Reflections from Pulitzer Prize winners, newsroom executives, bestselling authors, and trainees.
“You could scour the journalism and publishing worlds for a lifetime and never find an editor as good as Merrill Perlman. She is tough, sensible, rigorous and devoted to the power of words, which she approaches with an unmatched degree of erudition and respect. She has also successfully managed a large group of idiosyncratic and sometimes cranky professionals (the copy editors of The New York Times). This is a crowd that doesn’t dispense respect easily. Even in this demanding group, Merrill’s editing was regarded with awe.”
“Merrill Perlman is, quite simply, a master of the art and craft of copy editing. As a practitioner, a manager and a teacher, she knows every facet -- from the nuances of word choice to the complexities of the copy editor personality. When I worked under Merrill, the Times copy desk organization ran like clockwork because of her sure hand and clear direction. I'll also throw in a word about her people skills: They're second to none. She approaches her work with humor and humanity.”
“We hired Merrill to put together and deliver a customized copyedit training course for a team of a dozen editors. We were very pleased with both her preparation and results. She was not just thorough and precise, but very communicative and customer service-oriented. We certainly recommend her work, whatever your editing needs.”
“I learned more about writing and managing my work in three weeks with Merrill than I have in my entire 15-year career. I didn’t want to let her go after the course ended. Her approach is welcoming, respectful, honest and funny. Every newsroom, every writer, needs a Merrill.”
“I’m a prickly writer — defensive when I’m wrong and imperious when I’m right — but there has never been a moment when I questioned Merrill’s critique of anything I’ve written. She’s gentle and deferential, but she’s meticulous, and she’s always right.”
“Merrill is an editor’s editor. But there’s more. She is also a writer’s editor, because she makes good stories great, work that will make the writer proud without feeling a loss of ownership. And, perhaps most important, she is a reader’s editor. As much as she can make stories better, her coaching makes for better editors. She’s a wonderful person to work for, and with, and she makes it all look effortless.”
“Merrill Perlman is such a pro and made some invaluable suggestions!”
“I’m pleased to recommend my former colleague Merrill Perlman without hesitation. Merrill has a sterling resume as a journalism and communications professional. She is among the smartest and best editors I’ve known. Merrill’s quick wit and intelligence make her a joy to work with.”
“The compleat copy editor, Merrill is as fine a manager of people as she is of prose. Many of her colleagues at The New York Times remember her as a skilled and professional colleague, others as a valued mentor and still others as a patient yet demanding teacher. And more than a few would say all of the above.”
“Merrill Perlman is a creative, energetic newsroom manager who is in her own right a master practitioner of the editing craft. Her ability to spot and effectively deploy outstanding editing talent helped The New York Times for years maintain its position as one of the best edited newspapers on the planet.”
“Merrill has written two four-page features for my magazine, The New York Times Upfront. Even her first time out it was clear she completely understood who our readers were and what they wanted. She needed minimal editing, and was a pleasure to work with. I worked for Merrill at The Times — she was a total pro as a boss, and is a total pro in her current role.”
“If you’re seeking an editor who will bring truth, insight, clarity, and zing to your copy, look no further than Merrill Perlman, who was hands down one of the best editors I encountered during my 20 years at The New York Times.”
“Merrill has presented numerous seminars for ACES: The Society for Editing. Her presentations are tremendously popular and informative; their content is relevant and enlightening; and her presence in the room is engaging and energizing. Merrill is top-notch at what she does, and I thoroughly recommend her.”
“Merrill sets the standard in this country — perhaps for the world — on how to be precise in language, how to be factual so the story is more compelling, and how to be clear so individuals can make up their own minds about what the story means. Merrill leads. We, and the world’s citizens, would do well to emulate her veracity.”