Seminars

Meet the Instructor: Trena White

Written by Carl Rosenberg; copy edited by Meagan Kus

Trena White

On Saturday, February 25, Editors BC will present Trena White, who will give a three-hour seminar on editing non-fiction book proposals. In this session, participants will learn how to help authors assemble book proposals that will open doors with agents and publishers.

Trena is co-founder of Page Two, a Vancouver-based publishing agency specializing in non-fiction books, and an associate agent of Transatlantic Agency. Before launching Page Two, Trena was publisher of Douglas & McIntyre and Greystone Books, and a non-fiction editor at McClelland & Stewart. She is an adjunct professor in publishing at SFU.

Carl Rosenberg, a volunteer on Editors BC’s communications and social media committee, spoke to Trena about her advice on book proposals.

Continue reading →

Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
Image

February 25, 2017: Editing Non-Fiction Book Proposals

What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, February 25, 2017, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: SFU Harbour Centre, Room 2200, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: $105 for Editors Canada members ($85 early bird), $170 for non-members ($150 early bird), and $70 for student affiliates. Advance registration required. Registration closes February 17; early-bird rates are in effect through February 3.

A thorough book proposal is required for most non-fiction authors to land a deal with a publisher or representation by a literary agent. In this three-hour session, you will learn how to shape a non-fiction book proposal that will open doors. You’ll discover each of the elements required (from competitive title analysis to author bio, chapter summaries, and more) and how to make them stand out. You will learn about common editorial issues with non-fiction book proposals and how to help position a book for the marketplace. Visit the registration page for more details.

Continue reading →

Meet the Instructor: Heidi Turner

by Carl Rosenberg

On Saturday, January 28, Editors BC will present Heidi Turner, who will give two related half-day seminars for editors and writers. The two seminars, Business Planning Your Way to Success and Finding and Managing Good Clients, will offer practical advice and tools for freelancing from two different angles: using a business plan, and building and maintaining a client base.

Heidi is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years’ experience. She has given courses as part of SFU’s editing program and regularly presents workshops and one-day courses for people in the writing industry. She has served as the BC regional director for the Professional Writers Association of Canada and founded its Fraser Valley chapter.

Carl Rosenberg, a volunteer on Editors BC’s communications and social media committee, spoke to Heidi about her advice for editors and writers on business planning and finding and managing good clients.

Continue reading →

Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
Image

January 28, 2017: Business Planning Your Way to Success and Finding and Managing Good Clients with Heidi Turner

On January 28, Editors British Columbia presents two related half-day seminars for editors and writers. Heidi Turner will offer practical advice and tools for the business of freelancing from two different angles: using a business plan, and building and maintaining a client base.

Participants can register for each session individually or for both at a reduced rate.

Continue reading →

Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
Image

New Seminar Rates for Student Affiliates

Student affiliates of Editors BC now have even more to look forward to! The BC branch is proud to announce new student-affiliate rates for its professional development seminars.

During a review of the registration fees for 2017, the branch created a new category for student affiliates, who can now access full-day workshops for $100 and half-day workshops for $70. It’s one of many benefits available to you at Editors BC.

Join our great community through Editors Canada’s student affiliate program.

Meet the Instructor: Jessica Somers

by Erin Parker

On Saturday, November 26, Editors BC will present local accountant Jessica Somers and her full-day workshop “Tax and Finance for Freelancers.” Jessica’s workshop will help to demystify the basic tax and finance issues facing freelancers, including GST/HST registration, bookkeeping and record retention, and building financial stability without a salary.

Erin Parker, co-chair of Editors BC’s professional development committee, recently spoke to Jessica about her advice for editors who are just embarking upon the freelancing life and her unique perspective on a topic that many of us find intimidating.

Continue reading →

Meet (and Join!) Your Professional Development Committee

Hello! I’m Lynn Slobogian (left), and this is Erin Parker (right) *waving in spirit*. We’re the 2016–17 co-chairs of Editors British Columbia’s professional development committee. I ran the committee last year as chair, while Erin joined last fall as a committee member. This year we’re working together to continue building our knowledge of members’ needs for professional development and finding new subjects and speakers to tantalize you!

Have you wondered what our committee does? Well, we plan, arrange, and follow up on the eight workshops we run each year, which are based on participant feedback. We also think of new ways to offer professional development that will serve a wider audience, create connections between peers, and broaden the branch’s financial base.

Continue reading →

Meet the Instructor: Peter Moskos

by Connie Behl

Peter Moskos_CROPPEDEditors BC is pleased to present Peter Moskos and his workshop Plain Language: The Basics, which explores the purpose and key techniques of plain language. The workshop will be held in Vancouver on February 24 and in Victoria on May 14, with the Victoria workshop put on in conjunction with the Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island.

Peter is a writer and editor who specializes in plain language. He has a passion for simplifying complex documents and making them clear and easy to follow. He has written and edited reports to Parliament, technical reports, manuals, student handbooks, training materials, speeches, legislation, marketing materials, and advertising brochures. Now based in Vancouver, Peter is retired but continues to offer courses in plain language and in how to build a writing and editing business.

Peter played a formative role in the development of Editors Canada’s certification program and for his contribution was designated an Honorary Certified Professional Editor. In the past, Peter taught in Douglas College’s Print Futures program and was an online instructor for Ryerson University’s Diploma in Publishing.

Connie Behl, a member of Editors BC’s professional development committee, recently interviewed Peter about his journey from teacher to editor, his perspectives on plain language, and challenging plain language work he’s faced.

Continue reading →

Meet the Instructor: Caroline Adderson

1 Comment

by Erin Parker

Caroline Adderson - Credit Cassandra MatichukWe’re thrilled to announce that Caroline Adderson will be teaching Editors BC’s January seminar, Editing Fiction! Caroline is the acclaimed author of four novels (A History of Forgetting, Sitting Practice, The Sky Is Falling, Ellen in Pieces), two collections of short stories (Bad Imaginings, Pleased to Meet You), and many books for young readers. She also teaches in SFU’s Writing and Publishing Program. In this hands-on workshop, Caroline will share valuable techniques to help editors collaborate effectively with writers and bring out the best in their fiction manuscripts.

Erin Parker, a member of Editors BC’s professional development committee, recently had a conversation with Caroline about her writing journey, some of the biggest mistakes editors and authors can make when they start working together, and her appreciation of good books and savvy editors who take their writers out to lunch.

Continue reading →

Image

Event Review: A Matter of Style

Written by Eric Damer; copy edited by Karen Barry

Review of seminar Stylistic Editing: Beyond the Basics with Nancy Flight (offered by Editors BC on October 31, 2015)

When the manuscript you’re editing has sound structure, good grammar, and perfect punctuation, is there anything left to fix? If the manuscript remains awkward, dull, or confusing, then perhaps it is time for some stylistic editing. Our “Halloween” workshop on October 31 with Nancy Flight explored ways to “clarify meaning, improve flow, and smooth language.”

Continue reading →