The Observer Needs a Copy Editor (But You Knew That Already, Amiright?)

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We have an immediate opening for a copy editor. Until we find one, we'll continue to let commenters correct our terrible spelling and grammar while we try and fail not to get defensive about it. It's the Observer way.

See also: How to Contribute to the Dallas Observer

The ideal candidate will have one of those brains that allows him or her to see all the errant commas, embarrassing homonym mishaps and missing words that plague most of the stories I edit, and will possess deeply held beliefs about the overuse of em dashes, the role of the serial comma and the Superiority of Title-Case Headlines. A willingness to delete bad jokes and identify specious arguments is a plus. (Don't worry Schutze -- we won't let her near your stuff!)

Interested candidates should send a friendly email explaining their interest, a résumé and some writing or editing samples to me at joe.tone@dallasobserver.com. This is a full-time job with both benefits (medical, dental, 401(K), cubicle near the free-stuff pile) and drawbacks (not many food options since Herrera's closed, freakishly cold conference room, beer fridge is broken).

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21 comments
tonedeaf
tonedeaf

Yesterday I made a comment about this publication not having a fact checker or a moderator except with someone says something about Joe. Low and behold that comment was censored.

I also asked the question what was Joe's vision for the future of the Dallas Observer and that was censored.   Was he happy with what he has helped it evolve into?   Censor.

I made mention that even his most ardent fans are starting to appear disappointed.

It is just so transparent with all the outright and blatant use of derogatory terms for minorities used on this site on a regular basis that are only (occasionally) removed if someone ask them to be in a polite way, yet if someone attempts to get at the root of the problem, then wham suddenly the DO has enough money to hire a moderator for the  moment.

The Dallas Observer as a publication is exactly where it has always been and I hope it can stay there.   It is a great weekly with great writing.   It is easier to think of them as simply two different organizations.   


casiepierce
casiepierce

I love that Joe has already decided that this copy editor will be a "her".....

Myrna.Minkoff-Katz
Myrna.Minkoff-Katz topcommenter

///s*   Hi thisiz murrnas katt here aggain       hire mee  i  ken& .';do the job  nice.., goodbyy#$%TF n

bvckvs
bvckvs topcommenter

Joe,
Here's some free editorial advice.  Your advertising circular is called the "Dallas Observer", not the "Observer".  The Observer is a legitimate newspaper - with subscriptions and advertisers and reporting that, in general, follows the principles of journalistic integrity.

DO doesn't have any of that.


bvckvs
bvckvs topcommenter

I was amused by the choice of the word "her" in the next-to-last paragraph.

I was talking to a labor lawyer friend of mine a while back, about how Dallas Observer only hires white people.  He joked that they also only hire girls.  I pointed out a couple of male writers and he said, "They're not men.  Look at them - the way they dress, the way they carry themselves.  They're lesbians - and not the butch kind, either.


sjs6
sjs6

Yes! Mine. You'll be receiving my email.

pak152
pak152

how about hiring a fact checker?

holmantx
holmantx topcommenter

there's an app for that.

Jesse_Hughey
Jesse_Hughey

@bvckvs If we don't have advertisers, why did you call it an advertising circular?

ChrisYu
ChrisYu

@bvckvs  overuse of dashes, serial commas and also a specious argument. appreciate your interest we'll be in touch!

joe.tone
joe.tone moderator

@pak152 I'm honestly not sure there's a newspaper in America that employs fact-checkers. Big-time magazines, definitely, but I don't think many, if any, newspapers do. There's not time, among other factors.

tdkisok
tdkisok

@ChrisYu @bvckvs

"overuse of dashes, serial commas and also a specious argument. appreciate your interest we'll be in touch!"



Apparently using capital letters is that important to you. 

bvckvs
bvckvs topcommenter

@joe.tone 

Really - a monthly publication doesn't have time to fact-check?

A quick call to any legitimate publication will give you the answer you pretend to not know - that legitimate publications do, indeed, employ fact-checkers.  TV stations do, too - and their time constraints are much more demanding than anything in print or online. 

bvckvs
bvckvs topcommenter

@tdkisok @ChrisYu @bvckvs 

It's funny as hell to see you guys using bad grammar to correct each other's grammar.

I mean, if it had been planned out and staged, it would have been lame.  But the way it just naturally, organically came together like that - funny as hell.

Sometimes I get insecure and wonder if I'm really as smart as you fools make me out to be.  But then I see a bunch of dumbasses lining up to criticize me and I know I'm on the right side of things.

tdkisok
tdkisok

@bvckvs


Your sad need for Joe to recognize you is getting pathetic. 


Look bvckvs,  obviously think you are the smartest person in every room you walk into so why not start your own publication? It would be great, call it "Big Headed Blowhard - News For Those Who Think They Know Everything".


ScottsMerkin
ScottsMerkin topcommenter

@bvckvs #TQATDA, and no, you are not smart, not even close.  In fact, you are far beyond dumb, retarded as a matter of fact.  You cant be very smart when you dont even pay your outstanding warrants that we all know about.  I hear that fall warrant round up is coming.  I bet Sanders gets a visit

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