---
aliases: ["Update editorial guidelines for Sara"]
Is A: Task
Belongs to: "[[24q2]]"
Status: Done
Owner: "[[person-luca-rossi]]"
---
# Update editorial guidelines for Sara

With [[person-sara-ricci]] joining as editor through the [[24q2-hire-editor]] project, the existing informal editorial guidelines needed to be formalized into a comprehensive document. Sara needed clear guidance on tone, style, content structure, and the editorial review process so she could edit independently without constant back-and-forth with [[person-luca-rossi]].

The guidelines cover everything from headline formatting conventions and paragraph length preferences to the handling of code snippets, the voice for different content types (deep dives vs. opinion pieces vs. interviews), and the approval workflow. The document also includes a "red lines" section covering topics and framings to avoid.

## Acceptance criteria

- [x] Document the newsletter's voice and tone with concrete examples
- [x] Define the editorial workflow (draft -> edit -> review -> publish)
- [x] Create a style guide covering formatting, code blocks, image usage, and link conventions
- [x] Include a section on content types and their distinct editorial requirements
- [x] Review the guidelines with [[person-sara-ricci]] and incorporate her feedback

## Notes

- Sara's feedback significantly improved the guidelines. She flagged several areas where the implicit rules in Luca's head were inconsistent or contradictory, which helped clarify the actual editorial standards.
- The guidelines document is maintained in the vault as [[procedure-editorial-guidelines]] and is updated whenever a new editorial decision sets a precedent.
- This investment paid off immediately -- Sara's first independent edit required only minor revisions, compared to the extensive back-and-forth expected without guidelines.
