Editorial Process Policy
- Pitching
Ideas for content are either pitched by editors to contributors or vice versa. Editors will often send out pitch email to their contributor base who can then individually pick up assignments. Contributors may also send content ideas to editors, who will either accept, reject, or modify the pitch. Editors will set a deadline for the piece to be filed by the contributor. - Section Editing
Section editors receive their content and perform an edit for grammar, style, legality, and uniformity according to the Peak’s style guide. Edited pieces are then submitted to the Editor in Chief (EIC) and the Copy Editor through shared Google Docs. All content is due to be filed by the time of the weekly collective meeting, unless explicit permission from the EIC and Copy Editor has been given beforehand (ex: event coverage, breaking news). - Collective Meeting
At the weekly collective meeting, section editors present their print and web content for the week and give estimated page counts. From these page estimates, it is decided by the collective what the overall page count will be, which is always a multiple of four. It is also decided what the concept for the cover image will be, whether it will be a photograph or graphic design, and which stories will have copy on the cover. The question for Peak Speak is also decided. A final post-mortem is done on the paper that was printed that week, which is going through page by page and critiqued for content and design. - First Edit
Once copy has been submitted, it is looked over by both the EIC and the Copy Editor. The EIC either gives approval, asks for changes, or recommends to kill the piece. The Copy Editor does a first edit for accuracy, flow, style, grammar, spelling, and adherence to style guide. Once the piece of content has been revised and approved by both the EIC and the Copy Editor, it is cleared. - Photos and Illustrations
Requests for photos and illustrations are made by section editors to the Photo Editor and the Production Editor. The Photo Editor and the Production Editor are responsible for executing these requests to the best of their ability, using their own skills, as well as their pools of contributors and staff. - Layout
Once content has been cleared first, it is ready to be laid out for print. The Production Editor coordinates with the Business Manager and the Layout Assistant(s) to arrange ads and content on pages. The Business Manager places ads on particular pages. The Production Editor and the Layout Assistant(s) lay out the content physically on the pages, using pre-existing formats or formats of their own design. - Second and Final
Once content has been laid out, each page goes to the Proofreader for a second edit on the physical printout. This second edit also involves looking for accuracy, flow, style, grammar, spelling, and adherence to style guide. Once the Proofreader has made these suggested edits on the physical page, the page goes to the section editor, who uses makes the changes on the InDesign file. The page with the second changes is printed out once again and given to the Copy Editor for a final edit of the physical page. - Web
After a piece of content has been through second and final, it is ready to be put online. Section editor are responsible for putting their content online through their individual WordPress account and post-dating the post for when the content is to be released. - Exporting and Sending to Printers
Once the final edit has been completed, each page is exported to a PDF file. These PDF files are looked over once again by the copy editor and given final approval by the EIC, making changes and re-exporting when necessary. The Production Editor is responsible for checking over all pages and ensuring the quality and consistency of the print design. They are also responsible for the production of the final cover image. Once all pages have been exported, they are amalgamated into a single PDF file and sent to the printers.
