Joe C's Sub-editing Checklist
Created | Updated Jul 30, 2005
This is a checklist for Sub-editors to use, taking you through the 'subbing' process from requesting a new batch, to clicking the final 'Return to Editors' button. It is by no means exhaustive (each Sub has his/her own idiosyncrasies); nor is it compulsory - it should be seen as a reminder to do everything possible to improve an Entry before it goes on the Front Page.
The Checklist
- Request batch from Yahoo! group.
- (Optional) Click the 'Click here to be notified of new Conversations about this Guide Entry' link under your new entries.
- Contact the author of Entry 1. This is a good idea if the entry has only one or two authors1. If your entry has more than two or three authors, don't bother contacting them all! Instead, it might be a good idea to tell them that you've started a thread somewhere (perhaps your Personal Space) so that you can talk to all of the authors while you Sub the entry.
- Find the original copy of Entry 1 by going to Coming Up; read the PR thread in the Conversations under the article to make sure all issues have been addressed. If they haven't, fix 'em
. - Click the 'Return to Editors' button before you start editing, to check if the Scout has any concerns/suggestions about the Entry. Do not click 'Submit' yet!
- Start on the Entry: check that all links work, and that any h2g2 links are to Edited Entries only.
- Make sure the GuideML syntax is right: all tags should be in capitals, and there should be a closing tag for everything. If something doesn't look right, check the GuideML. Yes, I know it's a pain but it's gotta be done
. - Make sure that only Approved GuideML is used. For more information on Approved GuideML, see Approved GuideML, and for Non-approved GuideML, see the GuideML Clinic.
- Go through again looking for more possible links. Use the 'Edited Entries' search feature to find Edited Entries to link to, and add them in.
- Make any changes to wording or style as you see fit. ‘Smart Quotes’ (as used by Microsoft Word) should be replaced with 'Normal Quotes' (as obtained by typing straight into h2g2).
- Read through the Entry one last time, checking spelling, grammar and style.
- Ask the author to give the Entry a final check.
- Make final changes and return to Editors.
- Repeat Steps 3-14 with Entry 2.
- Take a well earned rest
and have a stiff drink 
. - Repeat from Step 1.
Links
- Sub-editors
- Front Page
- Coming Up
- Approved GuideML
- Non-approved GuideML
- Style and English Usage in the Edited Guide
- Related BBCi Content
1Although you should check that they are in fact authors; if an entry is taken from one Sub and given to another, the original Sub may be shown as an author.
