About Merrill Perlman
A distinguished career in journalism, higher education, and executive editing at the highest levels.
Four Decades of Expert, Effective Communication
Merrill Perlman has earned a commanding national reputation as an insightful and entertaining editor, collaborator, and educator.
She spent 25 years at The New York Times in essential leadership roles, serving as business copy editor, manager of staff editor recruiting, managing editor of The New York Times News Service, and director of copy desks. During her tenure, she helped steer the standards of one of the world’s most exacting newsrooms.
Merrill was an adjunct assistant professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism for more than 20 years. For 13 years, she wrote the celebrated “Language Corner” column for the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR), dissecting grammar debates, style developments, cultural semantics, and trending usage with wit and erudition.
Seasonally for over 18 years, Merrill has worked with The New York Times, copy editing their Pulitzer Prize contest entry letters — detailed narrative essays synthesizing complex investigations, datasets, and investigative breakthroughs. She also serves as the copy editor for the biweekly newsletter of NPR’s Public Editor (ombudsman), examining ethics and editorial integrity.
For Distinguished Service in Journalism
Industry Honors & Leadership
Missouri Honor Medal
Recipient of the 2015 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism — one of the highest honors in journalism, awarded to rare master practitioners.
The Glamann Award
Awarded the prestigious Glamann Award from ACES: The Society for Editing in recognition of significant lifetime contributions to the editing profession and community.
Charles R. O’Malley Award
Honored with the Charles R. O’Malley Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University.
Professional Leadership
Longtime executive committee member and Education Fund board member for ACES: The Society for Editing, former president of the ACES Education Fund, and panelist on the (now-defunct) American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel.
Editing for Renowned Authors & Thinkers
Outside of major newsrooms, Merrill collaborates closely with prominent nonfiction writers, journalists, business leaders, and cultural figures.
From Bestsellers to Kindle Singles
When Amazon launched Kindle Singles — dedicated longform essays by notable writers — Merrill served as a core copy editor, working on pieces by Stephen King (Guns), Erica Jong (A Letter to the President), Armistead Maupin (Jackie Old), Joe Eszterhas (Heaven and Mel), Paul Alexander (Murdered), Mara Altman (Bearded Lady), Jonathan Biss (Beethoven’s Shadow), Sloane Crosley (Up the Down Volcano), Frank Gilroy, Jeremiah Tower, Rick Marin, and Jeff Jarvis.
She edited Moonshot! by former Apple CEO John Sculley, the posthumous speech collection If This Isn’t Nice, What Is? by Kurt Vonnegut, Getting More by Pulitzer Prize-winner Stuart Diamond, and Protecting Capitalism: Case by Case by Eliot Spitzer.
She also co-edited major historical volumes for The New York Times, including The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage, The Century in Times Square, Obama: The Historic Journey, A Nation Challenged, and The Obits: The New York Times Annual.
Explore the Complete Works →Press Appearances & Commentary
A sought-after expert on linguistics, newsroom ethics, and the evolving uses of English.
Language Corner
Merrill’s long-running column dissecting grammar nuances, AP Stylebook developments, and the mechanics of clear reporting.
Why Amercia Needs Copy Editors
An opinion piece dissecting candidate typos and the irreplaceable value of rigorous human backstopping (surpassed 300,000 views).
Punctuation Infatuation
Broadcast conversation on radio exploring the passion, arguments, and controversies behind everyday punctuation.
Talk to the Newsroom
Direct Q&A sessions answering reader and audience questions about journalistic standards, style, and copy desk operations.
Will Automated Editors Replace Humans?
Deep dive into algorithmic tools versus human judgment, empathy, context, and nuance in editorial decision-making.
Midmorning: Grammar Geeks
Radio panel discussion exploring linguistic trends, grammar folklore, and practical communication tips.
Belt-Tightening with Actual Belts
Expert commentary exploring the origin and cultural metaphors of economic idioms during financial shifts.
Merrill Perlman Spots Story Problems
Industry profile highlighting Merrill’s diagnostic techniques for spotting hidden narrative flaws and structural roadblocks.