Author: WCE Editor

Travels with the Grammar Table: Q&A with Ellen Jovin

We had the pleasure of interviewing Ellen Jovin, proprietor of the Grammar Table, the star of Rebel with a Clause—a new documentary filmthat premiered January 10—and the author of the US national bestseller Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian (HarperCollins, 2022). 

We invite you to join Editors BC and Ellen for “Winter Grammarfest!”

When: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm PST
Where: Online via Zoom. Registration is open until January 17.

Enjoy the Q&A below!

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“On the Right Path”: An Emerging Editor’s Journey (Part 1)

By Dana Sorensen

I haven’t been an editor for very long. In some ways, this career snuck up on me.

An equity trader for my entire professional life, I started in that industry partly to make use of my BA in Economics. I was over the moon to have a job I excelled at and where I fit in! As time went on and we were able to trade from home, I used the time I saved on commuting to care for my daughter and my mom-in-law.

 As much as I appreciated my job for the perks, social standing, and the thrill of trading, secretly I knew a big part of my mind was either dormant or only used after hours. Through those years, I had a recurring dream of rediscovering a secret room in my house with built-in bookshelves, a big chair, soft lighting, and even a library ladder!

Cartoon books on shelves enclosed within a heart-shaped frame

In my dream, I was ecstatic that such a soulful, interior place could exist and continue to exist for my whole life. At those times, I knew a crucial part of my mind was going unused, but it would not be ignored forever.

As my life circumstances began to change, I had the urge to use my mind in a new way.  I went through a career exploration package with a local counsellor. It didn’t take much to uncover my aptitude for creative communication and more specifically, editing.

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On Editing Poetry

When:  Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 7:00–8:00 pm PST

Where: Online through Zoom

Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, $10 for non-members, $5 for student non-members

Catriona Strang, senior editor at Talonbooks and author of six books of poetry, will delve into the specifics of editing poetry, including how the various editorial stages (particularly substantive and copy edits) are applicable to poetry manuscripts and the specific needs, demands, and challenges these texts present. Questions will be most welcome.

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Grammar Winterfest!

When: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm PST

Where: Online via Zoom

You are invited to a grammar party with Ellen Jovin, originator of the Grammar Table and star of Rebel with a Clause, a new documentary film by her husband and business partner, Brandt Johnson. The film documents their travels to all 50 US states so Ellen could answer the grammar questions of total strangers on the street. 

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End-of-Year Wrap-Up with The Editors’ Weekly, BoldFace, and West Coast Editor

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In these final days of 2024, the editors of Editors Canada blogs The Editors’ Weekly, BoldFace, and West Coast Editor bring you an end-of-year wrap-up full of advice, reflections on our many successes and challenges, and book recommendations to add to your already full to-read lists.

Today, West Coast Editor presents part one of this three-part series: introducing readers to the blogs and their editors.

Woman sitting at a computer, multitasking.
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Self-Publishing and the Role of Editors

For some writers, self-publishing feels like online dating—a lesser version of the “real thing.” It can be stigmatized: considered a fallback for those who couldn’t fulfill the popular image of “being published.”  But Megan Williams, CEO and managing editor of The Self-Publishing Agency (TSPA), views self-publishing as a powerful alternative that offers many advantages writers might overlook. 

At the Editors BC meeting on November 20, 2024, Megan talked about how she founded and sustained TSPA, described the evolving publishing landscape, and suggested how editors can help writers interested in self-publishing.

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Clarifying Legal Communication: An Editor’s Journey

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Written by Jane Kuang | Copyedited by Dana Sorensen

I was born and raised in a small city where English education was not advanced at that time. My curiosity about the English language and my struggle to break through my language limitations led me to attend the Plain Language and Editing programs at Simon Fraser University. The sense of vulnerability and the disquieting dependence on others for support bothered me for a long time until I learned to face my limits with grace and improve within my capacity. 

Now, as an emerging editor who worked as a paralegal in litigation for a decade, I have witnessed firsthand the communication barriers that arise from differences in language and culture. 

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“Writing for Tomorrow Today”: The Editors BC Virtual Panel at SiWC

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Written by Amanda Goldrick-Jones | Edited by Rainer Zhang

On October 27, 2024, the Surrey International Writers’ Conference (SiWC) offered four local editors—Amanda Goldrick-Jones, Amber Riaz, Lisa Hislop, and Molly Cernik—the opportunity to share their ideas and strategies for future-proofing writing. Panellists focused on writer awareness of audience diversity, inclusion, racial and cultural identity, understanding marginalization and acting on that understanding, and how large language models like ChatGPT can perpetuate biases in writing without human oversight. 

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The New Age of Publishing: Future Trends and Industry Tips for Editors 

When: Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 7:00–8:00 pm PDT

Where: Online through Zoom

Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, $10 for non-members, $5 for student non-members

As the publishing industry evolves, those of us working in the industry must evolve along with it. For editors looking to support their clients with the most up-to-date publishing information, Megan Williams, CEO and founder of The Self Publishing Agency (TSPA), will unveil insider information on the current and future landscape of publishing.  

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