Go Ahead and Ask the Editor

Over on our forum, we often ask each other questions about writing and the mechanics of a manuscript. Most recently someone got instructions from an editor to include “breakout boxes” in an article. The poster asked if a breakout was the same thing as a sidebar. It sounded like a side bar to me, but I wasn’t sure. Someone else described what I know as callouts… a quote from the article that’s used to control space, usually in a box with large type. Obviously none of us, and we’ve got some real experts there, had a clue.

So the gal who posted the question got smart and asked the editor. She got a detailed explanation and she’s all set… for that publication. Another might have called this a sidebar or a callout or something else entirely.

The point is, although there are some general definitions for how editors want manuscripts, the details are often specific to the publication. You never lose by asking for clarification from an editor or other person you’re writing for. Sure, we all like to appear professional and as if we know what we’re doing. Well, we do but there’s also no way to be sure about everything, so the answer is to ask.

Write well and often,