Sub-editors discuss terms, conditions and work

The UkSubs list

Sub-editors are the unsung heroes and heroines of publishing. Without them newspapers, and magazines and websites would contain many more silly mistaeksmistakes than the 0.02% two per ten thousand words <OK? & sez who?> we find.

The UkSubs mailing list is where sub-editors discuss pay, conditions, and their work.

The list is hosted by London Freelance Branch of the NUJ, and is open to people working as sub-editors in the UK and Ireland.

Yes, it was named in a sort of hommage to the punk band - see here.

To join the list, fill outin the form below. Our apologies about the convoluted prose in the computer-generated bits of this page.
Links for list members
* The UkSubs Archives

(The current archive is only available to the list members.)
* To send a message to the list, email uksubs-l@londonfreelance.org
You can also send messages to the list via the easier-to-remember address uksubs@londonfreelance.org.
Go to your control panel - suspend emails, etc
To unsubscribe from UkSubs-l, get a password reminder, or change your subscription options enter your subscription email address:

If you leave the field blank, you will be prompted for your email address
As an experiment, we're providing list members with a list of other members' email addresses.
(The subscribers list is only available to the list members.)

Enter your address and password to visit the subscribers list:

Address: Password:   
 
The list stylesheet

UkSubs is a "moderated" email list. This means that messages are screened by a "moderator" - also called an "administrator" in some of the computer-generated text below. She or he checks they are on topic, then distributes them to the list members. And that means they won't show up immediately: the moderator(s) will try to do their thing at least daily.

The list stylesheet will evolve. To start with, on-topic messages include those about:

  • pay and conditions of work for sub-editors
  • work opportunities, passing on shifts when you're double-booked, etc
  • using software as it relates to sub-editing; tips on Quark, HTML, etc...
  • research and fact-checking tips, hints and pleas

Messages will not be distributed which:

  • are actionably defamatory, obscene, criminally blasphemous or just too complicated to legal;
  • contravene the NUJ's Code of Conduct;
  • have degenerated into "flame wars";
  • are over 2500 words long; or
  • attempt to include anything that's not plain text

The plain-text-only rule serves to keep the time taken to download list messages to a minimum. It also means that it is impossible (given the state of technical knowledge and dastardly invention in September 2002) for viruses to propagate through the list. The program that runs the list also takes all plausible steps to stop your email address being "harvested" by spam merchants.
 
Joining the list

Join ("subscribe to") UkSubs by filling out the following form. You will only be able to post messages to the list from the email address you give in the form. For the moment at least, list members will see the address you give on your messages.

If you need to post anonymously, it only takes a few minutes to set up a free email account with (for example) Yahoo! mail and start a new subscription from that address. Anonymity will obviously affect the moderator's frame of mind.

You will be sent email requesting confirmation, to prevent others from gratuitously subscribing you. Once confirmation is received, your request will be held for approval by the list moderator. You will be notified of the moderator's decision by email. This is also a private list, which means that the list of members is not available to non-members.
Your name:
You belong to: Branch
Hold down <Ctrl> or 'Apple' key to select more than one
If "other", what? Organisation name
Introduce yourself to the list members:
If you want the moderators to suppress your public introduction, say so!
Your email address:
Any errors of style, spelling or punctuation in the above were introduced deliberately: you'd feel bereft if you had nothing to correct, no?
* Linkup with the NUJ so we can send client alerts
* The Rate for the Job
* The Freelance Fees Guide
 
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Last modified: 16 Oct 2007. © 2004-2007 Mike Holderness
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