but sometimes a middle dot is used (e.g. 34·12). And in some countries a comma is used as a decimal separator. I’ve come across this most often in work by European authors, but the convention is also followed elsewhere.
c) Thousands separators
Similarly, there are different conventions for separating groups of digits in larger numbers. In many cases a comma is used (10,000), but some styles call for a non-breaking space (10 000).
10. Checking charts
Whole books have been written about the best way to present data in graphs, charts and diagrams, and the mistakes that can be made in data visualisation. Here, I’m just going to highlight some of the issues that I’ve come across when editing material containing such features.
a) A suitable style
Does the chart present the data clearly and unambiguously? For example, pie charts are often not a good way of presenting data, as this article explains. When checking a chart, graph or diagram, you need to ask whether it makes sense. Can you think of a clearer or better way of presenting the data?
b) Gimmicks
It’s tempting to use colours and special effects to make a chart, graph or diagram more eye-catching and ‘interesting’. However, that’s often not necessary (unless such effects are part of house style or branding). Bear in mind that colours, shapes and fancy shading can be distracting and confusing for the reader. In any case, such effects will often be stripped out at the next stage of the publication process.
c) Axes
As a rule, these should always start at zero. In this example, the chart on the right seems to be suggesting that The Times newspaper has twice as many sales as the Daily Telegraph, but that’s simply because the vertical axis starts at 420,000 rather than at zero. Results can easily be distorted if the chart isn’t showing the full picture.
d) When charts go wrong
Special mention must be made of this chart, which shows the average female height in various countries. It’s misleading in a couple of important ways:
a) A suitable style
Does the chart present the data clearly and unambiguously? For example, pie charts are often not a good way of presenting data, as this article explains. When checking a chart, graph or diagram, you need to ask whether it makes sense. Can you think of a clearer or better way of presenting the data?
b) Gimmicks
It’s tempting to use colours and special effects to make a chart, graph or diagram more eye-catching and ‘interesting’. However, that’s often not necessary (unless such effects are part of house style or branding). Bear in mind that colours, shapes and fancy shading can be distracting and confusing for the reader. In any case, such effects will often be stripped out at the next stage of the publication process.
c) Axes
As a rule, these should always start at zero. In this example, the chart on the right seems to be suggesting that The Times newspaper has twice as many sales as the Daily Telegraph, but that’s simply because the vertical axis starts at 420,000 rather than at zero. Results can easily be distorted if the chart isn’t showing the full picture.
d) When charts go wrong
Special mention must be made of this chart, which shows the average female height in various countries. It’s misleading in a couple of important ways:
- The shapes chosen to represent the different heights are of different widths (in proportion to their heights). So the ‘Latvia’ shape is larger in all dimensions than the ‘India’ shape, completely distorting the picture.
- The vertical axis does not start at zero. Yes, the values represented are all above 5 feet, which is probably why the authors decided to present the data like this. But that has the effect of suggesting that women in Latvia are four times as tall as women in India.
11. Tables
You first need to consider whether the table is suitable for the type of document (e.g. an academic paper vs. a brochure aimed at the general public) and whether it presents the data clearly.
When it comes to checking the details within a table, the advice I’ve already mentioned is relevant. Use your proofreading skills to check whether figures are consistent with those mentioned in the text. Add up columns to check totals. Apply your common sense to make sure the data looks correct.
It’s also worth checking the following specific points:
a) Units
Are the units clearly stated? For a table displaying only one type of data (e.g. percentages or monetary values), the units are sometimes included in the table caption:
Table 1: Owner-occupiers as a proportion of the population, 1950–2017 (%)
If the table shows different types of information, the units might be included with each value. So the columns will look something like this:
When it comes to checking the details within a table, the advice I’ve already mentioned is relevant. Use your proofreading skills to check whether figures are consistent with those mentioned in the text. Add up columns to check totals. Apply your common sense to make sure the data looks correct.
It’s also worth checking the following specific points:
a) Units
Are the units clearly stated? For a table displaying only one type of data (e.g. percentages or monetary values), the units are sometimes included in the table caption:
Table 1: Owner-occupiers as a proportion of the population, 1950–2017 (%)
If the table shows different types of information, the units might be included with each value. So the columns will look something like this:
Consider whether the table would be less cluttered if the units were added to the column headers and deleted from the data itself, as in this example:
b) Order of information
Check whether items are listed in a consistent way. For example, in the table above, the ‘countries’ are shown in alphabetical order. But the author could also have chosen to list them in ascending or descending order, by either the unemployment rate or the average income. Either of these alternatives would have been acceptable. However, if items are listed in apparently random or inconsistent order (e.g. in a series of tables), this might be confusing to the reader.
c) Row and column headings
Do these clearly explain the data in the table? If there’s more than one table with a similar layout, are the row and column headings presented in a consistent way?
d) Table layout
I recently came across a table similar to this one (I’ve only included part of the table, although the rest of it was similarly misleading). The author had tried to present information about the sample population, but the table was laid out in such a way that it implied an association between different variables. For example, it appeared that all the male participants are in the three younger age groups, and that all the female participants are in the older age groups.
Check whether items are listed in a consistent way. For example, in the table above, the ‘countries’ are shown in alphabetical order. But the author could also have chosen to list them in ascending or descending order, by either the unemployment rate or the average income. Either of these alternatives would have been acceptable. However, if items are listed in apparently random or inconsistent order (e.g. in a series of tables), this might be confusing to the reader.
c) Row and column headings
Do these clearly explain the data in the table? If there’s more than one table with a similar layout, are the row and column headings presented in a consistent way?
d) Table layout
I recently came across a table similar to this one (I’ve only included part of the table, although the rest of it was similarly misleading). The author had tried to present information about the sample population, but the table was laid out in such a way that it implied an association between different variables. For example, it appeared that all the male participants are in the three younger age groups, and that all the female participants are in the older age groups.
The way this table is laid out suggests connections between the different categories that don’t (in this case) exist. And – to illustrate a point made earlier – you might have noticed that the figures in the ‘Age’ categories add up to 104, rather than 100 (the total for the ‘Gender’ categories).
Rather than presenting the information in this way, it would have been better to keep all the categories separate. This is the layout that I suggested to the author.
Rather than presenting the information in this way, it would have been better to keep all the categories separate. This is the layout that I suggested to the author.
This version is not as concise as the original, but at least it doesn’t suggest relationships that aren’t (necessarily) there.
I hope this article has reassured you that your usual proofreading skills, together with a bit of common sense, will help you to check numerical information in a document, even if you don’t consider yourself a ‘numbers’ person. Here’s a summary of my top tips for approaching this type of work.
- Consult the style guide (if any) to check what’s required.
- Consult Butcher’s Copy-editing and New Hart’s Rules, both of which have useful sections on science and mathematics.
- Use logic and common sense to judge when something’s not quite right.
- Use Excel to check straightforward calculations.
- If numbers (and the way they are presented) are repeated in different parts of the document, check them for consistency.
- Check for similar statements about numerical data in different parts of the document (in the abstract, executive summary and conclusion, for example) and make sure they’re consistent.
- Ask yourself whether charts and tables present the data in a clear way.
- Query with the author if anything looks amiss.
I’ve previously written about why I love this festival – and my feelings certainly haven’t changed! This year the programme is as strong as ever, and it continues to tick all the boxes as far as my admiration is concerned. So I thought I’d present an updated version of my previous article, featuring highlights from this year’s fantastic festival offerings.
Bradford has had its fair share of bad publicity over the years, and it might not be the first place that springs to mind if you’re thinking of cultural events. But a few years ago, Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) burst onto the scene – and I love it! This year’s festival is fast approaching. Here’s why I’m looking forward to it.
1. Big names
For such a young festival, BLF attracts some notable speakers. This year there’s George the Poet, AC Grayling, Michael Rosen, John Barnes, Luke Goss and Jeanette Winterson (to name but a few). In previous years I’ve been to events featuring Jeanette Winterson (she must like it here!), Akala, Carol Ann Duffy and Jackie Kay. And a couple of years ago I happened to fall into conversation with none other than Germaine Greer as she consumed a refreshing shandy before a panel event. The hot topic she chose? The traffic diversions and snarl-ups she’d encountered on her way home from an event the previous night. Not quite what I was expecting.
2. Professional interest
As an editor, I’ve loved being able to hear experts like linguist David Crystal and The Times columnist Oliver Kamm talking about language and usage. I’ve attended panel discussions on English as a global language, the author–editor relationship and how not to write bad sex. And at this year’s BLF there are sessions on cultural appropriation in writing, how to get published, crime writing and thrillers, how to make writing pay, and the power of podcasts. Professional development has rarely been this enjoyable.
3. Variety
I’m always impressed by the wide range of events at BLF. There’s classic literature and contemporary crime fiction, there’s poetry and rap, there’s magic and fairy tales, there’s feminism and religion, there’s music, comedy, film, politics, heritage tours, walks... And this year, there’s even an event devoted to tea! It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in something you love, or dip your toe into something new. Expect to laugh, cry, think, enjoy and relax, and to come away inspired, informed and challenged. What more could you ask for?
4. The local angle
Bradford has a rich literary and cultural heritage, and that plays a part in BLF. Inevitably, perhaps, the Brontës are often featured – and this year is no exception – but there’s always a real desire to explore their work in new and interesting ways. Other local talents also come under the spotlight. Once again, the work of Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar (Rita, Sue and Bob Too) is considered, while Poet Laureate Simon Armitage – who hails from nearby Marsden – will discuss his new translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. There’ll be discussions on topics that resonate in the city, including The Satanic Verses, Islamophobia and Bradford City AFC, and tours of Undercliffe Cemetery, the Jewish Quarter, Bradford Police Museum and Little Germany. It’s a great way to learn about the area’s history and find out more about some of the hot topics of the day.
5. Inclusivity
Say ‘literature festival’ and many people think it isn’t for them. But I’m sure at least some would reconsider if they took a look at the programme and tried out an event or two. There’s a great variety of stuff that’s designed to appeal to all age groups and to reflect Bradford’s diverse communities. Most events take place in or around the city centre, and some are free. And as well as the usual discounts for students, senior citizens and disabled people, there are special tickets for refugees, asylum seekers and benefit recipients (the cost of a ticket is refunded on attendance, which means free entry!).
6. Educational focus
Bradford has a chequered history when it comes to education, and many of its schools still struggle with literacy and educational attainment. I think BLF can only be a good thing in this respect. The programme’s chock-full of stuff for children and young people. There are plenty of free activities, including two Baby Raves, for which I’m considering borrowing a baby. And the festival has a great schools programme, which includes author events, performances, writing workshops, and author visits to schools. Oh, to be young again…
7. Celebrating what’s best about Bradford
I think the fact that Bradford can put on a festival of such quality is a demonstration of what’s best about this vibrant city and its culture. During previous festivals I’ve spent time in the Festival Hub in City Park, and it’s a great place to hang out, grab a coffee and enjoy the buzz. I’ve been interested to see the inside of some of the city’s great buildings, such as City Hall and the Midland Hotel, and I can confirm that there’s more to Bradford than dark satanic mills and sink estates. And even if only a fraction of the city’s population comes to BLF events, many more – especially children and young people – will surely benefit from its effects.
So, there it is. Once again, I can’t wait for BLF and for the chance to learn something new, be challenged and entertained, and perhaps even find out about visiting celebrities’ travel headaches. Bring it on!
Facebook has many helpful features – some obvious, some less so. Here are six tips to help you to make the most of your Facebook experience, whether you’re using it mainly for personal or for business purposes.
I’ve given instructions for Facebook on a PC and an Android phone, but you should be able to find the same features on a Mac or an iPhone. And do bear in mind that Facebook changes from time to time, so these features might appear in a different place in future – or even disappear altogether!
I’ve given instructions for Facebook on a PC and an Android phone, but you should be able to find the same features on a Mac or an iPhone. And do bear in mind that Facebook changes from time to time, so these features might appear in a different place in future – or even disappear altogether!
1. Following a post
If you want to receive notifications when something’s been added to a post, Facebook has a useful feature that’s worth knowing about. In the top right-hand corner of each post there’s a drop-down menu (click on the three dots to reveal it). Simply choose ‘Turn on notifications for this post’. And if you want to turn off notifications, you can do that from the drop-down menu too.
Of course, you should automatically receive a notification if you’ve already contributed to the thread. But there’s no need to type ‘Following’ or ‘F’ in the comments just to make that happen. Far better to turn on notifications from the menu so that you’re not cluttering the thread. Your friends and colleagues will thank you for it.
2. Saving a link
We’ve all had the experience of seeing something on Facebook, thinking we’d go back later to read it, and then not being able to find it. The same drop-down menu you use to turn notifications on and off also has a ‘Save link’ option. Click on that and it’ll be saved for you, without you having to comment on the thread.
- On a PC, that should be in the ‘Explore’ list on the left-hand side of your personal newsfeed (your personal newsfeed is what you see when you click ‘Home’ at the top of the page).
- On a phone (Android), choose the menu at the top of the screen and find ‘Saved’ in the list.
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You can even organise the links into ‘Collections’ (e.g. work, health, music), making them even easier to find.
3. Sticking to group rules
Facebook groups are a great way to connect with others through shared interests. For example, many editors and proofreaders enjoy reading and taking part in discussions in the Editors’ Association of Earth public group and its associated closed groups.
Before starting to post in a group – whatever type of group it is – it’s a good idea to read the rules. Many groups have guidelines on the types of posts allowed. For example, are you allowed to advertise (either your own products and services or those of someone else)? There are often other rules about what is and isn’t acceptable.
Before starting to post in a group – whatever type of group it is – it’s a good idea to read the rules. Many groups have guidelines on the types of posts allowed. For example, are you allowed to advertise (either your own products and services or those of someone else)? There are often other rules about what is and isn’t acceptable.
- On a PC, the rules can often be found in the group’s description (on the right-hand side of the screen) or in the ‘About’ section (which you can access from the left-hand side).
- On a phone (Android), click on the arrow next to the group’s name and you should see more information, including the group’s rules.
It’s important to follow all the guidelines. It makes the job of the group admin(s) so much easier, avoids wasting everyone’s time, and makes the group experience far more pleasant and productive for all users. If it’s a professional group – like the ones for editors and proofreaders, for example – following the rules helps you to maintain your professional image.
And if you decide you don’t like a particular group’s rules, you can always start your own!
And if you decide you don’t like a particular group’s rules, you can always start your own!
4. Searching in a group
One useful aspect of Facebook groups is the search feature. This enables you to look for previous discussions on a particular topic so that you don’t run the risk of asking a question that’s already been answered.
- On a PC, go to the group and look for the search box on the left-hand side of the page.
- On a phone (Android), go to the group and look for the search facility right at the top.
5. Protecting your privacy
One thing you need to be aware of when commenting on a Facebook thread – whether that’s on a friend’s timeline, on a page, or in a group – is the privacy settings.
- Personal profiles on Facebook have different levels of privacy. You can easily check the privacy of a particular post by looking for the symbol underneath the poster’s name. If it’s a grey globe, the post is a public one, so the post itself and all the comments can be seen by anyone – on or off Facebook.
- The majority of pages are set to ‘public’ (as they are often used to promote a cause, a business, or a particular community, so they are looking for the largest possible audience).
- When you join a group, you need to find out whether it’s public, closed or secret. If it’s public, bear in mind that any posts or comments within the group can be seen by anyone, whether or not they have a Facebook account. I’ve written a more detailed account of this in a previous post.
This is where the privacy details appear on the group page on a phone:
And on a PC:
6. Hiding posts
Facebook’s algorithms are such that it’s difficult to control what you see in your newsfeed. But there’s one useful feature that does at least allow you to hide specific posts from friends, pages and groups if you’d rather not see them again (for whatever reason).
When you see the post in your newsfeed, click on the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the post to find the same drop-down menu mentioned in Tip 2 above. Simply choose ‘Hide post’. You’ll notice that there are also options to ‘Snooze’ a particular person for 30 days, or ‘Unfollow’ them completely so that you won’t see their posts at all (but you’ll still be friends). Very handy!
When you see the post in your newsfeed, click on the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the post to find the same drop-down menu mentioned in Tip 2 above. Simply choose ‘Hide post’. You’ll notice that there are also options to ‘Snooze’ a particular person for 30 days, or ‘Unfollow’ them completely so that you won’t see their posts at all (but you’ll still be friends). Very handy!
You’ll only see the full menu with this option if you click on the post in your newsfeed, rather than, for example, within a group, or on a page or a friend’s timeline.
So there we are: six little tips that can make a big difference to your – and other people’s – experience of Facebook. I hope you find them useful!
Are you a natural diplomat? Or do you struggle to respond with sensitivity and tact, especially in stressful situations? And what does all this have to do with editing and proofreading?
Diplomacy is never far from the headlines, whether it’s the Brexit negotiations, ceasefires in long-running armed conflicts, or international agreements on emissions targets. Even if negotiations don’t take place in the public eye, we know they’re happening and we can see the results (or lack thereof).
Although such situations might seem rather remote from our daily lives, I think we probably all use more diplomacy on a day-to-day basis than we imagine. This was brought home to me recently by an incident involving a friend of mine (a fellow editor, although the situation wasn’t related to editing). This friend had managed to resolve a long-standing and seemingly intractable family problem by speaking separately, and with very well-chosen words, to each of the parties involved. The situation was quickly sorted out to everyone’s satisfaction. No one lost face, no one felt aggrieved, and no one was seen as ‘the bad guy’. I was seriously impressed with the way my friend had engineered this solution. It was pure genius!
Now, I wouldn’t call myself a natural diplomat. Yorkshire folk have a reputation for plain speaking and bluntness, and that’s often not conducive to approaching situations in a calm, measured way. Add to that my tendency to try to make a joke out of everything and it’s safe to say that I’m not going to be leading international peace talks any time soon.
But in the world of editing and proofreading – particularly the freelance variety – there are plenty of scenarios in which a pinch of diplomacy can go a long way.
Diplomacy is never far from the headlines, whether it’s the Brexit negotiations, ceasefires in long-running armed conflicts, or international agreements on emissions targets. Even if negotiations don’t take place in the public eye, we know they’re happening and we can see the results (or lack thereof).
Although such situations might seem rather remote from our daily lives, I think we probably all use more diplomacy on a day-to-day basis than we imagine. This was brought home to me recently by an incident involving a friend of mine (a fellow editor, although the situation wasn’t related to editing). This friend had managed to resolve a long-standing and seemingly intractable family problem by speaking separately, and with very well-chosen words, to each of the parties involved. The situation was quickly sorted out to everyone’s satisfaction. No one lost face, no one felt aggrieved, and no one was seen as ‘the bad guy’. I was seriously impressed with the way my friend had engineered this solution. It was pure genius!
Now, I wouldn’t call myself a natural diplomat. Yorkshire folk have a reputation for plain speaking and bluntness, and that’s often not conducive to approaching situations in a calm, measured way. Add to that my tendency to try to make a joke out of everything and it’s safe to say that I’m not going to be leading international peace talks any time soon.
But in the world of editing and proofreading – particularly the freelance variety – there are plenty of scenarios in which a pinch of diplomacy can go a long way.
| Client relations Dealing with clients (and, indeed, potential clients) can be a minefield. From discussing the scope of the work to the thorny issue of the fee, there’s ample room to lose your cool, and possibly lose out on the work. If discussions are straightforward, there may be little need for diplomacy. But when there are points of disagreement – which often, it seems, relate to time and money – you need to strike a balance between sticking to your guns at all costs and keeping relations cordial. It’s not easy! The manuscript There’s also diplomacy in the act of editing. Whether to intervene or leave the text as it stands can be a major dilemma. How will your amendments be received by the client? Is it worth correcting every single style point or debatable grammar infringement if it’s going to cause problems further down the line? Will the client take offence at your ‘meddling’? Will that mean they’re less likely to accept your corrections when it comes to more serious errors? Is there a chance that your decision will result in a cost to them (financial, reputational or otherwise)? It’s clear that the actual decision about whether or not to make a change can sometimes require a good deal of careful thought and sensitivity. Author queries And then there are the comments you leave for the author. Perhaps you simply can’t understand what the author is trying to say. Perhaps you can understand it clearly, but think it needs to be queried. How do you convey these thoughts in a short comment, without causing upset? Making things less personal can certainly help (‘Will the reader understand this?’ rather than ‘Your argument is complete nonsense’), but it’s still a difficult area. Production chain If your work is part of a process involving several different stages handled by a number of different people, a diplomatic approach is essential. If there’s an element of negotiation involved – on fees, timescales or scope of work, for example – it’s a question of striking that balance between standing your ground and trying to be flexible and helpful. And if problems arise with someone else in the chain, you might need to let others know about it. Here again, a professional approach works best, even if you’re feeling upset, frustrated or angry. After all, your reputation is also at stake. Colleagues Here I’m thinking of other editors and proofreaders you interact with, either face to face or in online groups or forums. Such interactions can be a great source of inspiration, information and support, and in some cases, the basis for friendships. But sometimes even professional discussions can cause ruffled feathers. How do you react when a colleague asks a very basic question instead of consulting a standard reference book? What if someone makes a statement that you know to be inaccurate? If you feel you need to react at all, it can be difficult to find just the right tone. Once again, it’s about balance: getting your point across without turning it into a personal attack. Family and friends Ironically, sometimes taking a diplomatic approach is most difficult when you’re dealing with the people closest to you. For many, freelancing means balancing work and home life, often with the support of others. How do you establish the boundaries between work and family? Do you find yourself negotiating for the time and space you need? How do you respond to assumptions that ‘working from home’ means ‘available for childminding, going out for lunch, taking in postal deliveries, having long chats on the phone…’? (Yes, freelancers often do those things – it’s the assumption that we’re always available that’s the issue.) And then there’s the friend or relative who’s written a book and wants you to proofread it ‘as a favour’. How do you respond to such situations without upsetting your nearest and dearest? |
Being a freelance editorial professional involves much more than the mechanics of editing and proofreading. As well as all the requirements of running a business – marketing, keeping on top of the accounts, planning and advertising, to name but a few – it involves building relationships. That’s where diplomacy comes in. It’s a question of taking a position, thinking about how rigidly you need to stick to it, considering the ramifications, and communicating effectively with others without causing offence or undermining your own position. Here are some common-sense tips.
| 1. Have some idea what you’re aiming for Think about your ultimate objective. That might be a particular fee or timescale, or even a specific goal for the text you’re editing. 2. Consider the other person’s position What effect will your stance – and the way you communicate it – have on them? What’s their agenda? 3. Is it worth ‘making a point’ – to an author, a colleague or a client? In other words, is the issue so vital that you’d risk upsetting those involved? If you think it is, what’s the best way to present your viewpoint while minimising the damage? 4. Think before you speak or write Take a moment to consider the content and tone of your message. Count to 10 (at least)! |
Admittedly, these tips are unlikely to secure you a place at an international negotiation table, but you might find them useful in running your editorial business. And although diplomacy – like good editing – often goes unnoticed, your clients, colleagues and family members are still likely to appreciate it, and they’ll certainly notice if it’s absent!
