News, events, tips and updates from Editors Canada
In this issue:
1. WEBINARS: Train online with Editors Canada
2. CONNECT: Join our online meetings
3. EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: New national adviser
4. FEATURED VOLUNTEER: Marie-Hélène Cadieux
5. VOLUNTEER RESOURCES: Updated Volunteer Handbook and Committee book now available
6. #EDITORS21: 2021 conference to be a virtual event
7. QUICK POLL: How do you network with other editors today?
8. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: Study tips for the Stylistic Editing exam
9. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Mentorship
10. STUDENT RELATIONS: Committee update
11. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
12. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
1. 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
- Thursday, November 12: Readability Tricks with Christa Bedwin
- Thursday, November 19: L’accord du participe passé : hier, aujourd’hui et… demain! with Annie Desnoyers
- Wednesday, November 25: L’orthographe moderne recommandée with Chantal Contant
- Wednesday, December 2: Business Planning for Freelancers with Sagan Morrow
- Thursday, December 3 and 10: Les anglicismes au Québec : une question de variation with Mireille Elchacar
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
- Les dictionnaires en ligne : utiles ou pas? with Mireille Elchacar
- Productivity While Working From Home with Sagan Morrow
- Finding Work: Tips for Students and New Editors with Greg Ioannou (FREE!)
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.
2. CONNECT: Join our online meetings
The Editors’ Vine
The Editors’ Vine is the virtual group of Editors Canada, developed for members who are unable to attend in-person branch and twig meetings. It meets twice a month, on the first Thursday of the month and the Saturday following, with the same topic for both dates.
Autumn seems to suit the Vine: the participant list, currently at 120 members, is growing steadily. And the Vine is producing some great fruit, too. In September, we talked about the benefits of macros and were delighted when macro guru Paul Beverley made an unannounced appearance at the Saturday meeting. In our October meetings, our guest Susan Crossman inspired editors by showing how marketing is closely tied to the value we ascribe to our work. The topic for November is “Getting the most from Style Sheets” with Lesley Cameron. Visit the members’ area for the schedule of upcoming meetings.
If you would like to be added to the Vine’s participant list to receive login details for meetings, or if you’d just like more information, please email the Vine moderators, Nicola Aquino and Lenore Hietkamp.
La Vigne des réviseurs
Réviseurs Ottawa-Gatineau s’attelle en ce moment à développer, en collaboration avec Réviseurs Québec, les offres de réseautage et d’échanges en ligne. Ainsi est née La Vigne des réviseurs, au sein de laquelle on attend prochainement des nouveautés!
Pour en savoir plus sur les prochaines rencontres de la Vigne, envoyez un courriel à Agnès André.
3. EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: New national adviser
The national executive council (NEC) recently voted to create a new national position to help with association equity work.
This new adviser role is in addition to the equity, diversity and inclusion task force that is currently researching ways for Editors Canada to implement the Statement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion that members voted on in 2019.
The NEC also voted to appoint the first person in this role. Adebe DeRango-Adem (Editors Toronto) is an editor and published author who brings diverse experience in the realms of publishing, cultural programming, and anti-racism and human rights/equity education.
Adebe is strongly committed to working with (and amplifying the voices of) BIPOC/racialized authors in Canada, across Canada (and across a variety of genres). Her goals as EDI adviser will focus on developing creative strategies to prioritize and positively impact diverse members of the Editors Canada community, as well as serving as a key resource for the NEC on matters related to student affiliates and members (particularly those from marginalized communities).
Several editors and authors I know have been finding it challenging to keep afloat in a time of what many would agree is precarious work. Many of us are learning to work from home for the first time, in the midst of a global pandemic and global movement to address anti-Black racism and police violence. It would not be in good style to continue our practices “as usual,” and it is difficult, if not impossible, to foresee a “normal” we can return to, in any case.
Style is important, but then there is structure, too. Systemic problems need a fine eye for structural change. In a North American publishing context—largely been built on Euro-Western value systems (e.g., what counts as “good writing”) and representations of human experience—I feel that holding space for diverse voices has become all the more urgent. Editing is anything but a passive job; like writing, it is an incredibly active experience that requires full focus and attention to the nuances of language, how language acts in a text. Similarly, the reduction of inequality can only happen through action.
In addition to as-needed advisory support for equity issues as they may arise, as EDI adviser I will continue to promote the work of our diverse community members where I can, and share the resources I have found useful on anti-racist/de-colonial praxis (through an editorial lens) along the way. As a Black-identifying woman writer and editor, and in the spirit of intersectional activism, I am committed more than ever to joining fellow editors, writers, publishers, educators and kin in taking inventory right now of how best to create meaningful opportunities for BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, neurodiverse and differently abled persons across the board.
Adebe DeRango-Adem
equity.adviser@editors.ca
4. FEATURED VOLUNTEER: Marie-Hélène Cadieux
It took 10 years, but plying her bilingual language skills while working in the hotel business convinced Marie-Hélène Cadieux to pursue her true passion: translation. After completing a BA in Translation in 2008 at Université de Montréal and working for several professional firms, Marie-Hélène launched her own translation, editing and proofreading business, Traductions Marie-Hélène Cadieux, in 2015. Her love of books took her to Université de Sherbrooke in 2017, where she completed a diploma in publishing two years later. Now, she says, “I have the privilege to work every day on the development of long-term partnerships with companies in finance, publishing, environment, public relations and technology.”
In 2017, Marie-Hélène also joined Editors Québec. “I was already volunteering in various areas of my life, but I wanted to get involved from a professional perspective as well,” she says. Impressed with the branch’s vitality, Marie-Hélène soon took charge of networking activities in Montreal. Over the past three years, she has organized multiple activities, workshops, festive events and annual meetings for her branch.
“Volunteering at Editors Canada means collaborating with wonderful professionals,” says Marie-Hélène. “We’re all working toward the same goals: improving our skills, sharing our knowledge and meeting interesting peers!”
Living in the heart of the Laurentians, Marie-Hélène enjoys hiking, paddling and gardening. She has also recently discovered pottery. “All these passions allow me to stay healthy physically, mentally and creatively,” she says. “This balance is beneficial to my life and my career!”
~S. Robin Larin
The featured volunteer recognizes the contributions of our dedicated people who keep Editors Canada going. Volunteers are the backbone of the association and we are grateful for the many members and affiliates who answer the call when help is needed.
5. VOLUNTEER RESOURCES: Updated Volunteer Handbook and Committee book now available
The Volunteer Handbook has now been updated with an exciting new look. This book is intended to provide you with all the information you need on volunteering with Editors Canada. Topics include: volunteer conduct, volunteer leaders, recruiting and training, and more!
The Committee Book has also been updated. This book is intended to provide you with information and tools you’ll find useful in carrying out your commitment as a national committee chair or committee member.
Visit the Members’ Area to download these free resources.
6. #EDITORS21: 2021 conference to be a virtual event
The 2021 Editors Canada conference will now be held completely online instead of in Edmonton. I know this will be disappointing to some people (myself included), who were looking forward to meeting in person after the cancellation of the 2020 conference. Breanne MacDonald and I explored different options and considered various scenarios, but we kept coming back to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic and how that would impact our planning and budget. We were able to negotiate with the conference venue in Edmonton to move our contract with them to 2022 (dates TBD), so we are now able to turn our attention to going fully virtual. We are excited about the possibilities this opens up and are looking forward to finding innovative ways to connect with editors across Canada and the world.
Our Facebook group will reflect updates in conference planning, and we will have our conference Twitter accounts and the conference web pages up and running as soon as possible.
Heather Buzila
2021 conference chair
7. QUICK POLL: How do you network with other editors today?
The career builder committee is working on initiatives relating to networking, and we’d love to hear about your current experiences so we can help you expand your editing connections. Please take our anonymous two-minute poll and learn more about the different ways you can network within Editors Canada.
www.surveymonkey.com/r/XMKDNYW
8. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION: Study tips for the Stylistic Editing exam
Registered for the Stylistic Editing certification exam? The exam takes place Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., local time. Registration for the exam is now closed.
Take advantage of Editors Canada expertise and resources as you study. A recording of the webinar, “Are You Certifiable? Preparing for Editors Canada’s Certification Exams,” is available on the website free of charge. Two of the former co-chairs of the certification steering committee, Anne Brennan and Jeanne McKane, explain the exam format and answer questions about professional certification and how to prepare to take the tests. They also describe the program as a whole and provide test-taking tips from certified editors.
Want more tips?
Visit Preparing for Certification to find resources to enhance your studying, including links for ordering the test preparation guides; lists of books on grammar, punctuation, editing and proofreading; and strategies for studying.
What do certified editors recommend? Study early and often, and practise, practise, practise!
Try a sample stylistic editing question!
The focus of the meeting was back-office personnel efficiency enhancement procedures development.
Which problem does this sentence contain?
a. Noun string
b. Non-parallel construction
c. Unnecessary modifiers
d. Redundancy
9. 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
10. STUDENT RELATIONS: Committee update
Greetings from the student relations committee! We recently completed our “Ask an Experienced Editor” series in the student affiliate Facebook group with our second draw of a free Editors Canada webinar. Many thanks to all the editors who graciously answered our questionnaire, and to all those who shared in the ensuing lively discussions. If you enjoyed this project—and the tremendously positive response suggests you did—keep your eyes peeled for more student-focused series in the months ahead.
We also enjoyed a committee-requested webinar by Greg Ioannou, “Finding Work: Tips for Students and New Editors” (available on the Editors Canada website and on YouTube) and compiled a helpful collection of inclusivity-related resources (available pinned to the top of the Facebook group or as a Google doc: Inclusivity-Related Editing Documents.
As planning gets underway for the 2021 annual conference, the student relations committee is working to make it the best possible experience for all student affiliates.
Contact the committee with your comments, questions and suggestions.
11. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
Dominique Gaucher (Editors Québec), secretary of the Editors Québec branch, editor, and resident of Laval, Quebec, published her fifth poetry opus last June, L’inverse de la lumière (the opposite of light) with Écrits des Forges (Trois-Rivières). Learn more about the author.
Amy Haagsma (Editors British Columbia) has joined the partnership of West Coast Editorial Associates, LLP. Amy specializes in copy editing and proofreading non-fiction materials, with a focus on business and technical communication and academic writing. She is a Certified Copy Editor and Certified Proofreader through Editors Canada, and her many contributions to Editors Canada include co-chairing the national conference in 2016 and holding executive or committee roles with the British Columbia branch for seven years. For more information, please contact Barbara Johnston.
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.
12. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
The NEC met on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 27, via Zoom. Planning for three-hour meetings once a month as opposed to quarterly two-day meetings has been an adjustment, but everyone seems to be settling into this new meeting schedule. Here are some of the topics the NEC covered during those two meetings:
- The NEC voted to create an equity, diversity and inclusion task force to look into recommendations for implementing the Statement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion that members approved at the 2019 AGM. The intent was to find ways to implement the statement at a later date, but this work was spurred on by recent events in the United States and Canada.
- Adebe DeRango-Adem was voted in as the equity, diversity and inclusion adviser to the NEC. Adebe is an editor and published author and has experiences and skills that make her ideal for this position.
- The francophone adviser, Sylvie Collin, will be approaching the Ordre des traducteurs terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ) about a possible national partnership. This partnership would help Editors Canada reach more francophone editors, translators and writers, which is timely given the number of French webinars that are in development.
- Margo Grant, co-coordinator of Editors Nova Scotia, met with the NEC during the September 27 meeting to update us on twig activities. The twig is working hard to connect its members and has held some virtual events over the last few months, with more planned.
The next NEC meeting is Sunday, October 25, from 2 p.m.to 5 p.m., EDT. The agenda and Zoom link for the meeting will be posted on the Editors Canada website before the meeting date.
Heather Buzila
President
Answer
a. Noun string
The national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.