For the bible tells me so . . . .

"In writing about the time of day, the lowercase form, p.m. -- with periods -- now is preferred to the small-capitals form PM, without periods."

For anyone who makes a significant part of their living as an editor (like me), the news that a new edition of the Chicago Manual of Style--the "bible" of the publishing industry--is about to be released is exciting. (Just as exciting, in a way, as the release of a new Harry Potter is to the pre-teen set.) The quote above, from the 15th edition, scheduled to appear next month, may seem pedantic and trivial, but when you're wrestling with a manuscript on deadline, such advice can be, if not a lifesaver, then at least an angst-saver.

The new, 956-page edition will reportedly deal much more extensively with editing electronic documents, like web pages. Can't wait.