I'm having a grand time in my science writing class. I have decided that science writing is a field in which the practitioners get dessert first. However
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Dear Celestial Law: Have you heard of Leon Svirsky? I didn't think so. He was a noted science editor who wrote a few books on the side. Today his published work snores in oblivion. He is remembered principally from Isaac Asimov's account of him in his autobiography. Svirsky edited Asimov's THE INTELLIGENT MAN'S GUIDE TO SCIENCE with a heavy blue pencil, which infuriated Asimov. He ultimately submitted, but by the time the third edition of the book was due, he successfully stood off Svirsky.
You have run into Svirsky's daughter or niece or something. I must say, the notion that an article about a mathematician, for a publication aimed at alumni of a College of Science seems spectacularly perverse. Let me suggest a course of action, which does have its perils:
a) I assume said mathematician has several degrees, not one. b) I hope these degrees are from different schools. c) write the article the way the Great Editor wants. d) write another version the way you want to. e) submit the mangled version to the Great Editor and hope for the best. f) Simultaneously, submit your version to the alumni mags of the other institutions where he took degrees. h) I will pray mightily for Cosmic Justice, which would work this way: your version gets accepted for real dough, the mangled version gets accepted for a good grade, once you have the grade, you withdraw the mangled version and wave the letter of acceptance at her, while all the rest of us laugh raucously in the background, simultaneously giving the Great Editor the Bronx cheers, that, next to being drafted for service in Afghanistan, she so richly deserves. To be sure, she may badmouth you after this, which is the peril I mentioned.
You have run into Svirsky's daughter or niece or something. I must say, the notion that an article about a mathematician, for a publication aimed at alumni of a College of Science seems spectacularly perverse. Let me suggest a course of action, which does have its perils:
a) I assume said mathematician has several degrees, not one.
b) I hope these degrees are from different schools.
c) write the article the way the Great Editor wants.
d) write another version the way you want to.
e) submit the mangled version to the Great Editor and hope for the best.
f) Simultaneously, submit your version to the alumni mags of the other institutions where he took degrees.
h) I will pray mightily for Cosmic Justice, which would work this way: your version gets accepted for real dough, the mangled version gets accepted for a good grade, once you have the grade, you withdraw the mangled version and wave the letter of acceptance at her, while all the rest of us laugh raucously in the background, simultaneously giving the Great Editor the Bronx cheers, that, next to being drafted for service in Afghanistan, she so richly deserves. To be sure, she may badmouth you after this, which is the peril I mentioned.
Down with the Great Editor!
I have spoken
Best regards,
Lord Pomposo
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Thanks for the suggestion. It's not a bad one. :-) The math guy is German, but got his Ph.D. at Temple.
I should check into that.
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