Actual ad I just read

This was an ad for an under-eye cream, I think. I don't know. I didn't click on it.

"Sure, lines give you character, but maybe you don't need any character."

Sometimes I can't even come up with a snarky remark for this bullshit. It's just too mind-boggling.

Be Brutally Honest

I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't really want me to be brutally honest. Because if I were, this would be my complete analysis of this project:

Your book sucks.

Don't say this

I don't know why we care about Lake Superior State University, except that they do an annual list of banished words. If you say these words or phrases, they will find you and arrest you or beat you. Or something bad like that. So I advise you read their banished words and immediately remove them from your vocabulary.

Especially "baby bump." Seriously. Don't ever use that phrase again.

Title case

Here's an interesting note for you, courtesy of the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (8.157-59):

For titles capitalized headline-style, Chicago no longer recommends making exceptions for short or unstressed words or to avoid the occasional awkward appearance. 

In other words, no more worrying about which words to capitalize in a title. Just go nuts and capitalize them all.

You're welcome.

Heavy medal

From the book I'm editing:


He had won the GOLD METAL! 


I guess it's better than winning the molybdenum metal. 

Perhaps a comma would make this clearer

Dialogue from a new project:

"Now what would I do with a calendar boy?"

Hm. Perhaps Neil Sedaka knows the answer. Or the Hooters girls. Or feel free to add your own Catholic priest joke.

It's a birdemic...

Actual line from the book I'm editing:


Warmer winter temperatures contribute to the proliferation of the bark beetle.


I need to see the author's picture to see if he wears a ridiculous wig.