News, events, tips and updates from Editors Canada
In this issue:
1. TRAINING: Missed any of our recent fall webinars? It’s not too late!
2. CONNECT: Introducing two new Editors Canada discussion forums
3. DISCOUNTS: Editors Canada partners with the Northwest Editors Guild
4. GET INVOLVED: Write for The Editors’ Weekly
5. ADVOCACY: Government of Canada consults Canadians on copyright in the age of AI
6. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
7. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
1. TRAINING: Missed any of our recent fall webinars? It’s not too late!
If you haven’t yet explored our fall webinar lineup, there’s still time—because all sessions are available as recordings! Check out our recent webinars on:
- Writing and editing spoken word
- Working with other editors (subcontracting, networking, etc.)
- Editing with ChatGPT
- Understanding and composing alt text
…and much more!
When you purchase a webinar recording (at 40% off with your member discount), you can watch and learn at your leisure. See the full selection on our webinars page.
2. CONNECT: Introducing two new Editors Canada discussion forums
This summer, we launched the Editors Canada Forum, a Google Group exclusively for Editors Canada members and student affiliates to connect. Subscribers participate in courteous and respectful discussion by email, a web interface, or both. To date, nearly 200 members and student affiliates have joined the Editors Canada Forum.
We’re now pleased to introduce two new exclusive Google Groups.
Forum francophone de Réviseurs Canada
Like the Editors Canada Forum, the Forum francophone de Réviseurs Canada is a Google Group for current members and student affiliates to participate in email or web-based discussions on topics ranging from practical advice on editing and the workplace to sharing job opportunities and recommendations on professional tools and technology. It’s also a place for casual conversation among editing colleagues.
English-speaking members are welcome; however, please note that discussion on the Forum francophone de Réviseurs Canada takes place in French.
Food Editors
Food Editors is a place for food editors to connect on topics ranging from practical advice on editing documents within the realm of food and beverage to sharing job opportunities and recommendations on resources.
The food editing niche encompasses a variety of materials, including cookbooks, memoirs and even menus. If you’re a current or aspiring food editor, or are an editor with an interest in the niche, this is the forum for you.
How to join
1. Visit the home page of the Google Group you’d like to join:
2. Click the “Ask to join group” button
If you don’t see the “Ask to join group” button, email communications@editors.ca and let the national office know which Google Group(s) you’d like to join. Please include your full name and email address.
3. Verify your name and email address
If your Google display name or email address is different from the one you used to join Editors Canada (i.e., either your name or email address differ from the ones in our Findjoo membership portal), please use the “Reason for joining” box to confirm your Editors Canada name and email address. You don’t need to include any other info in this box.
4. Wait for the national office to confirm your subscription
Google Groups approval is done manually because the national office staff must confirm you are a current member or student affiliate. Once approved, you will receive an automated email from Google Groups. Please allow two to three business days for this process before following up with the national office. Thank you for your patience!
More ways to connect
Looking for other ways to communicate with Editors Canada members and student affiliates? Visit the members’ area of our website for more ways to stay connected.
3. DISCOUNTS: Editors Canada partners with the Northwest Editors Guild
We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with the Northwest Editors Guild. Based in Seattle, Washington, the Guild connects editors from around the Pacific Northwest Region (Washington, Oregon and Idaho) of the United States and beyond, now offering membership nationwide in the US.
The following benefits are now available for members of Editors Canada who live outside the United States:
- Register for Northwest Editors Guild conferences, webinars and online courses at the same price as Northwest Editors Guild members. Visit the Northwest Editors Guild partner page in the members’ area of our website for discount codes as the Guild provides them.
- For access to the Northwest Editors Guild’s free members-only events, please email info@edsguild.org.
- Please note that access to Guild mentoring, discussion lists and other members-only services is not included in this partnership.
Visit the members’ area of our website to learn more about discounts and other benefits you don’t want to miss.
4. GET INVOLVED: Write for The Editors’ Weekly
Which business or editing tips have been most helpful to you in your daily work? What do others need to know about editing in your niche? How can editors better incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion principles in their work?
As we look toward 2024, The Editors’ Weekly is seeking new blog content inspired by these questions and more. Whether you’re a brand-new editor or a seasoned professional, your reflections could help others in the industry.
If you’re interested in writing a post, please email Laura Bontje to pitch your idea.
Looking for volunteer resources?
The Editors Canada website offers multiple resources for our volunteers, including two helpful handbooks. Whether you’re new to volunteering or just need to brush up on guidelines and procedures, the Volunteer Handbook has everything you need to know. And the Committee Book provides information and tools for members leading or serving on our national committees. Not a volunteer yet? Check out the Overview of National Committees and Positions, or browse available opportunities on VolunteerConnect.
Visit the volunteer section of the members’ area for these and other resources.
5. ADVOCACY: Government of Canada consults Canadians on copyright in the age of AI
As part of its review of the Copyright Act, the Government of Canada is currently consulting on the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Canadians.
Consultation on Copyright in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Consultation purpose
The government continues working toward amending the Copyright Act for the benefit of all Canadians.
The consultation will focus on the impacts of recent developments in AI on the creative industries and the economic impacts that these technologies have, or could have, on Canadians, and it will look at whether change is required to further improve or reinforce copyright policy for a modern, evolving Canadian economy.
Stakeholder feedback will inform the government’s policy development process.
Who we are consulting
The government welcomes the perspectives of all Canadians interested in matters related to copyright and AI.
Canadians are invited to submit their feedback through an online questionnaire. The consultation also involves roundtables with a diverse group of stakeholders with expertise and experience in this area, including those involved in the creative industries and in AI development.
Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
The consultation closes on December 4, 2023. For more information and to participate in the consultation, visit Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
6. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
In August 2023, Editors Québec member Adebe DeRango-Adem was selected as a fellow for the Richard S. Holden Diversity Fellowship, a collaboration of ACES: The Society for Editing and the Dow Jones News. Fund.
Adebe hopes to use her Holden Fellowship to complete a certificate in publishing, work on developing a book on equity in editing, and mobilize an online platform for fellow sensitivity/equity readers across the globe.
Wayne Jones, a member of Editors Ottawa–Gatineau, published My Sam Johnson: A Biography for General Readers on October 24, 2023, under his own imprint, William & Park. The book is the culmination of an idea Wayne had over 10 years ago to fill the gap in biographies about the great 18th century writer Samuel Johnson. My Sam Johnson is the first fully researched biography of Samuel Johnson for general readers.
The book is available in paperback, ebook and audiobook formats everywhere books are sold.
A client of Editors Manitoba member Andrew Park received a publishing deal with a book proposal that Andrew helped to prepare. This was Andrew’s first time working on a book proposal.
Editors Calgary member Lorna Stuber published her fourth book and second memoir, Nut Bags and Num-Nums, on October 31, 2023. The book is a humorous but poignant account of Lorna’s experiences growing up on a cattle ranch in Alberta. During November, Lorna toured around Alberta to promote the book. Tour dates and locations can be found on Lorna’s website.
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.
7. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
The NEC met on October 15, 2023. Topics of discussion included the following:
- The conference co-chairs are busy determining the venue and dates of the 2024 conference in British Columbia. Those details will be shared by the conference committee once they have been finalized.
- The francophone conference is scheduled to be held next year as well, and the francophone adviser, Badou Bousso, has been consulting with members to get an idea of how the conference can best serve francophone members.
- The website task force is working hard to overcome some last-minute challenges with the new website.
- The new strategic plan remains a priority, with work anticipated to start in the new year.
- Other committees, like the training and development, certification and publications committees, are moving ahead with projects and offerings, such as webinars, professional certification exams and upcoming publications.
The December e-news update will include a summary of the November NEC meeting.
Maria Frank
President
The national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.