IEEE details/requirements?

[Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>]

Dan Gallagher wondered: <<By posting to this list, I know I run the 
risk of being smeared, humiliated and/or scorned>>

Consider it done. <g> Now that we've got that unpleasantness out of the 
way, on to the actual question:

<<A while back I prepared a 97 page very technical document for my 
boss... His protoge told me after the IEEE's initial review, it needed 
major changes. The changes are of technical nature, no reflection on 
me... Anyway, my boss just asked me to give his protoge the folder with 
everything for this doc so she can give the file to the IEEE. My boss 
said that the IEEE will make all the necessary revisions and edit the 
text. Is it normal for the IEEE to revise and edit documents that are 
submitted to them, or is my boss "finding someone else" to work on the 
doc?>>

There's no substitute for actually asking your boss what's going on; 
present your question without whining or seeming too paranoid. Try 
something along the lines of "I'm new to this particular type of 
workflow. What's the purpose of moving the job to someone else at this 
point? I have no problem with that, but I want to learn _why_ the 
procedure goes this way so I can do the work better next time. For the 
same reason, I also want to make sure that my work is satisfactory and 
find out what needs to be done better next time."

All that being said, it's perfectly normal for any publisher to edit 
what they publish--and often edit it very heavily indeed. Ever noticed 
how everyone who writes for PC Magazine (or Time or People or whatever) 
sounds basically the same? That's because the publisher has a very 
clear house style, and manipulates every author's voice until it fits 
that style. The difference between what was submitted and what gets 
published is sometimes night and day, and it can be a real struggle to 
maintain your authorial voice. (I speak from experience.)

<<Thank you, and I know I'm not worthy. Can I get off my knees now?>>

That depends. Have you learned true humility yet, grasshopper? <g>

--Geoff Hart   ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)


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