News, events, tips and updates from Editors Canada
In this issue:
1. TRAINING: Submit your proposal to present an Editors Canada webinar
2. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: Get certified for success
3. PARL: Will you join us?
4. CONFERENCE 2018: Join us in Saskatoon
5. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Christina Vasilevski
6. BRANCH NEWS: Making connections
7. MEMBER NEWS: Tell the world about your accomplishments
8. RESOURCES: New presentation for in-house editors
9. PUBLICATIONS: Editing Canadian English, 3rd edition and Editorial Niches
10. INCREASED DISCOUNTS: A new partnership
11. EXTERNAL LIAISON: Save on Gutenberg’s Fingerprint: Paper, Pixels and the Lasting Impression
12. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
1. TRAINING: Submit your proposal to present an Editors Canada webinar
Editors Canada is known for delivering high-quality training for editors at every stage of their careers. Last year, we introduced online training with Editors Canada webinars. We’ve run our first successful webinar season and are now inviting proposals from experienced speakers for our 2017–18 season.
We’re looking for topics of benefit to our diverse audience.
Editors Canada webinars are informational and educational and can be offered in English and/or French. We’re looking for webinars that are 60–90 minutes in length (or longer webinars that can be broken up into shorter sessions if you would like more time for your topic). Instructors will be offered a flat fee based on webinar length.
If you have a session to present that would fit this format, we would like to hear from you.
Please complete the webinar proposal form (331.86 KB)and send it to the director of training and development at Director_Training@editors.ca no later than Thursday, August 31. Please include only one webinar proposal per form.
If you have any questions about Editors Canada webinars, please address them to Director_Training@editors.ca.
Catch up on demand with webinar recordings
Did you miss one of our first-season webinars? Most of our webinars are recorded and are now available for purchase. (Members always save 25% and we’ve even shared some webinar recordings for free on YouTube!) When you buy a webinar recording, you’ll receive a video file to watch at your leisure on your computer or mobile device. The file is yours to keep, so you can watch it again and again.
Visit our webinar recordings page to see what’s available now. We’re adding new recordings regularly and some are available for a limited time only, so be sure to check often.
2. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: Get certified for success
Need a reminder of what’s new?
2017 marks the launch of computer-based testing for our certification tests. After years of testing various scenarios for onscreen testing, we’ve chosen the option that will provide the most consistent testing conditions for all candidates. Our tests in copy editing and stylistic editing will take place on PCs in computer labs across the nation on Saturday, November 18.
A game-changer for all editors
Looking for a way to advance your editing career? Certification can benefit editors in every niche—as our certified editors can testify. If you’ve been searching for a breakthrough, Editors Canada certification may be the professional recognition you need.
Register early and secure your spot!
If you want to take this year’s certification tests in a lab near you, make your move now. Sign up for the tests and become Editors Canada-certified.
3. PARL: Will you join us?
Will you be among the candidates who will write our examen général du Programme d’agrément en révision linguistique on Saturday, October 14?
Did you know…
- some employers have now added the criteria of « réviseur agréé » to the qualifications they seek in their job candidates?
- the title of réviseur agréé helps you to stand out, since your competence has been recognized by a professional association?
Don’t delay! You have until Friday, September 15, to register for the exam in Quebec City or Montreal.
For more information on the Programme, visit the Programme d’agrément en révision linguistique – Réviseurs Canada pages or watch our free info session, which was recorded earlier this summer.
4. CONFERENCE 2018: Join us in Saskatoon
The dates have been set, so pencil us into your calendars now!
“Bridging Communities—Bringing together communication-related professions”
May 25–27, 2018
Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Join us on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter.
Learn more about the City of Bridges at Tourism Saskatoon.
PictureYourselfYXE contest
Editors Saskatchewan wants you to join us in Saskatoon for the 2018 Editors Canada conference, so we are offering you this opportunity to win a free 2018 conference pass!
How to enter: There are just 3 easy steps.
Download the contest poster. (101.13 KB)- Take a selfie holding the contest poster.
- Post it online using these hashtags: #PictureYourselfYXE #Editors18
Contest deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2017
Winners will be announced in the October national e-news update.
5. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Christina Vasilevski
Christina Vasilevski joined Editors Canada in 2009, while a student of Ryerson University’s publishing program. In the years following she worked on a freelance basis before joining the digital team at Rogers Communications as an in-house editor. There, she works closely with project managers, web designers, translators, copy writers, and (of course) other editors to develop the company’s website and related apps.
Christina joined the student relations committee in 2015 and has since helped lead the student affiliate sessions at the last two conferences. Recalling the lively, in-depth discussions, Christina is ecstatic to have found such a meaningful way to give back. “I’m really happy to have the chance to contribute to the organization’s well-being on a fundamental level,” she says, adding Editors Canada has been instrumental in “developing [her] craft and building connections,” especially as a student.
With her fellow committee members, Christina works to help students interested in editing as a profession get involved with Editors Canada. She admits this hasn’t been easy, as most editing programs are offered after students have already left university, so traditional advertising falls short. They are now experimenting with social media for attracting more student members.
Christina also finds time to indulge her love of speculative fiction as a slush reader for Lightspeed magazine. This she combines with her deep love of tea at Books & Tea, where she invites you to join her.
The volunteer of the month highlights the dedicated people who keep Editors Canada going. Volunteers are the backbone of the association. We are grateful for the many members and affiliates who answer the call when help is needed.
6. BRANCH NEWS: Making connections
Looking to connect with other members? There is more of Editors Canada on Facebook
Editors Canada—Prairies is a place where editors from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Territories can meet to share expertise on specific topics related to editing, post editing jobs, plan social or networking events in their communities, ask for advice on editorial matters, socialize and get to know each other, and exchange ideas about organizing smaller Editors Canada groups (twigs) within the region.
Editors Canada Branch and Twig Group (closed group) is a place for all Editors Canada members who have an interest in, or a responsibility for, any aspect of starting or running a branch or twig. It’s a place to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, and network with leaders and members from other branches and twigs across Canada.
See you on Facebook!
Zoom meetings
Your regional directors (west and east) have enthusiastically embraced the new communications tool known as Zoom. It has been used to connect remote participants in meetings such as the national executive council’s June meeting, the branch/twig finance task force and a twig annual general meeting. Zoom has largely replaced the more traditional conference call and is considerably cheaper.
Zoom is extremely simple to set up. A first-time user will need to download a small program and perform a simple test. After that, click on the call details provided by the national office and go. Being a visual medium, it is easy to see the reactions of participants and it creates a better feeling of involvement.
We encourage neighbouring branches and twigs to use Zoom to share information about upcoming events, to consult with each other over policy matters in addition to the information that your directors will be sending out on a regular basis.
Instead of a prolonged e-mail exchange, a quick Zoom call could be arranged which would facilitate clear communication. Its use is only limited by your imagination!
Lisa Ng and David Johansen
Regional directors of branches and twigs
7. MEMBER NEWS: Tell the world about your accomplishments
Editors Canada Member News is where we share information about members and affiliates who win awards, publish books and make their mark in other important ways.
Do you have an achievement you’d like to share? Are you excited about a new project or opportunity that has come your way? Let us tell the world all about it! Please send your stories to the member news coordinator.
8. RESOURCES: New presentation for in-house editors
For the past two years, we’ve held a roundtable discussion for in-house editors at the annual conference. The purpose is to get ideas to improve services for in-house members.
Last year, roundtable members talked about several possibilities, including
- meetings of in-house editors
- a web page focused on benefits of membership for in-house editors
- fact sheets with reasons why employers should consider paying for conferences, membership and training
We’ve done those three things.
- Editors Ottawa-Gatineau has hosted some meetings for in-house members and encouraged other branches to do the same.
- We now have a spot on our website for in-house members.
- In the members’ area of the website, we have a page with information that employees can use to persuade their employers to pay for conferences, membership and training.
At the 2017 roundtable, the participants asked for a presentation on the website for editors to download and use at work, one that discusses the different stages (types) of editing (including estimates of time).
That presentation is now available on the page Benefits of Editors Canada membership for in-house editors. See the box called Resources.
If you have more ideas about what you’d like to see for in-house editors, contact the director of volunteer relations.
9. PUBLICATIONS: Editing Canadian English, 3rd edition and Editorial Niches
Get the latest guidance on Canadian English, from Canadianization to spelling, abbreviations, punctuation, measurements, bilingual texts and so much more. Written by expert editors, they are reference guides you can depend on.
Member discount
You’ll get all of Editing Canadian English 3 and Editorial Niches with an online subscription to EditingCanadianEnglish.ca. Editors Canada members and affiliates pay $25 annually (regular price $35) for this version, which you can access anytime, anywhere. To get the discount, use the membership code MoreThanMeetsTheEh.
Institutional discount
Discounted subscriptions to EditingCanadianEnglish.ca are also available for school and public libraries, government departments and agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. For more information, contact the national office.
Print editions
Looking for hard copies of these incredible resources? You can also purchase Editing Canadian English, 3rd edition and Editorial Niches in print.
Follow Editing Canadian English 3 on Twitter
Editing Canadian English 3 is tweeting! Follow @CdnEnglish for regular tips and advice from the ECE3 team. Retweet us to help spread the word!
10. INCREASED DISCOUNTS: A new partnership
Editors Canada has a new partnership agreement in place.
The agreement is with the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) in the US.
- Members of Editors Canada can register for EFA conferences, webinars and online training courses and other mutually agreed training and development services at the same price as EFA members.
- Members of EFA can register for Editors Canada conferences, webinars and online training courses and other mutually agreed training and development services at the same price as Editors Canada members.
Offering limited discounts, and getting discounts in return, increases options for our members and brings the association revenue that it would not normally receive. As well, members of other associations will see our name in their communications material, so that raises our profile—which could result in new members for Editors Canada.
To learn more about exclusive discounts, visit the Members’ Area of the association website.
*Discounts do not apply for EFA members who live in Canada.
11. EXTERNAL LIAISON: Save on Gutenberg’s Fingerprint: Paper, Pixels and the Lasting Impression
Our friends at the Book and Periodical Council (BPC) have shared a discount with Editors Canada members.
ECW has a new book out called Gutenberg’s Fingerprint: Paper, Pixels and the Lasting Impression by Merilyn Simonds—which explores the past, present and future of books—and they are offering a very special price for all BPC members (Editors Canada is a member of the BPC).
To redeem this offer: Go to ECW Press and carry through to checkout. Enter the code BPC25 at checkout, and the total will come down to $24.75, including all taxes and shipping! (Regular price $29.95 before taxes and shipping.)
In Gutenberg’s Fingerprint, Simonds learns to create handmade books on a 19th-century letterpress while also developing a digital edition of the same book, causing her to question her assumptions about reading, writing and the nature of creativity. Part memoir and part philosophical and historical exploration, Gutenberg’s Fingerprint explores the past, present and future of books.
Gutenberg’s Fingerprint is a timely and fascinating book that explores the myths, inventions and consequences of the digital shift and how we read today.
“Gutenberg’s Fingerprint gives book lovers food for thought as to what it is we love about physical books and what digital books have to offer us. Simonds leaves no doubt that print books will likely endure, but does leave room to ponder—what may come next?” – Falling Letters
Merilyn Simonds is the author of 16 books, including The Holding, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice; The Convict Lover, finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award; and most recently The Paradise Project, flash-fiction stories hand-printed on a 19th-century press. She is founding artistic director of Kingston WritersFest and a past chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada.
12. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
I heard my first cicada of 2017 today. In Ontario, that (usually) means it’s August (and hot). I lived in Ottawa for three years before I figured out that the noise was from cicadas. All that time, I thought people were sawing wood (and I thought that people in Ottawa sure sawed a lot of wood…and at the strangest hours). Coming from Alberta, I’d never heard a cicada. I don’t miss the Calgary magpies, though.
Even though it’s summer, and many on the NEC are taking holidays, we’re getting ready for the work that will begin in earnest in the fall.
- Committee chairs and directors are now thinking about plans for the coming year.
- At the September meeting of the national executive council, directors will go over committee plans and requests, to help committees achieve the association’s strategic outcomes.
As always, committees will have ambitious and creative plans. I’m excited to see what everyone will come up with.
I’m hoping our focus this year will be on recruiting more students, attracting more volunteers, increasing services and finding more ways to increase association revenue.
See you in the fall. Sharpen those pencils!
Gael Spivak, president
Welcome to Editors Canada!
Editors British Columbia
Lori Fowler, Peter Francis, Rony Ganon, Jennifer McLean
Editors Edmonton
Alicia Cappello, Deanna McLeod, Heidi Robinson
Editors Hamilton-Halton
Heather Alvarez, Cheryl O’Shea
Editors Toronto
Joshua Francis, Marie Lynne Grandbois, Matthew Larocque Coulas, Mira Pinkus, Michael Redhill, Ezeekyal Trepanier
Editors Ottawa–Gatineau
Rachel Gendron
Editors Quebec/Atlantique Canada
Michael Brière, Jane Cormack, Judy Cuggy Lapalme, Hélène Larouche, Marie-Merci Muhoza, Catherine Muir
The national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.