Thread by @lynnjohnstonlit

A publishing contract I’m reviewing comes with a helpful ms style guide, which I think is genius. An author recently had a horrible experience with the publisher-hired copy editor who didn’t even know these basic terms. Highlights 👇

✔️Do not hyphenate Asian American, African American, Indian American.

✔️ When possible, specify the Native American tribe instead of using just Native American or Indigenous.

✔️Capitalize Black when referring to people of the African diaspora; Lowercase brown and white because they do not refer to a shared race, ethnicity, or culture.

✔️For unspecified singular pronouns, they/their/them is preferred over he/she.

✔️Jewish people is preferred over Jews.

✔️When using an acronym to refer to the queer community, options include LGBTQ (preferred by GLAAD), LGBTQ+ (preferred by NYT), or LGBTQIA+.

✔️Person with disability is preferred over disabled person. Don’t equate a person with their condition e.g. epileptic. Focus on abilities not limitations e.g. uses a wheelchair instead of confined to a wheelchair.

Please don’t be one of those #grammar traditionalists. Language constantly evolves and if you are a serious writer, it is your job to keep up with the state of the art. #amwriting #writingtip

The style guide also states that a subject’s self identification takes precedence even if it contradicts, and the author and editor should discuss when in doubt.

This particular point from this publisher seems to come from ADA guidelines, which also notes as does the publisher that individual preferences come first. adata.org/factsheet/ADAN…

But given the vehement debate between person first vs identity first, I wonder if the default guidelines should change.

I don’t know why these guidelines advised to use “Jewish people” but this article gives some context. washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-f…

Adding to the thread: A few years ago, I wanted to add to a publishing contact that “Black” be capitalized in the ms. Now it’s standard. The disability discussion on this thread has been eye opening. The guidance should adapt.