The Great Typo Hunt Part 13

The girl's uniforms were dirty after field hockey practice.

the womens' secret society HOW TO HANDLE-First decide if the possessive word is supposed to be singular or plural. For a possessive word that already has an s s, just tack the apostrophe on to the end to make it possessive as well. If the word is a plural that doesn't have an s s (the word itself is a plural form), add an apostrophe and then an (the word itself is a plural form), add an apostrophe and then an s s, just like you would to a singular word.

The girls' uniforms were dirty after field hockey practice.

the women's secret society Genus: Misspellings Species: Junction Errors HOW TO SPOT-These mutants are the result of word experiments gone terribly awry. Two word parts, such as a verb and a suffix, have been incorrectly joined together. With an understanding of phonics, you can recognize Junction Errors right away, because their misspelling leads to misp.r.o.nouncing them.

Dinning room Next-day s.h.i.+ping HOW TO HANDLE-There are rules for determining how a root connects to a suffix. Though there are exceptions, here's the general set of rules: For a word ending in a double-consonant double-consonant, just add on the suffix befriend + -ing = befriending friend + -s.h.i.+p = friends.h.i.+p For a word ending in e e, drop the e e if the suffix begins with a if the suffix begins with a vowel vowel (this eliminates a confusing double-vowel sound) (this eliminates a confusing double-vowel sound) loose -en = loosen loose + -ly = loosely For a word ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant consonant-vowel-consonant, double the last consonant last consonant if the suffix begins with a if the suffix begins with a vowel vowel (this is so the short vowel sound can be indicated by the double-consonant) (this is so the short vowel sound can be indicated by the double-consonant) s.h.i.+p -ing = s.h.i.+pping s.h.i.+p + -ment = s.h.i.+pment Hence: Dining room Next-day s.h.i.+pping Species: h.o.m.ophone Errors HOW TO SPOT-These insidious sirens lure an inattentive speller to the rocks of blundering with their familiar song. h.o.m.ophone Errors happen in writing when a word is confused for another perfectly valid word that sounds sounds just like it. just like it.

Don't slam on the breaks!

I've got a splinter in my heal.

HOW TO HANDLE-Since the "wrong" word is still spelled correctly, spell-checking software will overlook these mistakes. So might your eye. The only way to spot these is by carefully rereading your work (see "The Art of Editing," below). Simply checking over what you've written is a grate, er, great way to catch these mistakes.

Don't slam on the brakes!

I've got a splinter in my heel.

Species: Common Misspellings HOW TO SPOT-The horde of Common Misspellings is diverse indeed: words with transposed letters, single letters instead of double letters, wrong vowels, and so on.

Restaraunt, cappucino, independant, definately, Sahara Dessert ...

HOW TO HANDLE-a.s.suming you weren't taught with phonics (and sometimes even if you were), you'll need to have memorized the antidote to every individual Common Misspelling, of which there are hundreds. Until we're capable of adding "extra memory" to our brains like we do with computers, why clog up precious mental resources? Instead, have a dictionary ready. This is the weapon that can neutralize the hobgoblins of misspelling. First, merely notice whenever you're unsure of a word spelling, then consult the dictionary to help you cast the proper spell...ing. If no dictionary is available, at least consult another person nearby. Sometimes multiple people can determine what "looks right" to the computer-brains we already have.

Restaurant, cappuccino, independent, definitely, Sahara Desert ...

Genus: Agreement Errors Species: Article/Noun Disagreement HOW TO SPOT-Article/Noun Disagreements are mischievous imps that specialize in tripping up the tongue. The wrong choice of a a v. v. an an before a noun will sound funny. before a noun will sound funny.

a apple an banana HOW TO HANDLE-To make a/an a/an agree with the noun it precedes, you want to avoid a double-consonant or double-vowel sound. If the noun begins with a vowel sound, it takes agree with the noun it precedes, you want to avoid a double-consonant or double-vowel sound. If the noun begins with a vowel sound, it takes an an (which ends with a consonant sound) in front of it; if it begins with a consonant, it takes (which ends with a consonant sound) in front of it; if it begins with a consonant, it takes a a (a vowel sound). This is why words beginning with a silent (a vowel sound). This is why words beginning with a silent h h also take an. The sound combination makes the words flow together better when spoken. also take an. The sound combination makes the words flow together better when spoken.

an apple a banana Species: Subject/Verb Disagreement HOW TO SPOT-Subject/Verb Disagreements sow discord between the two most important parts of a sentence. They are tricksters that cause a singular noun to wind up with a plural-form verb, or vice versa.

The lime are tasty.

Lemons is good for you.

HOW TO HANDLE-Don't let your nouns make the wrong choice for their verb mates, or things are likely to get nasty. If the noun is singular, be sure that the verb that goes along with it is in singular form as well; if the noun is plural, give it a plural-form verb.

The lime is tasty.

Lemons are good for you.

Bonus: Style and Savvy Care and Feeding of the Common Comma When it comes to clarity of communication, commas are vital companions. An omitted comma in a list will cause confusion (such as the perplexing item in the middle of this shopping list: "bread, lasagna, turkey carrots, milk, O.J."). An extraneous comma can change the meaning of a sentence entirely ("Give me a piece of that apple, cobbler").

However, to stop at the comma's purely technical usage is to discredit the surprising power of this humble breed of punctuation. Commas can be a marker of an individual writer's style and voice just as surely as the words she is using. When you want the reader to rush through sentences, use commas sparingly. When a more leisurely, intricate pace is called for, plant more commas. Wherever you'd like the reader to take a breath, deploy a comma. You are shaping the voice the reader hears in his head.

The Art of Editing It's a good policy to go back and read over what you've written. You'll easily spot true typographical errors, and you're likely to spot other mistakes, too. A general check is helpful not only for catching misspellings or grammatical mistakes, but also for enhancing general readability. The first look back is a chance to ensure that your text says what you want it to, which is about more than just catching technical errors. Were you clear in what you meant? Is your message easy to follow?

Reading through your work again after that first technical edit, you can scrutinize your sentences and sharpen your message. This next edit is more focused on technique and style as you refine phrasing and word choice. There's no such thing as a perfect first draft, just as in writing there's no single "right" answer; use a second edit (or more!) to improve the clarity and power of your words.

References "Albany Tulip Festival in Was.h.i.+ngton Park." Albany.com, http://www.albany.com/news/tulip-festival.cfm Amador, Xavier. I'm Right, You're Wrong, Now What?: Break the Impa.s.se and Get What You Need I'm Right, You're Wrong, Now What?: Break the Impa.s.se and Get What You Need. New York: Hyperion, 2008.

a.s.sociated Press. "Grammar Police Punished for 'Fixing' Rare Sign." MSNBC (and elsewhere), August 22, 2008. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26351328/ ---. "Iowa College Apologizes for Offensive Typo." MSNBC, September 25, 2008. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26891761/ Ayres, Ian. Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-by-Numbers Is the New Way to Be Smart Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-by-Numbers Is the New Way to Be Smart. New York: Bantam Books, 2007.

Balmuth, Miriam. The Roots of Phonics: A Historical Introduction The Roots of Phonics: A Historical Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill Book, 1982.

Bauer, Laurie. Watching English Change Watching English Change. New York: Longman, 1994.

Boyer, Peter J. "One Angry Man: Is Keith Olbermann Changing TV News?" The New Yorker The New Yorker, June 23, 2008.

Bryson, Bill. The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way. New York: Harper Perennial, 1991.

Burnley, J. D. "Sources of Standardization in Later Middle English." Standardizing English: Essays in the History of Language Change Standardizing English: Essays in the History of Language Change, edited by Joseph B. Trahern Jr. Tennessee Studies in Literature, vol. 31. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 1989.

The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.

Cletus, Seabiscute, Al Cyone, et al. Comments from "No Typo Is an Island," Typo Hunt Across America Typo Hunt Across America, March 20, 2008, http://www.jeffdeck.com/teal/blog Conan Doyle, Arthur. A Study in Scarlet A Study in Scarlet. London: Penguin Cla.s.sics, 2001.

Copeland, Larry. "Casino Proposal Bets on Underground Atlanta," USA Today USA Today, February 2, 2009. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-02-02-underground-atlanta_N.htm Crystal, David. The Fight for English: How Language Pundits Ate, Shot, and Left The Fight for English: How Language Pundits Ate, Shot, and Left. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2007.

---. Txtng: The Gr8 Db8 Txtng: The Gr8 Db8. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2008.

Dello Stritto, Mike. "Paraplegic Man Suffers Spider Bite, Walks Again." CBS 13, March 12, 2009. http://cbs13.com/watercooler/Paraplegic.Man.Suffers.2.958151.html Dixon, Robert, and Siegfried Engelmann. SRA Spelling Mastery Series Guide SRA Spelling Mastery Series Guide. Columbus, OH: SRA, 2007.

"Domestic Names-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." U.S. Board on Geographic Names. http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/faqs.htm Drabble, Margaret and Jenny Stringer. "Francis of a.s.sisi, St. Giovanni Frances...o...b..rnardone." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2003.

"Fell's (Not Fells) Point." Baltimore Magazine Baltimore Magazine, April 15, 2009. http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/eyesonthestreet/index.php/2009/ 04/fells-not-fells-point/ Finegan, Edward. Att.i.tudes Toward English Usage: The History of a War of Words Att.i.tudes Toward English Usage: The History of a War of Words. New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University, 1980.

Flesch, Rudolf. Why Johnny Can't Read: And What You Can Do About It Why Johnny Can't Read: And What You Can Do About It. New York: Perennial Library, 1955, 1986.

---. Why Johnny Why Johnny Still Still Can't Read Can't Read. New York: Harper Colophon, 1983.

"Friday's Quote of the Day," BBC Magazine Monitor, June 27, 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/2008/06/22-week/ Gladwell, Malcolm. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. New York: Back Bay Books, 2002.

"Governor Isaac Stevens' Territorial Library Collection." Was.h.i.+ngton Secretary of State. http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/territorialcollection.aspx Grossen, Bonnie, ed. "The Story Behind Project Follow Through." Effective School Practices Effective School Practices 15, no. 1 (winter 199596). a.s.sociation for Direct Instruction. 15, no. 1 (winter 199596). a.s.sociation for Direct Instruction.

"History of Underground Atlanta." Underground Atlanta website, http://www.underground-atlanta.com/about-us/history-of-underground.html Kleiner, Art. Who Really Matters? The Core Group Theory of Power, Privilege, and Success Who Really Matters? The Core Group Theory of Power, Privilege, and Success. New York: Currency/Doubleday, 2003.

Larson, Erik. Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History. New York: Vintage Books, 1999.

Lerer, Seth. Inventing English Inventing English. New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.

Lissner, Caren. "So, Does Veterans Day Have a f.u.c.king Apostrophe or What?" The Black Table The Black Table, October 18, 2005. http://www.blacktable.com/lissner051018.htm Liu, Irene Jay. "'Barack Osama' absentee ballot sent to voters in Rensselaer County." Albany Times Union Albany Times Union, October 10, 2008. http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/8953/ Mikkelson, Barbara and David P. "Niger Innis." Snopes, February 19, 2008. http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/innis.asp Miles, Elaine. English Words and Their Spelling: A History of Phonological Conflicts English Words and Their Spelling: A History of Phonological Conflicts. London: Whurr Publishers, 2005.

Milgram, Stanley. Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View. New York: Harper & Row, 1974.

Monaghan, E. Jennifer. A Common Heritage: Noah Webster's Blue-Black Speller A Common Heritage: Noah Webster's Blue-Black Speller. North Haven, CT: Archon Books, 1983.

Mountford, John. An Insight into English Spelling An Insight into English Spelling. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1998.

Mueller, Andrew. "Linguistic Pedants of the World Unite." The Guardian The Guardian, April 14, 2008. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/apr/14/linguisticp edantsoftheworldunite Mugglestone, Lynda, ed. Lexicography and the OED: Pioneers in the Untrodden Forest Lexicography and the OED: Pioneers in the Untrodden Forest. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2000.

National a.s.sessment of Adult Literacy. National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, http://nces.ed.gov/naal/kf_demographics.asp O'Conner, Patricia T. (3rd ed.). Woe Is I Woe Is I. New York: Riverhead Books, 2009.

Office of the United States Attorney, District of Arizona. "Pair Sentenced for Vandalism to Historic Work in Grand Canyon National Park." U.S. Department of Justice press release, August 21, 2008.

Osselton, N. E. Chosen Words: Past and Present Problems for Dictionary Makers Chosen Words: Past and Present Problems for Dictionary Makers. Exeter, England: University of Exeter Press, 1995.

---. The Dumb Linguists The Dumb Linguists. Leiden, Netherlands: Leiden University Press, 1973.

Pinker, Steven. The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language. New York: Harper Perennial, 1995.

Shafer, Jack. "Weasel-Words Rip My Fles.h.!.+" Slate Slate, September 20, 2005. http://www.slate.com/id/2126636/ Shea, Ammon. "The Price of a Self-Righteous Holiday." OUPblog, August 28, 2008, http://blog.oup.com/2008/08/emense/ Swift, Jonathan. Polite Conversation in Three Dialogues Polite Conversation in Three Dialogues, edited by George Saintsbury. Chiswick Press: London, 1892.

Toffler, Alvin. Future Shock Future Shock. New York: Bantam Books, 1971.

Truss, Lynne. Talk to the Hand: The Utter b.l.o.o.d.y Rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door Talk to the Hand: The Utter b.l.o.o.d.y Rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door. New York: Gotham, 2005.

United States District Court for the District of Arizona. United States of America v. Jeff Michael Deck & Benjamin Douglas Herson United States of America v. Jeff Michael Deck & Benjamin Douglas Herson. Case number: 08-04086M-002-PCT-MEA. Flagstaff, AZ: August 2008. Transcribed by Candy Potter: Phoenix, AZ, July 2009.

Venezky, Richard L. The Structure of English Orthography The Structure of English Orthography. Netherlands: Mouton & Co., 1970.

"Venomous Spider Bite Cures Paraplegic." The Week The Week, March 19, 2009. http://www.theweek.com/article/index/94426/Venomous_spider_bite_ cures_paraplegic Wagner, Dennis. "Typo Vigilantes Answer to Letter of the Law." Arizona Republic Arizona Republic, August 22, 2008, http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/22/20080822 grammarcops0822.html Wanjek, Christopher. "Spider Bite Cures Paralyzed Man: Miracle or Bad Reporting?" LiveScience.com, March 24, 2009. http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/090324-bad-spider-bite.html Waterhouse, Ben. "Restaurant Apocalypse 2008: Elmer's, Sal's, Hartwell's." Willamette Week Willamette Week, Portland, OR, November 10, 2008. http://blogs.wweek.com/news/2008/11/10/restaurant-apocalypse-2008-elmers-sals-hartwells/ Watkins, Cathy. "Follow Through: Why Didn't We?" Effective School Practices Effective School Practices 15, no. 1(winter 199596). a.s.sociation for Direct Instruction. 15, no. 1(winter 199596). a.s.sociation for Direct Instruction.

Weinstein, Lawrence A. Grammar for the Soul: Using Language for Personal Change Grammar for the Soul: Using Language for Personal Change. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books, 2008.

Winchester, Simon. The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2003.

---. The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary. New York: Harper Perennial, 1998.

Wolman, David. Righting the Mother Tongue: From Olde English to Email, the Tangled Story of English Spelling Righting the Mother Tongue: From Olde English to Email, the Tangled Story of English Spelling. New York: Collins, 2008.

"Worst Person in the World." Countdown with Keith Olbermann Countdown with Keith Olbermann, August 22, 2008.

Acknowledgments.

Many thanks to Julia Pastore, who believed in this project from the start, for all of her careful attentions. She promised an editorial style of raising important questions, offering gentle guidance that led us to find the book we wanted to write. Also to Domenica Alioto, who makes sure Julia doesn't leave her office without her head firmly attached.

We'd like to extend a thank-you and a hearty hurrah to everyone at Harmony Books; you saw what was significant about our struggle for orthographic justice-and got the joke, too. To Kira Walton, a.s.sociate director of marketing, Campbell Wharton, director of publicity, and Penny Simon, executive publicist, for patiently helping two neophytes to introduce their book to the world in a way that would best connect it to readers who'd love it. To Shaye Areheart, publisher of Harmony Books, for welcoming us into the fold and for a.s.sembling such a fantastic team. To David Wade Smith, for superior copyediting. To Patty Shaw, production editor; Jessie Bright, jacket designer; and Elina Nudelman, text designer.

A special thanks to our agent, Jeff Kleinman, the man who never sleeps. You tracked us down, told us we "had to be writing a book," and introduced us to the folks at Harmony. We couldn't have gotten here without you. Thanks also to the whole team at Folio Lit.

We're very grateful to everyone who was kind enough to host us and other TEAL a.s.sociates during our typo hunt across America: Alice and Brian, Raisha Price, Diane and David Herson, Abby Horowitz and Eli Rosenberg, Paula and Ben Sides, Stephanie Bortis, Christine Laliberte, Frank Yos.h.i.+da, Katie Lynch and Lisa Torrey, Jon Schroeder, Mich.e.l.le Grimard, Marie and Terry Huizing, Jessica Deck, R. Jerry and Toni Deck, Grandma Mary Jane Deck, Dan and Rachel Herson, Bill Bortis and E. Kristen Frederick, and Susan Deck. We would never have made it without such a surfeit of hospitality.

Thanks so much to everyone who wrote in to express their support for the TEAL trip while it was happening and in the months that followed. You were a constant reminder that the trip was worthwhile, so crucial during those days when our efforts met blank stares and brush-offs. You (and those who thoughtfully purchased this book) are the future of the League. We can't wait to work with you in further campaigns for improvement of spelling and grammar education.

We would also like to thank Dr. Joe McCleary, Chris Finn, Gina McKinnon, Nicole Gregory, Kelly Flynn, and Bridget Sheehan at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School for demonstrating to us the marvels of Direct Instruction. Thanks also to Jerry Silbert of NIFDI. Thanks as well to Tim Cahill, a creative collaborator and good friend who gave chapter 18 chapter 18 a read-through and then explained to us what had happened in that courtroom; to Kevin Allen, who let us use his personal story; and to Chris Collins. a read-through and then explained to us what had happened in that courtroom; to Kevin Allen, who let us use his personal story; and to Chris Collins.

Jeff Deck Special thanks to Uncle Pat for rousting the local media in Erie, and to Uncle Danny for the free food at his sports bar, On Deck. Thanks to Gary for the free sandwiches in Ellensburg, Was.h.i.+ngton. Thanks to Lisa Watson of Cupcake Jones in Portland, Oregon, for the free cupcakes. Thanks to my friends in Somerville who presented me with a generous gas card at my birthday/farewell party: Krystina and James Bruce, Tim Tufts and Ainsley Ross, Emily Perry and Joe O'Brien, and Sonya Grabauskas. Thanks to Dana Tellier and Carol Stamnas Tellier for an equally generous offering. Thanks to Aunt Carol and Uncle George for the road-trip a.s.sistance. Thanks to Uncle Bill and Aunt Kristen for lending me a hand in times of legal trouble. Thank you to Josh Roberts for partic.i.p.ating in the West Coast leg of the trip, including a lot of driving. Also thank you to Erin Donovan for putting up with Benjamin and me as we finished the book.

Thanks to Professor Ernie Hebert, teacher, writer, and adviser at Dartmouth College, for offering so many helpful insights into the craft of writing. Thanks to Mr. Joe Sullivan of West High School in New Hamps.h.i.+re for sparking my interest in writing in the first place. As for my training in editing, copyediting, and proofreading, I can credit the instruction and example of my supervisors at (now-defunct) Heldref Publications: Paul Skalleberg, Marie Huizing, Jennifer Pricola (Horak), and Abby Beckel.

I'm indebted to Jane Connolly for designing the TEAL website, patiently enduring my long absence during the trip, accompanying me through the northern plains, and later patiently enduring my summons to Arizona (and branding as a criminal). Her love and support sure helped the writing of this book, too. Much love, bear.

Thanks to my mom for offering suggestions on the ma.n.u.script and for consistently supporting my dreams and endeavors. I've been continually inspired by her strength and savvy; singlehandedly raising me could not have been an easy task. Thanks to my dad for the a.s.sistance during the trip and for doing his best to scout out typo territory in Hudson, Ohio, and its environs. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what the "R." in R. Jerry Deck stands for, because I do want to live until my next birthday.

Benjamin D. Herson Thanks first to David and Diane Herson for causing me to exist. Oh, and I suppose thanks also for all their tremendous, unwavering love and support over the next thirty years and counting. To Dan Herson, the awesomest little brother a boy could have. To Jenny, about whom I'm thoroughly crazy, thanks hardly begins to suffice; in fact, if someone could invent a better word for love that isn't so cliched, I could really use it about now. Thanks to Jenny and my mom for reading through the book and offering suggestions.

Keeping up with Jeff required some serious skills, developed over a long time thanks to an improbably good run of excellent teachers. Most notable for the creation of this book are Teacher Janis (for getting permission to teach me how to read, and for using phonics to do so), my four amazing First Colonial High School English teachers, Mrs. Daugherty, Mr. Kaminski, Mrs. Haring, and Mrs. Antley (really, I was going to be a mathematician before you guys showed me how I could play with language more than I could with numbers), and many more in between. Excellent teachers really do make all the difference. Further sharpening my writing (directly and indirectly) at Dartmouth College were Professors Hebert, Garrod, Pfister, and my thesis adviser Professor Susan Ackerman.

Other a.s.sorted thanks: To Borders, both up the ladder where everyone has supported one of their own, and among my many friends (it's going to be weird knowing you guys are handing off my book-at least you'll always have something to recommend). To Lisa and Katie for letting me show up early and helping me pull off a fun surprise. Also to the folks at the San Diego Point Loma hostel who helped with my April Fool's Day typo correction. To Chris Baty for National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org), which Jeff and I have partic.i.p.ated in annually since '03, which helped us put in the writing time so that when this opportunity arose, we were ready for it.

More random thanks yet: To Stephen Colbert for what he said about Keith Olbermann on the 11/6/08 show; we sincerely hope that you too will be selected one of Olbermann's Worst in the World, and we agree that his glaring oversight of not honoring you thusly is as absurd as it is insulting. To Jon Stewart for getting me through eight very long years.

Special final thanks: To Allen White and my whole Unity in Silver Spring family; you always believed. Melissa, Doug, Peter, Justin, and all my amazing Rally friends, there when I needed you most.

About the Authors

JEFF DECK has worked in Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., and Boston as an editor. He enjoys speculative fiction books and role-playing games, as well as drawing comics. He grew up in Manchester, New Hamps.h.i.+re, and now lives in Portsmouth, New Hamps.h.i.+re, with his girlfriend, Jane. They have zero cats. has worked in Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., and Boston as an editor. He enjoys speculative fiction books and role-playing games, as well as drawing comics. He grew up in Manchester, New Hamps.h.i.+re, and now lives in Portsmouth, New Hamps.h.i.+re, with his girlfriend, Jane. They have zero cats.

BENJAMIN D. HERSON grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hamps.h.i.+re, and lived in the D.C. area for seven years. He now lives in Beaverton, Oregon, with his symbiant, Jenny; they are happily unmarried to each other. They work at rival bookstores, read a lot, and have zero cats. He is also an Eagle Scout and a fan of science fiction. grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hamps.h.i.+re, and lived in the D.C. area for seven years. He now lives in Beaverton, Oregon, with his symbiant, Jenny; they are happily unmarried to each other. They work at rival bookstores, read a lot, and have zero cats. He is also an Eagle Scout and a fan of science fiction.

www.greattypohunt.com