Welcome to our mini-series introducing the new editorial board at The Editors’ Weekly! This week, meet Aalap Trivedi.
What kind of editing work do you do?
In my full-time job, I edit textbooks and learning materials for the skilled trades. In my editing business, I work on curriculum documents, research reports, scholarly papers and book manuscripts — mostly in economics, politics, international relations, but sometimes in corporate law and social/economic history.
What about your work do you find the most exciting? Most challenging?
Most exciting: Understanding the author’s use of English. It gives me a sense of how they think and how they communicate beyond the written word. For repeat clients, this is really helpful. I also like looking at the same text through different lens (that is, once for grammar, once for language and word choice, once for overall logic and flow within the document).
Most challenging: Being mostly nocturnal, I find it really difficult to meet daytime deadlines and attend morning and afternoon meetings. Also, I find it challenging to say no to economics, but I’m working on it… “It’s okay to say no.” and all that…
What drew you to volunteer for The Editors’ Weekly?
I wanted to contribute to the wealth of knowledge that the editing community has to offer, to both fellow editors as well as everyone else. I believe knowledge is a public good from which everyone should benefit, and being a part of The Editors’ Weekly enables me to co-create and share knowledge.
What kinds of articles do you want to edit and publish for The Editors’ Weekly?
I’m open to anything that our community has to offer. I would love to see articles that show how truly heterogenous editors are and how diverse our skills are. Stuff that breaks the stereotype of an editor. (Whatever the stereotype may be: working under a big pile of books? Working alone and away from people? We editors are so much more than that!)
When you’re not editing, what do you like to do?
I like taking walks. I’m trying to get myself to jog, and maybe I’ll get there sometime this year. I also enjoy riding my bicycle; it’s something I’ve done regularly since childhood. Wherever I travel, I make it a point to install myself in a local cafe and experience the sights and sounds of the place, and taste the local coffee, of course.
What are you reading right now?
Nationalism Without Walls: The Unbearable Lightness of Being Canadian by Richard J. Gwyn: I’m still not quite sure what to make of this one. As an immigrant, I’m just absorbing the content and reflecting on what it means to be Canadian.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari: Harari’s works are often a lot to take in. This book has a useful discussion on AI taking over human jobs and how it may or may not work out practically, if at all.
What’s your favourite punctuation mark and why?
Full stop (or period). There’s something quite abrupt and grumpy about it that I love. Especially with short sentences.
What quirky convention would you want added to a style guide of your choice?
Proposed entry in the fictitious Canadian Manual of Style (CanMoS): When typing something to convey a strong emotion (such as anger or disgust), start by apologizing (profusely, if relevant) and then addressing the recipient as either “bud” or “buddy.” End the statement with the term “eh.” Such application of style ensures true adherence to Canadian style: apology, hint of friendliness, and an attempt to elicit acknowledgement or agreement.
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Aalap Trivedi
Aalap has been editing since 2015, primarily working on scholarly projects in economics, management, and history, often working with ESL authors. He also works on research reports, educational materials, annual reports, etc. He loves meeting and learning from other editors. When not editing, Aalap likes to read economics and history, and sometimes the odd fiction book. He also likes watching obscure British comedy shows.