diff --git a/prisma/dev.db b/prisma/dev.db
index e870c4b..95ba251 100644
Binary files a/prisma/dev.db and b/prisma/dev.db differ
diff --git a/src/app/lib/update.ts b/src/app/lib/update.ts
index 1ec01b5..576e222 100644
--- a/src/app/lib/update.ts
+++ b/src/app/lib/update.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import { revalidatePath } from "next/cache"
 import { redirect } from "next/navigation"
 import { storySchema, subSchema } from "app/ui/forms/schemas"
 import { z } from "zod"
+import { StoryWithGenres } from "app/story/page"
+import { PubWithGenres } from "app/publication/page"
 
 
 export async function updateField({ datum, table, column, id, pathname }: { datum?: string | number | Genre[], table: string, column: string, id: number, pathname: string }) {
@@ -22,7 +24,7 @@ export async function updateField({ datum, table, column, id, pathname }: { datu
 		return res
 	} catch (error) {
 		console.error(error)
-		return false
+		return null
 	}
 }
 
@@ -40,11 +42,11 @@ export async function updateGenres({ genres, table, id, pathname }: { genres: {
 		return res
 	} catch (error) {
 		console.error(error)
-		return false
+		return null
 	}
 }
 
-export async function updateSub(data: Sub): Promise<Sub | boolean> {
+export async function updateSub(data: Sub): Promise<Sub> {
 	"use server"
 	try {
 		subSchema.parse(data)
@@ -53,12 +55,12 @@ export async function updateSub(data: Sub): Promise<Sub | boolean> {
 		return res
 	} catch (error) {
 		console.error(error)
-		return false
+		return null
 	}
 }
 
 
-export async function updateStory(data: Story & { genres: number[] }): Promise<Story | boolean> {
+export async function updateStory(data: StoryWithGenres): Promise<{ success: string }> {
 	"use server"
 
 	try {
@@ -66,25 +68,25 @@ export async function updateStory(data: Story & { genres: number[] }): Promise<S
 		const storyData = await prepStoryData(data)
 		const genresArray = await prepGenreData(data.genres)
 		//submit
-		const res = prisma.story.update({
+		const res = await prisma.story.update({
 			where: { id: data.id },
 			data: storyData
 		})
-		await prisma.story.update({
+		const genreRes = await prisma.story.update({
 			where: { id: data.id },
 			data: {
 				genres: { set: genresArray }
 			}
 		})
-		return res
+		return { success: "Updated the story '" + res.title + "'." }
 	} catch (error) {
 		console.error(error)
-		return false
+		return null
 	}
 }
 
 
-export async function updatePub(data: Pub & { genres: number[] }): Promise<Pub | boolean> {
+export async function updatePub(data: PubWithGenres): Promise<{ success: string }> {
 	"use server"
 
 	try {
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ export async function updatePub(data: Pub & { genres: number[] }): Promise<Pub |
 			(data)
 		const genresArray = await prepGenreData(data.genres)
 		//submit
-		const res = prisma.pub.update({
+		const res = await prisma.pub.update({
 			where: { id: data.id },
 			data: pubData
 		})
@@ -103,10 +105,10 @@ export async function updatePub(data: Pub & { genres: number[] }): Promise<Pub |
 				genres: { set: genresArray }
 			}
 		})
-		return res
+		return { success: "Updated the publication '" + res.title + "'" }
 	} catch (error) {
 		console.error(error)
-		return false
+		return null
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/app/lib/validate.ts b/src/app/lib/validate.ts
index 9aa04a7..6c30724 100644
--- a/src/app/lib/validate.ts
+++ b/src/app/lib/validate.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { z } from "zod";
 import { storySchema } from "app/ui/forms/schemas";
 import { Pub, Story } from "@prisma/client";
 import { pubSchema } from "app/ui/forms/schemas";
+import { StoryWithGenres } from "app/story/page";
 
 //schemas
 
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ const pubSchemaTrimmed = pubSchema.omit({ genres: true })
 const genreSchema = z.object({ id: z.number() })
 const genresSchema = z.array(genreSchema)
 
-export async function prepStoryData(data: Story & { genres: number[] }): Promise<{ title: string, word_count: number }> {
+export async function prepStoryData(data: StoryWithGenres): Promise<{ title: string, word_count: number }> {
 	const storyData = structuredClone(data)
 	delete storyData.genres
 	//throw an error if validation fails
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ export async function prepStoryData(data: Story & { genres: number[] }): Promise
 	return storyData
 }
 
-export async function prepPubData(data: Pub & { genres: number[] }): Promise<Pub | Boolean> {
+export async function prepPubData(data: Pub & { genres: number[] }): Promise<Pub> {
 	const pubData = structuredClone(data)
 	delete pubData.genres
 	pubSchemaTrimmed.safeParse(pubData)
diff --git a/src/app/publication/columns.tsx b/src/app/publication/columns.tsx
index 5c19fed..bac57ab 100644
--- a/src/app/publication/columns.tsx
+++ b/src/app/publication/columns.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import { ColumnDef, createColumnHelper } from "@tanstack/react-table"
 import { ArrowUpDown, BookType, Clock, Drama, SquareArrowOutUpRight } from "lucide-react"
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button"
-import { PubsWithGenres } from "./page"
+import { PubWithGenres } from "./page"
 import { TextInputCell } from "app/ui/tables/inputs/textInput"
 import { selectCol } from "app/ui/tables/selectColumn"
 import NumberInputCell from "app/ui/tables/inputs/numberInput"
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ import { pubSchema } from "app/ui/forms/schemas"
 import GenrePickerInputCell from "app/ui/tables/inputs/genrePickerInput"
 
 
-const columnHelper = createColumnHelper<PubsWithGenres>()
+const columnHelper = createColumnHelper<PubWithGenres>()
 
-export const columns: ColumnDef<PubsWithGenres>[] = [
+export const columns: ColumnDef<PubWithGenres>[] = [
   selectCol,
   {
     accessorKey: "title",
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ export const columns: ColumnDef<PubsWithGenres>[] = [
             Title
           </span>
           <span className="block sm:hidden"><BookType /></span>
-          <ArrowUpDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4" />
+          <ArrowUpDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4 hidden md:block" />
         </Button>
       )
     },
diff --git a/src/app/publication/edit.tsx b/src/app/publication/edit.tsx
index d25c862..e7162c8 100644
--- a/src/app/publication/edit.tsx
+++ b/src/app/publication/edit.tsx
@@ -7,34 +7,23 @@ import { createPub } from "app/lib/create";
 import PubForm from "app/ui/forms/pub";
 import { Plus } from "lucide-react";
 import { useState } from "react";
+import { PubWithGenres } from "./page";
 
-export default function CreatePubDialog({ genres }: ComponentProps<"div"> & { genres: Genre[] }) {
+export default function EditPubDialog({ genres, closeDialog, defaults, dbAction }: ComponentProps<"div"> & { genres: Genre[], closeDialog: () => void, defaults: PubWithGenres, dbAction: (data: PubWithGenres) => Promise<{ success: string }> }) {
 
-  const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false)
-  function closeDialog() {
-    setIsOpen(false)
-  }
 
   return (
 
-    <Dialog open={isOpen} onOpenChange={setIsOpen}>
-      <DialogTrigger asChild>
-        <Button>
-          <span className="hidden md:block">Create new publication</span>
-          <Plus className="block md:hidden" />
-        </Button>
-      </DialogTrigger>
-      <DialogContent>
-        <DialogHeader>
-          <DialogTitle>Edit publication</DialogTitle>
-          <DialogDescription>Modify an entry for an existing publication.</DialogDescription>
-        </DialogHeader>
-        <PubForm dbAction={createPub} genres={genres} closeDialog={closeDialog} />
-        <DialogFooter>
-          <Button form="pubform">Submit</Button>
-        </DialogFooter>
+    <>
+      <DialogHeader>
+        <DialogTitle>Edit publication</DialogTitle>
+        <DialogDescription>Modify an entry for an existing publication.</DialogDescription>
+      </DialogHeader>
+      <PubForm dbAction={dbAction} genres={genres} closeDialog={closeDialog} defaults={defaults} />
+      <DialogFooter>
+        <Button form="pubform">Submit</Button>
+      </DialogFooter>
+    </>
 
-      </DialogContent>
-    </Dialog>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/app/publication/page.tsx b/src/app/publication/page.tsx
index 2b6c301..c806182 100644
--- a/src/app/publication/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/publication/page.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { columns } from "./columns";
 import { DataTable } from "app/ui/tables/data-table";
 import CreatePubDialog from "./create";
 
-export type PubsWithGenres = Pub & { genres: Array<Genre> }
+export type PubWithGenres = Pub & { genres: Array<Genre> }
 
 
 
diff --git a/src/app/story/columns.tsx b/src/app/story/columns.tsx
index 3f92040..c075e44 100644
--- a/src/app/story/columns.tsx
+++ b/src/app/story/columns.tsx
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ export const columns: ColumnDef<StoryWithGenres>[] = [
             Title
           </span>
           <span className="block sm:hidden"><BookType /></span>
-          <ArrowUpDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4" />
+          <ArrowUpDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4 hidden md:block" />
         </Button>
       )
     },
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ export const columns: ColumnDef<StoryWithGenres>[] = [
           <span className="sm:hidden">
             <Tally5 />
           </span>
-          <ArrowUpDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4" />
+          <ArrowUpDown className="ml-2 h-4 w-4 hidden md:block" />
         </Button>
       )
     },
diff --git a/src/app/story/edit.tsx b/src/app/story/edit.tsx
index 423e6f3..b9b9e5a 100644
--- a/src/app/story/edit.tsx
+++ b/src/app/story/edit.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 "use client"
-import { createStory } from "app/lib/create"
 import { Dialog, DialogHeader, DialogTrigger, DialogContent, DialogClose, DialogTitle, DialogFooter, DialogDescription } from "@/components/ui/dialog";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { ComponentProps, useState } from "react";
 import { Genre, Story } from "@prisma/client";
 import StoryForm from "app/ui/forms/story";
+import { StoryWithGenres } from "./page";
 
 
-export default function EditStoryDialog({ genres, closeDialog, defaults }: ComponentProps<"div"> & { genres: Genre[], closeDialog: () => void, defaults: Story }) {
+export default function EditStoryDialog({ genres, closeDialog, defaults, dbAction }: ComponentProps<"div"> & { genres: Genre[], closeDialog: () => void, defaults: StoryWithGenres, dbAction: (data: StoryWithGenres) => Promise<{ success: string }> }) {
 
 
   return (
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ export default function EditStoryDialog({ genres, closeDialog, defaults }: Compo
         <DialogTitle>Edit story</DialogTitle>
         <DialogDescription>Create an entry for a new story i.e. a thing you intend to submit for publication.</DialogDescription>
       </DialogHeader>
-      <StoryForm dbAction={createStory} genres={genres} className="" closeDialog={closeDialog} defaults={defaults} />
+      <StoryForm dbAction={dbAction} genres={genres} className="" closeDialog={closeDialog} defaults={defaults} />
       <DialogFooter>
         <Button form="storyform">Submit</Button>
       </DialogFooter>
diff --git a/src/app/submission/columns.tsx b/src/app/submission/columns.tsx
index 8143d42..e088f20 100644
--- a/src/app/submission/columns.tsx
+++ b/src/app/submission/columns.tsx
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ export const columns: ColumnDef<SubComplete>[] = [
       return (
         <Button
           variant="ghost"
-          className="p-0"
+          className="p-0 flex justify-center w-full"
           onClick={() => column.toggleSorting(column.getIsSorted() === "asc")}
         >
           <span className="hidden md:block"> Date Submitted </span>
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ export const columns: ColumnDef<SubComplete>[] = [
       return (
         <Button
           variant="ghost"
-          className="p-0"
+          className="p-0 flex justify-center w-full"
           onClick={() => column.toggleSorting(column.getIsSorted() === "asc")}
         >
           <span className="hidden md:block"> Date Responded </span>
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ export const columns: ColumnDef<SubComplete>[] = [
       return (
         <Button
           variant="ghost"
-          className="p-0"
+          className="p-0 flex justify-center w-full"
           onClick={() => column.toggleSorting(column.getIsSorted() === "asc")}
         >
           <span className="hidden md:block"> Response </span>
diff --git a/src/app/tailwind.css b/src/app/tailwind.css
index 70a70ce..b81fbfb 100644
--- a/src/app/tailwind.css
+++ b/src/app/tailwind.css
@@ -706,6 +706,10 @@ body {
   z-index: 100;
 }
 
+.float-right {
+  float: right;
+}
+
 .m-auto {
   margin: auto;
 }
@@ -777,14 +781,6 @@ body {
   margin-top: 1.5rem;
 }
 
-.mt-auto {
-  margin-top: auto;
-}
-
-.mb-4 {
-  margin-bottom: 1rem;
-}
-
 .block {
   display: block;
 }
@@ -887,10 +883,6 @@ body {
   height: 100vh;
 }
 
-.h-5\/6 {
-  height: 83.333333%;
-}
-
 .max-h-96 {
   max-height: 24rem;
 }
@@ -976,8 +968,8 @@ body {
   width: 100vw;
 }
 
-.w-5\/6 {
-  width: 83.333333%;
+.w-1\/2 {
+  width: 50%;
 }
 
 .min-w-\[8rem\] {
@@ -1021,6 +1013,18 @@ body {
   max-width: 20rem;
 }
 
+.max-w-40 {
+  max-width: 10rem;
+}
+
+.max-w-\[50\%\] {
+  max-width: 50%;
+}
+
+.max-w-60 {
+  max-width: 15rem;
+}
+
 .shrink-0 {
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
@@ -1105,6 +1109,14 @@ body {
   flex-wrap: wrap;
 }
 
+.content-start {
+  align-content: flex-start;
+}
+
+.content-between {
+  align-content: space-between;
+}
+
 .items-start {
   align-items: flex-start;
 }
@@ -1129,6 +1141,10 @@ body {
   justify-content: space-between;
 }
 
+.justify-around {
+  justify-content: space-around;
+}
+
 .gap-1 {
   gap: 0.25rem;
 }
@@ -1220,6 +1236,10 @@ body {
   margin-bottom: calc(2rem * var(--tw-space-y-reverse));
 }
 
+.self-end {
+  align-self: flex-end;
+}
+
 .justify-self-end {
   justify-self: end;
 }
@@ -1267,11 +1287,6 @@ body {
   border-top-right-radius: 1.5rem;
 }
 
-.rounded-l-3xl {
-  border-top-left-radius: 1.5rem;
-  border-bottom-left-radius: 1.5rem;
-}
-
 .rounded-tl-3xl {
   border-top-left-radius: 1.5rem;
 }
@@ -1493,6 +1508,10 @@ body {
   text-align: center;
 }
 
+.align-top {
+  vertical-align: top;
+}
+
 .align-middle {
   vertical-align: middle;
 }
@@ -1536,6 +1555,11 @@ body {
   line-height: 1rem;
 }
 
+.text-6xl {
+  font-size: 3.75rem;
+  line-height: 1;
+}
+
 .font-black {
   font-weight: 900;
 }
diff --git a/src/app/ui/forms/pub.tsx b/src/app/ui/forms/pub.tsx
index c0e1c7f..3580880 100644
--- a/src/app/ui/forms/pub.tsx
+++ b/src/app/ui/forms/pub.tsx
@@ -22,15 +22,17 @@ import GenrePicker from "./genrePicker"
 import { pubSchema } from "./schemas"
 import { useRouter } from "next/navigation"
 import { Ban } from "lucide-react"
+import { PubWithGenres } from "app/publication/page"
 
-export default function PubForm({ genres, dbAction, className, closeDialog, defaults }: ComponentProps<"div"> & { genres: Array<Genre>, dbAction: (data: any) => Promise<{ success: string }>, closeDialog: () => void, defaults?: Pub }) {
+export default function PubForm({ genres, dbAction, className, closeDialog, defaults }: ComponentProps<"div"> & { genres: Array<Genre>, dbAction: (data: any) => Promise<{ success: string }>, closeDialog: () => void, defaults?: PubWithGenres }) {
 	const form = useForm<z.infer<typeof pubSchema>>({
 		resolver: zodResolver(pubSchema),
 		defaultValues: {
-			title: "",
-			link: "",
-			query_after_days: 30,
-			genres: []
+			id: defaults?.id,
+			title: defaults?.title ?? "",
+			link: defaults?.link ?? "",
+			query_after_days: defaults?.query_after_days ?? 30,
+			genres: defaults?.genres.map(e => e.id) ?? []
 		},
 	})
 
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ export default function PubForm({ genres, dbAction, className, closeDialog, defa
 	async function onSubmit(values: z.infer<typeof pubSchema>) {
 		try {
 			const res = await dbAction(values)
-			if (!res) throw new Error("something went wrong")
+			if (!res?.success) throw new Error("something went wrong")
 			toast({ title: "Success!", description: res.success })
 			router.refresh()
 			closeDialog()
diff --git a/src/app/ui/forms/schemas.ts b/src/app/ui/forms/schemas.ts
index 8867706..cfc2f2f 100644
--- a/src/app/ui/forms/schemas.ts
+++ b/src/app/ui/forms/schemas.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ export const storySchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const pubSchema = z.object({
+	id: z.coerce.number().optional(),
 	title: z.string().min(2).max(50),
 	link: z.string(),
 	query_after_days: z.coerce.number().min(30),
diff --git a/src/app/ui/forms/story.tsx b/src/app/ui/forms/story.tsx
index fe553b3..1945104 100644
--- a/src/app/ui/forms/story.tsx
+++ b/src/app/ui/forms/story.tsx
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ export default function StoryForm({ genres, dbAction, className, closeDialog, de
 	const form = useForm<z.infer<typeof formSchema>>({
 		resolver: zodResolver(formSchema),
 		defaultValues: {
+			id: defaults?.id,
 			title: defaults?.title ?? "",
 			word_count: defaults?.word_count ?? 500,
 			genres: defaults?.genres.map(e => e.id) ?? []
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ export default function StoryForm({ genres, dbAction, className, closeDialog, de
 		try {
 			const res = await dbAction(values)
 			//server actions return undefined if middleware authentication fails
-			if (!res.success) throw new Error("something went wrong")
+			if (!res?.success) throw new Error("something went wrong")
 			toast({ title: "Success!", description: res.success })
 			router.refresh()
 			closeDialog()
@@ -86,7 +87,7 @@ export default function StoryForm({ genres, dbAction, className, closeDialog, de
 						)}
 					/>
 
-					<div className="inline-flex flex-wrap w-full gap-x-16 gap-y-8 items-baseline max-w-full">
+					<div className="inline-flex flex-wrap justify-around items-start w-full gap-x-16 gap-y-8 items-baseline max-w-full">
 
 						<GenrePicker
 							genres={genres}
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ export default function StoryForm({ genres, dbAction, className, closeDialog, de
 							control={form.control}
 							name="word_count"
 							render={({ field }) => (
-								<FormItem className="flex flex-col">
+								<FormItem className="flex flex-col ">
 									<FormLabel className="h-5">Word count</FormLabel>
 									<FormControl>
 										<Input className=" w-24" type="number" step={500} {...field}></Input>
diff --git a/src/app/ui/genreBadges.tsx b/src/app/ui/genreBadges.tsx
index c2122e7..9b37ea6 100644
--- a/src/app/ui/genreBadges.tsx
+++ b/src/app/ui/genreBadges.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
 export default function GenreBadges(props: ComponentProps<"div"> & { genres: Array<Genre> }) {
   return (
     <div className={"flex flex-wrap gap-1 justify-center " + props.className}>
-      {props.genres.map((e: Genre) => (<Badge className="" key={e.name}>{e.name}</Badge>))}
+      {props.genres.map((e: Genre) => (<Badge className="text-xs md:text-base" key={e.name}>{e.name}</Badge>))}
     </div>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/app/ui/tables/data-table.tsx b/src/app/ui/tables/data-table.tsx
index 5a9ed5b..3c27a63 100644
--- a/src/app/ui/tables/data-table.tsx
+++ b/src/app/ui/tables/data-table.tsx
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ import { deleteRecord, deleteRecords } from "app/lib/del"
 import { Pathname } from "app/types"
 import { Dialog, DialogClose, DialogContent, DialogDescription, DialogFooter, DialogHeader, DialogTrigger } from "@/components/ui/dialog"
 import pluralize from "app/lib/pluralize"
-import { updateField } from "app/lib/update"
+import { updateField, updatePub, updateStory } from "app/lib/update"
 import { tableNameToItemName } from "app/lib/nameMaps"
 import { Genre, Pub, Response, Story } from "@prisma/client"
 import EditSubmissionDialog from "app/submission/edit"
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ import { DialogTitle } from "@radix-ui/react-dialog"
 import { toast } from "@/components/ui/use-toast"
 import { useRouter } from "next/navigation"
 import EditStoryDialog from "app/story/edit"
+import EditPubDialog from "app/publication/edit"
 
 export interface DataTableProps<TData, TValue> {
   columns: ColumnDef<TData, TValue>[]
@@ -178,12 +179,19 @@ export function DataTable<TData, TValue>({
             />
             : tableName === "story" ?
               < EditStoryDialog
+                dbAction={updateStory}
                 genres={genres}
-                // TODO: prepare genre data so that it can be read by StoryForm 
                 defaults={dialogRow?.original}
                 closeDialog={closeEditDialog}
               />
-              : ""
+              : tableName === "pub" ?
+                <EditPubDialog
+                  dbAction={updatePub}
+                  genres={genres}
+                  defaults={dialogRow?.original}
+                  closeDialog={closeEditDialog}
+                />
+                : ""
           }
         </DialogContent>
       </Dialog>
@@ -205,6 +213,7 @@ export function DataTable<TData, TValue>({
                   const res = await deleteRecord(dialogRow.original.id, pathname)
                   if (!res) toast({ title: "Oh dear...", description: "Failed to delete." })
                   if (res) toast({ title: "Successfully deleted record of id:", description: dialogRow.original.id })
+                  table.resetRowSelection()
                   router.refresh()
                 }}>Yes, delete it!
               </Button>
@@ -235,6 +244,7 @@ export function DataTable<TData, TValue>({
                 const res = await deleteRecords(recordIds, pathname)
                 if (!res) toast({ title: "Oh dear...", description: "Failed to delete." })
                 if (res) toast({ title: "Successfully deleted records of id:", description: JSON.stringify(recordIds) })
+                table.resetRowSelection()
                 router.refresh()
                 setIsDeleteDialogVisible(false)
               }}>