Editing made easier: One search, two resources for AP Stylebook users
By Mark Allen
The Associated Press announced the addition of Webster’s New World College Dictionary and a Web-based style checker to its growing list of online products this week. This means AP’s official dictionary is now available with the stylebook from a single search box for subscribers to apstylebook.com.
AP Stylebook’s editors have picked up the pace of updating the book’s entries in recent years, but the last Webster’s New World update to its fourth college edition was in 2004. The best options outside an old print edition have been the WNW smartphone app and online at yourdictionary.com.
The integrated dictionary is in beta testing, and Colleen Newvine, AP Stylebook product manager, said she expects the product to fully launch at the end of November.
“It’s built on the infrastructure of Stylebook online, so it shouldn’t be that complicated,” she said.
It’s now available to anyone with more than six months on their online Stylebook contract. The regular price will be $35 for AP Stylebook and Webster’s New World, with the Stylebook alone going for $26. Discounts are available for AP members.
ACES members receive a discount on AP Stylebook individual online memberships.
AP Lingofy, also in beta testing, will scan browser-based editable text, checking against the AP Stylebook, Webster’s New World, and custom dictionary options. It can be used to check blog pages, but also Facebook entries and tweets.
Lingofy is a product of Tansa, which Newvine said already had a relationship with Webster’s New World.
“It’s cool that we launched these two new products together because the three companies all collaborate,” she said.
