The Layers of Magazine Editing

by Michael Robert Evans

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.

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2004

Reviews

[Jennifer]

There are plenty of useful tools to be gained from this book, particularly for one interested in the magazine industry. However, I do feel that some topics were beaten into the ground, creating long and drawn out chapters that were difficult to get through -- not because of the language, but because of the monotony.

[Cat]

Elizabeth recommended this to me, oh, about 4 years ago. It's fantastic - definitely better than "The Editor in Chief."