Line Edits
Right now I’m eyeball deep in line edits for my book, Weapons of Math Destruction: how big data increases inequality and threatens democracy.
Or rather, I’m in the phase of minor(ish) edits from my editor (post-existential threats, anyway, and that’s a big deal!) which is before the next phase, where I’ll be dealing with issues from the actual line editor, the person who knows all about commas and what gets italicized versus quoted and so forth.
Then come the galleys, and along the way of course I help choose a cover design. After that the blurbs start (who should I ask?) and they print a bunch of copies in China and have it all shipped back here by boat. The process takes months and it’s all new to me.
Point is, my brain is completely occupied with this stuff, which is the opposite of sexy but on the other hand is exactly why the book will be better (hopefully!) than a blog – it will be actually carefully edited.
Everyone, fingers crossed, but the tentative launch date is September 5th of 2016. I know, it’s forever from now, but at least it’s an actual date. I’m already planning the party.
mathbabe 
Hang in there ! Having written two textbooks, I can say the next set of edits are the most tedious. Take it slow and know that you will still miss a few.
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How true! I still wince at one I missed, along with my editors — JFK’s “assignation” !
It shows how we “edit” AS we read. Also, when you catch one, there is another close by.
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I just can’t resist this: -it will actually be carefully edited
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haha exactly.
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Is there a kickstarter or any other “preorder / prefund ” type of website for this project?
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Nope, it’s being published by Random House. Thanks though!
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Congratulations! š
About the blurbs, I can’t think of anyone better qualified in both subjects than yourself. But for an expert on inequality, have you considered Branko Milanovic? If you haven’t already seen it, here he is discussing inequality. http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2015/11/marshall-auerback-and-branko-milanovic-discuss-income-inequality-the-global-haves-and-have-nots-in-the-21st-century.html
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Great idea, thanks!
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I look forward to your book. If people or experts (such as you) didn’t take the time to study and analyze subjects that they strongly disagree with we would be in very big trouble. I have an intense interest in technology and big data. However, my interest is often times mistaken for agreeing with the practice of amassing what is as much a weapon as anything else. I have seen what it has done in the field of health care and it’s misuse is something I’m going to write about at some point. HIPAA was created years ago in preparation for this culture of human quantification and it is failing miserably. Good luck with your book.
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How are you handling the index? Can this be automated too?
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I hadn’t even thought of that! I’m guessing it won’t have one.
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Having an index is definitely something to consider — depending on your readership, and content. Discuss with editor. I recently read a story about an indexing party — held with just the right amount of Italian wine to keep things going, the author listed his main index items, and partyers were assigned certain pages, and did it manually. MSWord automates this process.
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Marion Fourcade from Berkeley is a HUGE fan and I’m guessing she would contribute a blurb!
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The feeling is mutual!
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