This blog, which is nearly two years old, recently welcomed its 25,000th visitor. Everyone knows the press is a sucker for big, round numbers as "milestones," so in that spirit, I offer this recap, highs and lows alike, at The Editor's Desk so far:
Number of posts: 494
Most visitors in one month: 1,731 (March 2008).
Most visitors in one month: 1,731 (March 2008).
Most enduring post: When I discussed alternative story forms and copy editing, a post from 2007 that still gets several hits a day.
Most enduring post via Google Image search: When I mentioned the demise of The Weekly World News and included a photo of Bat Boy.
Number of semi-fictional characters mentioned as potentially great copy editors: 2 (Larry David and Charles Foster Kane).
Number of semi-anonymous detractors: 3.
Faraway visitors: South Africa, Germany, India.
Friend and foil: John Robinson, editor of the News & Record in Greensboro, N.C., who is willing to say some things just don't need editing.
Unfortunate prescriptivist moment: When I called out a member of Congress on "regimen" vs. "regime." I agree with the commenter who told me: You are right for what you do, and she is right for what she does.
Number of times linked from Romenesko: 2.
Number of times linked from Romenesko: 2.
Silly error: Spelling Romenesko as "Romanesko" in my blog roll.
Kind words: "His commentaries on what he reads in newspapers or online are refreshingly direct and free of academic jargon." (John McIntyre at You Don't Say)
Kind words: "His commentaries on what he reads in newspapers or online are refreshingly direct and free of academic jargon." (John McIntyre at You Don't Say)
Favorite headline with an R.E.M. reference: Chronic Town; for a post about Cary, N.C.
Favorite headline without an R.EM. reference: To be a blog and not to roll; for a post about blog rolls.
What's ahead: Another 500 posts, and (I hope) more visits. Thanks to all for reading.
What is the traditional present for reaching 25,000 readers? If it's something like cut crystal, you're out of luck, but if it's pixels then: congrats!