Literary Lights

A short course on things editorial. Q. How many art directors does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. Does it HAVE to be a light bulb? Have you considered using a drawing of a giraffe? What about a computer image of the Universe? Q. How many managing editors does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. You were supposed to have changed that light bulb last week. Q. How many editors does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. I'm really sorry I haven't gotten back to you. The question is pretty dense and it's taking me a little longer to get through than I thought. I'll finish reading it over the weekend and call you on Monday. Q. How many copy editors does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. The last time this question was asked it involved managing editors. Is the difference intentional? Should one or the other instance be changed? This seems inconsistent. Q. How many copy editors does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. I can't tell whether you mean "change a light bulb" or "have sexual relations in a light bulb." Can we remove the ambiguity? Q. How many proofreaders does it take to change a light bulb? A. Proofreaders aren't supposed to change light bulbs. They merely query them. Q. How many writers does it take to change a light bulb? A. But why do we have to CHANGE it? Q. How many publishers does it take to change a light bulb? A. Three. One to screw it in, and two to hold down the author. Q. How many PR people does it take to change a light bulb? A. When's your deadline? Is an answer by Monday too late? Awww no more jokes here. Read them again. BACK  •  COVER  •  Contents  •  < PREV Page  •  NEXT Page >