Copy desk blues
Some years back Alex Cruden of the Detroit Free Press wrote some copy editor blues songs, which were performed at the closing ceremonies of one of the ACES national conferences.
In that spirit, I offer the first stanza of a new one: “30 minutes late (and 20 lines long).” Based on a real-life experience. Feel free to add your own verses.
I’ve been sittin’ on the copy desk all the livelong day,
Sittin’ on the copy desk, editin’ to get my pay,
Lookin’ at that syntax, puzzlin’ where it got all wrong,
But it’s 30 minutes late, and the story’s runnin’ 20 lines long.
Comments
I used to live the high life back in the edit golden age
Had all the room I wanted to fit the words upon the page
But now the buyin' public got no time to sit and read
So the boss, he's after me to cut that text with blazin' speed
Posted by: mike | April 10, 2008 5:20 PM
The lede is kinda clunky and the verb is buried deep
But editors get cranky when they're goin' on no sleep
And don'tcha know that columnist is one I'd never hire
He throws a fit when I point out his misplaced modifier
Posted by: jen | April 11, 2008 5:43 PM