Editing on Galleys

Generic offers a service that sounds like an invitation to AA disaster: we ask you to send us a disk or manuscript for typesetting into galleysbeforeyou edit. Disaster is averted by a policy that is unique in our industry: We never charge for AAs!* * That's right—Generic doesnotcharge for AAs. Naturally, the author cannot submit a replacement disk or an additional chapter and consider these AAs; but in the normal course of review and revision, we never charge for author's alterations. Procedures with galleys for editing: Send your manuscript, the disks (if available), and design specifications (at least line length and type size and face) to Generic before the editing process. Include global instructions if appropriate (e.g., "Americanize spelling, place punctuation within quotation marks, use two-digit abbreviations for state names in Notes section"). While it is common for a compositor to say offhandedly that a disk is "not usable" (this provides work for their keystrokers), we prefer to use the author's disk if available. This lowers your cost, capitalizes on the author's effort in creating the disk, reduces everyone's effort in proofreading, and proves to be the most cost-effective way to achieve quality. We'll then style the electronic manuscript and lay out the material so that editing can be done easily and quickly on clean galleys that include the following: all global searches and changes that you have specified; basic typographic changes (extraneous spacing removed, hyphens replaced with em- and en-dashes and italics with underlines, full caps changed to title or sentence caps, smart quotes inserted, etc.); coded design elements (chapter number, chapter title, heads, extracts, lists, captions, tables, epigraphs, and so on)—we provide a complete list of these elements for your designer; the manuscript typeset to your specifications and galleys generated with 24-point ("double-spaced") leading; and an actual character count and cast-off, so your editing and design decisions can be based on accurate details. Benefits of this process: The usefulness of the author's disks is confirmed at the earliest stage. Editing is quicker—typemarking is minimized and the manuscript has already been partially styled. Editing is better—the entire manuscript is double-spaced with generous margins so that text editing and inserts will be clear and complete, with no need to guess about squeezed-in handwriting. Editing is more complete—the editor is able to focus on substantive changes, use global instructions, and never compromise quality because of messiness and related limitations of the manuscript. Proofreading is faster—the physical presentation is clear and errors are not hidden in the clutter of an edited manuscript. Design elements are visible so specifications can be amended before they affect paging and indexing (a significant benefit especially for less-experienced designers and editors who are unable to visualize the result of layout decisions). The authors review editing and design in one pass—they see why heads may need to be shortened, where connective material is needed, and whether the physical presentation reflects their intent. Summary of editing on galleys Any manuscript will have alterations and improvements. Our goal is to make it as error-free as possible, as soon as possible—even to the extent of providing free galleys. A week (translating disks, making alterations, and laying out galleys) spent early in the schedule is an affordable extravagance: improved quality and savings of time realized later in the schedule—from editing and proofreading—is the luxurious result. For further information, please email us email us . Please include your name, affiliation, and areas of interest, and we will get back to you quickly. Generic Compositors 152 Starheim Road Stamford, NY 12167 607 652-BOOK (2665) 267 654-2416 (fax) email us Copyright © 2001 Generic Compositors, a Division of Stonecrest Industries, Inc. June 19, 2004

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