h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi!

I've put some thought into this, and I've decided that I want to be a sub-ed. I like to think of myself as a clear and concise writer (though I'm sure many of my reviewers in PR may beg to differ ), and I'm going to have a little bit of time to myself this summer and probably into the fall. Although I was raised speaking and writing US English, I can write in UK English, and own a version of Microsoft Word that can help me with that.

Are you recruiting for Sub-eds? If you are, please consider my application.

A UK Dictionary in Microsoft Word would've helped me. I had to quit because I couldn't get the UK spellings right.

I'm sure you'll make an excellent sub

Hey Scandrea! It's always possible that we can do with more subeditors

They do tend to recruit in batches (not baths which is what I originally wrote) so bear that in mind, just incase you don't get a reply quickly.

Usually new sub-eds are given a "test" of sorts -- a practice entry for them to sub-ed, to see if they are up to the task. I can pop a note over to Jimster if you don't get a reply soonish, and ask him if he'd consider sending you a test -- he often misses messages left on recruiting pages.

Assuming you get the test, here are two good links to use as reference:

A266131
SubEditors-GuideML

Any questions about what subbing entails?

Kat (now hurriedly subscribing to the volunteer pages again)

I'd appreciate that!

How do you find subbing?

Personally I enjoy subbing a lot. I'm a terrible pedant about spelling, grammar and the like and so I have the satisfaction of helping things be the very best they can. Also it does mean that you get exposed to a huge variety of subjects -- some of which are boring as anything but that's the price you pay sometimes. Whilst the volunteer page does say that each sub usually gets 4 entries a month this is a very variable thing. Sometimes I do 6 a month, sometimes 2, depending on what I'm up to in real life. The italics are flexi about it all and always happy to let you bumble along with your own things for a short while.

I think a important thing to remember is that subbing can sometimes be a breeze, and sometimes take weeks. I know that I've occassionally had entries given to me that have had me growling in frustration. There's also always the danger of an author being unhappy with what you have done and grouching long and loud...but that's only happened to me once

Kat

Okay I'm bored of this now, and am worried I'll forget about you if this drops too far back in my conversations.

If you email h2g2.editors AT bbc.co.uk and say that I sent you and that you would like to become a subeditor they should be able to sort you out

At least I think that's the right address

Kat

I knew I was wrong!!!

h2g2.editorial AT bbc.co.uk

I'll wait a little while longer before I send it. I don't want to be a pest!