Editing and Writing Alert: Humanizing the Word “Mummy”

As someone once said in a sci-fi move, "I'm ba-a-a-ck!"  The third edition of my The Frugal Book Promoter was just released and I found a new tip for the "politically correct" section of the book, but it's too late!  It occurs to me that this is the place I should share new editing ideas and additions to the world of editing (which these days come faster than they ever have before!) with my subscribers and visitors to this blog and, of course, those who read my book in any one of its editions.  Mind you, they are all award-winners, but my publisher (Modern History Press) tells me this one has 50% new information in it, so you might want to jump on Amazon and get the new edition for yourself.  Those of you who have copies remember I always give my readers detailed indexes in my how-to books so that readers can find what they need immediately.

So, what is this new news?  You'll love it!  

NBC Reported the new research on Egypt’s  golden boy mummy and the reporting included new suggestions the writers (and many others)  interested in politically correct (more humanizing language) are have now decided to refer to mummies...yes, mummies!...should be referenced to. 

They say: 

“The new study comes as museums in the U.K. reckon with whether the term "mummy"... is appropriate to describe mummified remains because “dehumanizing” connotation  [of the word standing on its own]. 

“Where we know the name of an individual we use that, otherwise we use the term ‘mummified man, woman, boy, girl or person’ on our labels, because we are referring to people, not objects,” a spokesperson for National Museums Scotland said in an email.

“The word ‘mummy’ is not incorrect, but it is dehumanizing, whereas using the term ‘mummified person’ encourages the visitors [to our museums]  to think of the individual.” 

This report comes from Charlene Gubash reporting from Cairo and Aina J. Khan from London.

As an amateur (very amateur !) archeologist/anthropologist, I believe this is a pretty good approach to showing respect to mummified remains not withstanding what a writer's personal attitude about being politically correct is. In either case, I find this a fascinating addition to my chapter on the subject and hope that many of you check it out in The Frugal Editor, 3rd Edition, along with my brand new chapter on using back matter to better served your readers and nudge your own book sales. 

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the award-winning third  editions of The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor published by Modern History Press. Her How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically is also part of the series. Learn more on her Amazon Author Page,  http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile  and, if you follow her there, Amazon will notify you of new releases in the series.

 Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers is one of her booklets--perfect for inexpensive gift giving--and her The Great First Impression Book Proposal, another booklet also available in Audio, helps writers who want to be traditionally published. 

Carolyn has three FRUGAL books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it will help them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews free at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing--grammar, formatting and more-- right here and promises to do more of that in the future. ( Her SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com blog focuses on the writing life and book marketing and promotion. It is a Writers' Digest 101 Best blogs pick.