This is a small book of commonsense advice to authors and editors – how to practise their own crafts successfully, and how they may work most effectively with one another.

‘As managing editor of a publishing house,’ Stainton explains, ‘I have seen intelligent writers reject sensible improvements proposed by editors, and I have also seen experienced editors about to suggest unnecessary changes to authors. Often, though, the lively mix of good suggestions and a willing author accomplishes small wonders. That happy combination is what I aim to foster here.’

In separate sections, Stainton speaks first to authors, then to editors. A third section deals with relations between the two and a fourth provides an annotated critical bibliography of two kinds of key reference works – dictionaries and guide to style.

Elise Stainton’s shrewd words will be of practical help to everyone who is or aspires to be an author or editor. They will interest all who have to write for a living.

Elise Myers Stainton was for many years managing editor of Cornell University Press. For this book she has adapted articles that previously appeared in Scholarly Publishing.

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