The Layers of Magazine Editing [Hardcover]

Michael Robert Evans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0231128606 | ISBN-13: 978-0231128605

Unlike the myriad writing manuals that emphasize grammar, sentence structure, and other skills necessary for entry-level editing jobs, this engaging book adopts a broader view, beginning with the larger topics of audience, mission, and tone, and working its way down, layer by layer, to the smaller questions of grammar and punctuation. Based on Michael Evans's years of experience as an editor and supplemented by invaluable observations from the editors of more than sixty magazines -- including The Atlantic, Better Homes and Gardens, Ebony, Esquire, and National Geographic -- this book reveals the people-oriented nature of the job.

(Winter 2006)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The author's explicity expressed opinions are nicely tempered by the candid, but always constructive, comments from various contemporary editors.

(David Abrahamson and Nathan Eddy Journalism & Mass Communication Editor )

About the Author

Michael Robert Evans is assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He was the founder of the syndicated column "Finders," regional editor for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and managing editor of Western Massachusetts Magazine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (August 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231128606
• ISBN-13: 978-0231128605
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,503,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Book, October 11, 2010

By 

Brian Howard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Layers of Magazine Editing (Paperback)

I found this book insightful and helpful, and I've been working in publishing for a decade. I appreciated the way it is organized, like peeling back layers of an onion. Some of the anecdotes are very interesting, and there are a lot of useful tips.

I think where the book falls short is that it tends to be a little idealistic and a tad old fashioned. It doesn't deal enough with the rapid advances of technology or disruptive forces like the proliferation of blogs and social media. It also seems to be largely coming from a place of regional or medium-sized publications, with not as much thought given to the largest titles or very small titles that have to be very nimble and scrappy.

Still, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone starting out, or thinking of pursuing, a career in magazines.