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

Is it customary, for people editing PR entries to contact the author about any changes they are making to an entry?

You mean Entries that have been picked by a Scout and are being Sub Edited?

This has been a bone of contention with some author's in the past.

As I see it, yes I think it's just polite for a Sub Editor to contact the author of a piece and say "Hi, editing your piece for the EG, nice to meet ya, any questions drop me a line."

BUT. (Yes, there's always a but...)

Sub Editor's apparently don't HAVE to make contact, because in the past when they did, and an author wasn't happy with changes, problems arose and things just came to a standstill. Not good for anyone really.

So, when your piece gets picked for the EG, in a small way you lose some of it to editing (which would happen to anything you ever wrote and got published to be quite frank). However, I still believe a little hi can't hurt

I'm not happy with some of the changes made to my entry I was'nt asked or contacted in any way. I think this is rather rude
Its not a good basis for people writing an entry to have it changed without being informed.
I don't mean to sound selfish, but surely i should have some say in any changes

I had exactly the same problem a while ago and after attempting to contact the Sub-Editor of a piece I did before it went to the EG. I got a severe talking at. Apparently it wan't my place to complain But anyway.

But if you feel that strongly, say something. Contact the Sub Editor. They should then be able to consult the Editors/Italics for you. To find out who the Sub-Editor was just look in ComingUp , click on your Entry and their name should be there on your Entry. Click on the name and away you go.

Just be pleasant. Although I was pleasant at first and that got me nowhere. Then I was angry and I still got ingnored. Then I contacted the Italics and I still got fobbed of. So??



(In the end I could only get the corrections made after the Entry wnet into the EG and I could Update it through Editorial Feedback)

May the Force be with you

Oh dear, this is not good The last thing i want is to have even more hassle.
I have contacted the person who's done the editing, though with posts not showing for ages, i havent heard anything back. The worst part is, if one of the links stays on the entry, it will upset another researcher. I'm dammed either way eh!

ahhh. The Slugs Entry by Naim? The Subbie should have read the Peer Review thread... Not good. You could always contact the Editors through <./>Feedback-Editorial</.> letting them know your concerns. You probably won't hear back until tomorrow some time though, seeing as they're most likely all tucked up in bed now

I'm the sub here. My apologies; I usually check with the author before sending the entry back but I somehow missed that this time round.

Is the link the only thing you're unhappy with? I did read the PR thread but I don't understand why a relevant link should not be included in the entry.

However, I will take the matter up with the Editors.

I think it's because there was a PR before this one, maybe you didn'tfind it. Venus then put it offPR, and put it back inbecause people asked her to do so. Naim was very clear and definate about the faxct that she didn't want her entry linked to this one, and Big Al's suggestions caused a lot of pain again.

B'Elana, there's plenty of scope for making changes even after the sub-editor is finished with it. If you're really not happy with it, the Editors can change it, or if they're too busy the Curators can do it when it becomes Edited. Don't worry!

I didn't see the first thread; silly of me really.

I've emailed the sub-eds' group with the question.

Oh dear. All i've done is cause more hassle, i am sorry

Thanks for the info Gnomon. It's not about an entry of me,though, I just happend to know what it was all about.
Venus, don't worry, I guess this has happened before and will probably happen again, so no need to feel guilty about a request.

Don't worry, Venus. It'll all get sorted. If it's anyone's fault it's mine, so you have no reason to be concerned.

thanks for coming and explaining

I am in two minds about the subbing process and how much input the author should have. I occasionally write for a magazine, and the subbig process there is pretty much (I think) what it is here. However, if I have a serious and valid objection to something, and can defend my position well (politely ) it is often taken into consideration and I "get my way".

I would very much hope that this would also apply to h2g2!