News, events, tips and updates from Editors Canada
In this issue:
1. EDITORS 21: Thank you!
2. WEBINARS: Train online with Editors Canada
3. TWIG NEWS: Editors Atlantic is here
4. GET INVOLVED: Insurance task force leader needed
4. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: Proofreading practices survey results
5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Mentorship
6. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
7. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
1. EDITORS 21: Thank you!
That’s a wrap on Editors 21: Editors Transform, Editors Canada’s first virtual conference!
Thank you to all the volunteers, speakers, vendors, sponsors and attendees for making Editors 21: Editors Transform a huge success! We can’t wait to see you in 2022 in Edmonton!
Don’t forget: Registrants have access to session recordings until September 30, 2021. To access the recordings, log into the virtual event portal. The link is in the “Your Access to the Editors 21: Editors Transform Virtual Portal” email you received the week of the conference.
2. WEBINARS: Train online with Editors Canada
Are you looking for training opportunities online? Check out our upcoming webinars.
Don’t forget: Editors Canada members and student affiliates register at discounted rates.
Upcoming webinars
- Tuesday, June 29: Introduction à la révision linguistique à l’aide de Google Documents with Nancy Semegen
- Tuesdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27: Accessibility for Editors with Suzanne Schaan
- Wednesday, August 11: To Be More Efficient and Consistent, Build a Better Checklist with Kelly Schrank
- Monday, August 23 to Thursday, August 26: What Skills and Knowledge Should a Professional Editor Working in Canada Have in 2021? with Berna Ozunal, CPE
Catch up on demand: Webinar recordings are available
Did you miss an Editors Canada webinar? Many of our webinars have been recorded and are now available for purchase (and some are even free).
Recently added
- Editing in Another World with Ellen Forget
- Anti-Hustle: Marketing Against Greed with Letitia Henville
- Get Into a Long-Term Relationship With Your Clients! with Michelle Waitzman
- Using Autocorrects and Text Expanders for Efficient Editing with Karin Horler
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, so be sure to check often.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
3. TWIG NEWS: Editors Atlantic is here
Members of the Editors Newfoundland & Labrador and Editors Nova Scotia twigs have agreed to merge into a new twig called Editors Atlantic. Overseeing this new twig are Margo Grant, Sandy Newton and Molly Rookwood.
Welcome, Editors Atlantic!
4. GET INVOLVED: Insurance task force leader needed
The insurance task force is looking for a leader. The task force is researching insurance carriers to find a life and health Insurance package. Once this is settled, we will move on to errors and omissions insurance and home and auto packages.
If you’re interested in leading the task force or would like more information, please email Patricia MacDonald.
5. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: Proofreading practices survey results
The results are in!
Thank you for participating in the certification steering committee’s survey on proofreading practices. We received a large number of responses, and the results will help us ensure the exam reflects how most editors proofread.
The responses indicated that the majority of editors proofread on screen (84% vs. 16% proofreading on paper). Participants were split evenly on software, with approximately 50% using Word and 50% using Adobe Acrobat. Most editors indicated that they (or their clients) overwhelmingly prefer markup tools to imported stamps.
Many respondents also included comments that helped clarify the reasoning behind their practices. This feedback is invaluable to the committee as we make decisions on how to structure future exams. Thanks so much for your input!
This year’s exams (Proofreading and Structural Editing) will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2021. Registration opens in July; visit the Editors Canada Professional Certification page for details.
6. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Mentorship
The Editors Canada mentorship program now offers two levels of mentorship.
Level 1
- designed primarily for student affiliates and those who have a small, clearly defined topic they want to discuss
- 4–5 hours over 1 month
Level 2
- designed for a more in-depth mentoring experience
- 10–20 hours over 2 months
- can be extended up to 6 months
Visit the John Eerkes-Medrano Mentorship Program page for more details and to apply to be a mentor or a mentee.
Testimonials
“My first mentorship term was a wonderful experience! My mentor was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and inspiring. She tailored our conversations to my needs and was very generous when answering questions and recommending resources. Working with her over these last two months has given me many different perspectives on my editing career. Thank you so much to Editors Canada for making this possible.”
– Sarah Jefferies, PhD
“What a great opportunity to learn collegially and to benefit from the experience of a senior editor: we’re lucky to have a program like this. Thanks so much for this opportunity!”
– Claire Wilkshire
7. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
The Unsuitable Bride by Pamela McGarry has been shortlisted by the 2021 Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBA). Editors British Columbia member Sheila Cameron is excited and proud that this is the third WIBA shortlisted book she’s contributed to. The others were Goodnight Sunshine by Mark Cameron (2016 awards) and 17 Weddings by Mark Cameron (2019 awards). As a freelance editor working alone, she often wonders if her editing contributions are worthy. It is a real boost to have WIBA recognize three books that she has had the pleasure of working on. WIBA began in 2016 and provides valuable manuscript feedback to authors.
Editors Toronto member Greg Ioannou is relieved to announce the long-delayed launch of his new company, PubLaunch, which connects writers, especially self-publishing authors, with pre-screened publishing professionals. You’re all welcome to sign up as suppliers (e.g., editors, proofreaders, indexers and writing coaches). We’ve made the process as easy as possible. Professionally certified editors and proofreaders are automatically pre-approved for the areas in which Editors Canada has certified them. We’re currently strengthening the roster of suppliers on the site. We’ll start marketing the site to writers at some point in June. (At the moment, we’re especially looking for experienced ghostwriters and illustrators. Please tell your friends!) Please check out www.publaunch.com.
Editors Canada Member News is where we share information about members and affiliates who win awards, publish books and make their marks 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. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
The national executive council (NEC) met on Tuesday, May 25, to discuss a variety of topics, including the following:
- Margo Grant, Sandy Newton and Molly Rookwood joined the NEC to discuss the merger of Editors Nova Scotia and Editors Newfoundland & Labrador into Editors Atlantic. This merger allows for events via online platforms, such as Zoom, and makes the twig fully functional over a large region. The goal for administration of the new twig will be to have at least one twig coordinator who is not based in Halifax, to avoid the twig becoming Halifax-centric. This newly created twig will bring expanded resources and opportunities to all of Editors Canada’s Atlantic members.
- The NEC also reviewed the draft auditors’ report, which was received shortly before the meeting. The report contains some recommendations that the NEC will discuss how to implement it once more time has been given to review the report.
A summary of the June 27 meeting will follow in the next e-news update.
Heather Buzila
President
The national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.