News, events, tips and updates for members of the Editors’ Association of Canada
Happy New Year from the Editors’ Association of Canada!
The beginning of a new year serves as a great reminder to examine your goals and plan for the future. Did your resolutions include achieving career success? In this edition of the e-news update, we’ll look at some realistic goals you can set for yourself, and how your EAC membership can help you achieve them.
In this issue:
1. DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS: Workshops, books and more
2. GET NOTICED: Stand out from the crowd
3. BUILD YOUR NETWORK: Connect with your fellow editors
4. GET HIRED: Find work in 2014
5. BOOST YOUR RESUMÉ: Get involved
6. PROTECT YOURSELF: Affordable insurance options
7. SAVE MONEY: Take advantage of EAC member discounts
1. DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS: Workshops, books and more
Goal: Attend branch and twig workshops
Give your skills a boost by taking part in branch and twig seminars and workshops. Expert instructors help beginning editors build strong foundations, and they help more experienced ones develop their expertise. Looking for basic skills in proofreading, copy editing and substantive editing? Perhaps you’re after special-interest and advanced topics such as corporate markets, graphic design and launching your own business. With EAC seminars, there’s something for everyone.
For more information about workshops in your area, visit EAC’s seminars page.
Goal: Hit the books
Whether you’re en route to becoming a certified editor or brushing up on your skills, studying early and often is the key. EAC’s respected publications will help you on the path to excellence.
Professional Editorial Standards
What do editors do? That’s a question most of us have been asked at one time or another, and it’s the question addressed by the 2009 edition of our cornerstone publication, Professional Editorial Standards, revised and updated to reflect the skills and knowledge required by editors today. Available as a free download.
Meeting Professional Editorial Standards
Whether you’re learning the craft of editing or you’re an established professional looking to broaden your knowledge, this second edition, four-volume self-teaching and self-testing package is a must-have for any editor’s bookshelf. Volumes of Meeting Professional Editorial Standards have been adopted as course texts by post-secondary institutions like Ryerson University (Toronto) and Mount Royal University (Calgary). Available for purchase now
Certification Study Guides
EAC’s study guides are the primary resources for anyone who wants to become a certified editor. Whether you use the guides for independent study or in a workshop setting, you will learn more about the knowledge, skills and judgment required to earn your EAC Certification credentials. Available for purchase now
Principes directeurs en révision professionnelle
EAC also offers the first edition of Principes directeurs en révision professionnelle. These editorial standards are designed to address the needs of those who provide professional editing services in French, as well as those who use their services. Available as a free download.
Editing Canadian English, second edition
For years, this indispensable tool has been a staple in classrooms and for anyone who edits Canadian English. With its distinctive red cover, Editing Canadian English, second edition may be the first reference book you pull off the bookshelf when considering how to handle a prickly editing problem. Available for purchase directly from EAC.
2. GET NOTICED: Stand out from the crowd
Goal: Get Certified
Make 2014 the year you join the ranks of editors certified by EAC’s landmark certification program. EAC’s certified editors benefit from official recognition of their high level of knowledge and skill—and a marketing advantage.
Registration for the 2014 tests in Proofreading and Structural Editing will open this summer. For more information visit EAC Certification online.
Goal: Tell the world about your achievements
EAC Member News is where we share information about EACers who win awards, publish books and make their mark on the communications world in other important ways. Here are some of the things our members have been up to lately.
Congratulations to Toronto branch member Tilman Lewis, who worked on Unlikely Radicals: The Story of the Adams Mine Dump War by Charlie Angus, published by Between the Lines. Unlikely Radicals has been short-listed for the 2013 Legislative Assembly of Ontario Speakers Book Award and is a runner-up for the Independent Publisher Book Awards for Best Regional Non-Fiction (Canada-East).
Toronto branch member John Millyard discovered in the drawer of an old desk the hand-written memoirs of James Lowry, a young surgeon in Nelson’s Mediterranean fleet 1797 to 1804. John has recently published Lowry’s memoirs as an eBook in both Kindle and Kobo format. The memoirs were never intended for publication, and describe Lowry’s rugged life afloat and fascinating (often erotic) adventures ashore. As one reviewer wrote, it is a “fantastic primary [historical] source and is full of firsthand accounts of several conflicts in His Majesty’s Navy. While he describes details of battles hitherto unknown or lost to legend, personal details give a fuller understanding of the period’s culture and daily life. These things are priceless and most often lost [when] over edited or in fictional accounts of history.”
Do you have a recent achievement? Let EAC help tell the world about it on EAC’s Member News page. If you have member news to share, drop our member news coordinator a line.
Goal: Receive an EAC award
Each year EAC presents several awards recognizing excellence in editing and service to the organization. While nominations for the Tom Fairley Award are now closed, the season for EAC’s other respected awards is still open.
Claudette Upton Scholarship
This annual, national award of $1,000 recognizes a promising student editor from among our membership. If you’re a student member, or if you know someone who should be a student member, visit the Claudette Upton Scholarship page for more information. The deadline for submissions is January 31.
President’s Award for Volunteer Service
The President’s Award recognizes outstanding service to the organization, at the branch, twig or national level, by member volunteers. From among the nominations received for the President’s Award, one volunteer is selected to receive the Lee d’Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award. Visit the President’s Award page for more information.
Goal: Pick up some EAC merchandise
Looking for some vibrant, useful and fun editing merchandise to spruce up your work space?
Eight-Step Editing/EAC Grammar Tips Poster
EAC and Jim Taylor have teamed up to produce a vibrant poster that features practical highlights and tips from Jim’s popular Eight-Step Editing seminar, as well as helpful grammar tips from EAC members.
If you’re an editor or a writer, this colourful quick-reference guide is essential to have on hand to help you find and fix common readability problems in your documents.
Purchase your Eight-Step Editing/EAC Grammar Tips poster now.
EAC magnets
Stick ’em up! EAC’s popular “I’m not obsessed. I’m an editor!” and “Je ne suis pas obsédé. Je suis réviseur.” graphics are now available as magnets. Boast proudly to the world what you do by sticking this tongue-in-cheek magnet on your fridge, filing cabinet, car and the robot you’re building in your garage.
Purchase your magnets now.
Goal: Get a branded email address
Show people what you do with an @editors.ca email address, available exclusively to EAC members. Your @editors.ca address tells people what you do and identifies you as a member of EAC.
3. BUILD YOUR NETWORK: Connect with your fellow editors
Making connections is essential for building and maintaining a successful career and for keeping up on industry news. Do you work in-house or as a business owner? Are you a student or a veteran editor with years of wisdom to impart? Networking is one of the primary benefits of belonging to EAC. As a member of the association, you’re connected with 1,500 editors and communications professionals across the country and abroad.
Goal: Connect with other EACers online
Blog
Check out EAC’s official blog, The Editors’ Weekly, and take part in the conversations that crop up when readers leave comments about each blog post.
New content is posted every week. If you want to try your hand at writing a blog post, contact the blog’s new managing editor, Anna Williams. Anna replaces the blog’s founding managing editor, Susan Bond. Susan led the blog team for more than a year before stepping down to focus on other endeavours. Thank you, Susan, and welcome aboard, Anna!
These are just some of the recent topics of discussion in EAC’s LinkedIn group.
- “Corporate speak”
- How to write effective Tweets
- Editing infographics
- E-book formats
If you’re already on the world’s largest social networking site, “like” the Editors’ Association of Canada on Facebook.
Get the latest EAC and industry news by following us on Twitter. Find EAC @eac_acr.
Google+
Are you a G+ user? You rare soul, you! Find the Editors’ Association of Canada on Google+.
Flickr
Who says editors are all about words? EAC photos can now be found in one place on EAC’s Flickr page. Check out national executive council meeting photos and pics from recent conferences.
EAC Email List
Here’s a sample of discussions that took place on EAC’s popular email list in the last few months.
- Diplomacy and conflict resolution
- International clients
- Questions about copyright
- Software recommendations
Whether you’re looking for editing tips, want to share an employment opportunity or just feel like chatting with your colleagues over a virtual water cooler, the email list has something for you. Join the discussion today!
EAC Membership List
Trying to get in touch with a fellow member? Stay connected with EAC’s online Membership List. Not listed in this opt-in free service yet? Why wait? Visit your Online Profile to list yourself in the Membership List today.
Goal: Attend more branch and twig meetings and social events
If you resolved to get out and do more face-to-face networking, commit to attending more of the regular meetings and socials hosted by your branch or twig. Each branch and twig offers a variety of local programs for members and non-members alike.
Recent events
British Columbia: Promoting the importance of editing to independent publishers
Changes in the publishing industry have resulted in authors taking on many of the editorial responsibilities traditionally assumed by publishers. Because authors may not realize the importance of hiring a professional editor, editors must find new ways to educate and engage with this market. In November 2013, BC branch members participated in two events focused on self-publishing, to share their knowledge and to promote the role of editors in the publishing process.
On Saturday, November 9, Vivalogue Publishing and Black Bond Books kicked off Raindance, a new book festival celebrating and supporting local independent authors. The event featured a book fair, a book drive and a number of workshops, including blue pencil sessions held throughout the day. BC branch members Janet Love Morrison, Shelley Kozlowski and Anne Brennan participated in the blue pencil sessions. There was also a selection of EAC material available at the resource table. The organizers were pleased with the success of the event, and the authors felt they received tremendous value from their editorial consultations.
The following Saturday, November 16, the Vancouver Public Library hosted Introduction to Self-Publishing, a panel presentation and roundtable event. Several self-publishing professionals shared their expertise, including BC branch member Naomi Pauls, a writer, editor and independent publishing consultant. Among other topics, Naomi spoke about the value that an editorial team can add to a finished book. Attendees also stopped by Naomi’s table to discuss their self-publishing projects, sign up to receive her self-publishing checklist, and collect EAC material.
Many of EAC’s branches and twigs are now firing up their professional development and networking seasons. What’s happening in your neck of the woods? Visit EAC’s branches and twigs page to find out.
Goal: Attend EAC’s 2014 conference in Toronto (June 6–8)
Want to connect with hundreds of editors, writers and communication professionals? Plan to attend EAC’s 2014 conference, Tracking Change: e-Merging Methods and Markets. This year we’re converging on Toronto, a city that traditionally has the largest turnouts for EAC conferences.
Conferences set the stage for conversation, inspiration and innovation. The Toronto conference is sure to see many new faces, as well as the return of familiar faces that attend each year to tap into the collective wisdom of a group of their peers. This is your opportunity to spend a weekend sharing valuable insights between sessions, at meals and beyond. Make 2014 the year you join us!
Registration for the 2014 conference, Tracking Change: e-Merging Methods and Markets, opens on February 21.
Goal: Attend more events in related industries
On February 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) is hosting Future by Design: Creative Collaboration, a discussion with panellists from Pentagram, Design Army and more on the tools and best practices for effectively collaborating and achieving success in an age when collaboration is key.
The event will take place at Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel. EAC members receive the discounted $10 RGD rate. There will be FREE screening venues in Hamilton, Sault Ste. Marie, London, Barrie, Kingston and North Bay. Visit the RGD website for full details.
4. GET HIRED: Find work in 2014
Goal: Give your career a boost
Online Directory of Editors
The Online Directory of Editors (ODE) is a searchable online resource that helps employers find the right editor fast. A well-written ODE listing can pay for itself many times over.
Learn more about your ODE listing.
Try before buying
There is an annual fee of $80 to be included in the ODE, but any member can create a profile—even before paying for it. It won’t be published until you pay for it, but you can still create and preview your profile to see how your entry would look in the ODE. To get started, visit the Members’ Area.
Creating a great ODE profile
Your personal statement and the keywords you use in it are critical. In particular, the first 20 words of your personal statement are key. These 20 words show up in the results when employers and clients are searching for an editor who meets their needs. What makes you the best candidate for the job? Spell it out in these first 20 words.
Need more tips? Check out this helpful EAC LinkedIn group discussion for more information. (Please note that you need to join the EAC LinkedIn group to access the discussion.)
National Job Board
The National Job Board is where you’ll find notices of full-time, part-time, contract and freelance opportunities.
Hotlines
Many branches offer free job announcement services through their hotlines. For more information visit your branch page.
5. BOOST YOUR RESUMÉ: Get involved
Goal: Make your resumé more impressive
Want to stand out from the crowd? Consider volunteering for EAC. Volunteering has many benefits for the association, but it can be beneficial to you and your career as well. EAC member volunteers work with influential members of the publishing and communications industries, learn new skills, expand their portfolios and boost their career options.
Featured volunteer opportunities
Certification marketing copywriters and social media volunteers
The certification marketing team is looking for writers. By volunteering with us, you’ll build your copywriting and social media portfolios and get excellent feedback on your writing. We’re also looking for design input on the certification e-blast format this year, so if you like conceptualizing e-marketing campaigns, you’ll definitely enjoy being part of this team.
We’ve planned several e-blasts along with an accompanying social media campaign that promotes the benefits of becoming a certified editor. Work will take place in March and April on your own schedule. We do have conference calls on occasion, but we try to schedule those at a convenient time for everyone.
We’re happy to work with experienced copywriters and social media enthusiasts, but we also welcome help from volunteers who are looking to develop skills in these areas. Interested? Have questions? Contact EAC’s certification communications manager, Lori Straus.
Francophone affairs committee chair
Do you want to make valuable contacts and connections in the francophone community? Want to develop leadership skills for your CV? We’re looking for a chair for the francophone affairs committee. The chair will lead a committee of volunteers to develop relationships and work on projects that raise the profile of the editing profession and EAC in the francophone community. Interested? Contact EAC’s director of francophone affairs, Marie-Christine Payette, to make a difference!
Marketing copywriters and project managers
Do you love playing with words? Love crafting copy? If you’re creative, enjoy writing and are marketing savvy, the marketing and public relations committee wants you! We’re looking for volunteer copywriters and project managers to help with a variety of campaigns. Here’s an excellent opportunity to build your copywriting portfolio, gain project management experience and make your resumé shine—all while having fun at the same time! If you’re interested in joining the marketing and PR committee, contact the chair, Tina Dealwis.
Social media volunteers
Do you have good online communication skills? Want to take on an exciting challenge and expand your network? We’re looking for volunteers to increase our overall reach and build brand awareness by implementing and supporting social media strategies for EAC’s projects and campaigns.
Interest in social media is a must. Personal experience using various social media vehicles is an asset.
This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in developing their communication and marketing skills, and those looking for experience using social media. Interested? Contact EAC’s social media manager, Emily Chau.
Conference 2014—Tracking Change: e-Merging Methods and Markets
Now that we are in a new year, many of us may be making resolutions for 2014. For those who resolved to meet new people, get more involved or develop their networking skills, volunteering for EAC’s national conference is a great way to achieve those resolutions!
The conference committee is actively searching for enthusiastic volunteers to fill the following positions.
Conference vendor fair coordinator
The vendor fair coordinator will be responsible for sourcing and approaching local merchants and artisans to sell their wares at the vendor fair.
Conference billeting coordinator
The billeting coordinator will be in charge of organizing the Beds for Eds program and facilitating communication between EAC members with available rooms and conference-goers looking for accommodation alternatives to hotels.
Conference tech programming coordinator
We’re also looking for someone with an interest in technology to arrange for software and hardware demos from vendors to be presented during the conference.
If you’re interested in any of these roles, or if you’d like more information about volunteer opportunities at the 2014 conference, contact the conference volunteer coordinator, Breanne MacDonald.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Toronto!
NEW! Meet EAC’s Volunteer of the Month: Suzanne Purkis
Suzanne Purkis has been a member of EAC and the National Capital Region branch for three years. Her first volunteer role with EAC was as program coordinator for the 2013 national conference in Halifax.
When asked if she wanted to be involved in the member services committee, Suzanne jumped in with both feet, taking over as chair. Believing that member services should be a priority for a member-driven organization such as EAC, Suzanne has brought ideas about improving the quality and diversity of services EAC offers its members. Suzanne strives to make all members feel that their needs are being heard and addressed.
A self-reported “big believer in the value of volunteering,” Suzanne feels it is an “excellent way to learn new skills, challenge yourself and get to know people you wouldn’t otherwise meet.” Volunteering provides opportunities to build one’s professional network and, Suzanne believes, “it’s a rewarding way to give back to your community.”
Before she joined EAC, Suzanne volunteered at the Ottawa Humane Society and at the Royal Ottawa Hospital. She is also currently the volunteer organizer of a local networking group called Ottawa Freelancers.
The Volunteer of the Month is a new feature designed to highlight the dedicated people who keep EAC going. Volunteers are the backbone of EAC, a member-run organization. We are grateful for the many volunteers who answer the call when help is needed. Visit the Members’ Area for more information about volunteering for EAC.
6. PROTECT YOURSELF: Affordable insurance options
Goal: Protect yourself, your family and your ability to earn an income
EAC is pleased to offer affordable insurance options for EAC members.
Errors and omissions insurance
Professional risks go hand-in-hand with the editing industry. E&O insurance protects you against lawsuits arising from allegations of negligence or wrongdoing, thereby protecting your assets. For a client who has suffered damages, E&O insurance helps to ensure there are adequate funds for compensation.
Health and dental insurance
These enhanced health-care plans can supplement your provincial government’s coverage and help protect you against unexpected health and dental expenses.
With a complete product package that spans term life insurance, permanent participating life, universal life, disability, critical illness and long-term care, these plans can offer you personal peace of mind, regardless of what the future might bring.
For more information visit EAC’s Member Services page.
7. SAVE MONEY: Take advantage of EAC member discounts
Goal: Save money on the products you already buy
A comfortable work space combined with proper office supplies can have a significant impact on your productivity. Why not save money on the products you already buy for your office? EAC is excited to partner with these suppliers so members can get great discounts on a variety of office tools.
- Grand & Toy
- Staples Advantage
- Cult Pens
- Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC)
- Usito
- PerfectIt
Visit the Members’ Area to take advantage of these discounts.
NEW! CHRC has two recent releases that may be of interest EAC members:
- a revised and updated version of The Art of Managing Your Career in Writing–a writing-specific addition to The Art of Managing Your Career; and
- 5 e-learning courses based on The Art of Managing Your Career for self-study anytime anywhere.
To learn more about these invaluable and affordable tools that can make the difference between success and disappointment in a career as a self-employed editor, visit the CHRC website. Remember, because EAC is an Organization Plus member of CHRC, our members may apply to CHRC for affiliate membership status and benefit from a 25% discount on CHRC products.
The EAC national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.