The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.1273  Wednesday, 30 May 2001

From:           David Lindley <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Tuesday, 29 May 2001 11:06:43 +0100
Subject: 12.1258 Scholarly Editing
Comment:        Re: SHK 12.1258 Scholarly Editing

>I have seen some startlingly illiterate and silly books in that field
>recently from respectable university presses.  Do list members think
>there is a comparable problem in Renaissance and Shakespeare studies? If
>so, to what do you attribute the phenomenon?  Thanks in advance.
>
>Arthur Lindley

I think the standard of scholarly editing, in the major series of
Shakespeare and other texts (Revels, New Mermaids, etc.) is very high.
Not only do general editors have oversight, but the publishers do take
great trouble with copy-editing and proofing.  But many publishers have
cut back ruthlessly on in-house procedures, requesting 'camera-ready'
copy from their authors - this, I would think, is one of the major
causes of slipshod and inadequate materials making their way onto the
market.  (Though anyone who has ever edited a collection of essays by
varied contributors must know that not all academics are as patient in
getting things right as one might expect.....)

David Lindley
Professor of Renaissance Literature
School of English
University of Leeds

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