Sometimes headlines need to be changed. The existing one may be repeating a previous headline, focusing on not quite the right angle, or just plain wrong. And sometimes copy needs to be changed after it has been subbed. I fully understand this.
However, I would like to point out the following to all editorial staff who change headlines or subbed copy:
- If you ask for five words to be removed and eighteen added, there might be a little issue with copy fit.
- If you remove “profits have risen 2%” from a headline and replace it with “profits have increased 2%”, guess what? It ain’t gonna fit.
- If you add a sentence to a story without removing anything to make space, the sub is going to have to do it for you and, if he/she is conscientious, show you again. Some may argue that on press day, this could fall under the definition of “an unwise use of time”.
I should probably point out that at our magazine, the pages go out to the section editors on paper after they have been subbed. The section editors give them back to the subs with changes marked on page in pen. The subs put the changes in and issue a new proof, which goes to the editor or deputy editor, who marks their changes on the page and gives it back to the subs again. And sometimes, again and again and again.
So, on a regular basis, the subs find themselves trying to bash the proverbial square peg into a round hole. But, worry not! I have come up with a solution.
All editorial staff who want to change subbed copy should undertake one hour of training a day on this spatial awareness device (pictured right), until they can correctly answer the following three questions:
Are the bricks:
a) all exactly the same size
b) of varying size and shape
c) simply in need of a good telling off
When selecting a brick to put into a hole, should you:
a) rely on pure fanciful whimsy
b) close your eyes, reach out a hand and jab wildly
c) have a look at the size and shape of both the brick and the hole
Which of the following is true?
a) the square brick fits in the square hole and only the square hole
b) if the square shape won’t fit in the round hole, the sub-editor is shit
c) the shapes can be kerned to fit any hole, can’t they?
