Reviews

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Event Review: Introduction to Applying Proofreading Markup to PDFs

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Written by Ellen Michelle Koehler; copy edited by Emma Caplan

Review of the workshop Introduction to Applying Proofreading Markup to PDFs with Barbara Tomlin (offered by Editors BC on March 19, 2016)

Although Barbara Tomlin’s workshop on applying PDF markup was directed toward new editors like myself, there were quite a few more experienced editors and proofreaders who attended, showing that with new technologies (and upgrades to programs) come new ways to mark up text. Even the experienced editors had questions and followed along closely as Barbara told us all about the best practices of applying proofreading markup to PDFs.

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Event Review: The Art of the Query

Written by Susan Grant; copy edited by Emma Caplan

Review of the workshop The Art of the Query with Ruth Wilson (offered by Editors BC on March 19, 2016)

Ruth Wilson, who recently retired from teaching copy editing and substantive editing in SFU’s Editing Certificate program, was inspired to create her seminar, The Art of the Query, by the struggles of her students to query effectively. But as Ruth noted throughout her presentation, even more experienced editors can make beginners’ mistakes, to the detriment of their relationships with authors and publishers. Drawing on her own experiences and her observations of students’ struggles, Ruth developed this comprehensive seminar on the underrated and oft-neglected skill of the effective query.

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Event Review: Editing Fiction with Caroline Adderson

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Written by Lindsay Vermeulen; copy edited by Katie Heffring

Like a well-edited work of fiction, Caroline Adderson’s Editing Fiction workshop was entertaining, inspiring, and meticulously structured. Everything she covered was useful, and nothing crucial was left out.

Caroline has given the workshop a number of times due to popular demand, and she teaches a similar course at SFU for self-editing writers. She is also an award-winning author of novels, short story collections, and children’s books.

Caroline is down-to-earth and relatable as an instructor. She is not afraid to share the challenges and failures she has faced in her own work as examples. The six hours flew by, packed with useful, concrete tips for writers and editors.

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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.”

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Editors BC at Word Vancouver 2015

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by Roma Ilnyckyj

On September 27, Editors BC made our annual appearance at Word Vancouver, joining local literary organizations, publishers, writers, and other word lovers in a celebration of all things written.

Luckily it was sunny, although chilly, for our volunteers outside at the Editors BC booth. We handed out information about the organization and chatted to people about what editors do. Our booth was next to the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia, which provided a great opportunity to meet some people we’ve only ever communicated with through email and to strengthen our ties with like-minded organizations. I got some good ideas for promotional materials to think about for the future and picked up the adorable postcard pictured above (far right).

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Event Review: Writers on Editors: An Evening of Eavesdropping

Written by Amy Haagsma; copy edited by Meagan Kus

Recap of EAC-BC’s branch meeting on March 18, 2015.

On March 18, EAC-BC hosted authors Margo Bates and Daniel Francis for a panel discussion about working with editors. Jenny Lee, a writer, editor, and digital journalist with the Vancouver Sun, moderated, adding details of her own experience and encouraging questions from the audience.

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Event Review: Getting the Message Across: Clear Writing Tips with Frances Peck

Written by Amy Haagsma; copy edited by Karen Barry

Review of seminar Getting the Message Across: Clear Writing Tips with Frances Peck (offered by EAC-BC on March 19, 2015).

Frances Peck is a writer, Honorary Certified Professional Editor, and long-time EAC member and volunteer. She has taught at the University of Ottawa, Douglas College, SFU, and UBC; presented seminars for EAC branches across Canada; and delivered training for a number of government and private-sector organizations.

One of Frances’ specialties is editing and rewriting for clarity, making her the perfect choice to teach EAC-BC’s recent half-day seminar, Getting the Message Across: Clear Writing Tips. The seminar focused on techniques to improve clarity in workplace and public documents to better communicate the intended message.

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Event Review: Eight-Step Editing

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Written by Amy Haagsma; copy edited by Joanne King

Review of seminar Eight-Step Editing with Jim Taylor (offered by EAC-BC on February 21, 2015).

Jim Taylor has been a writer and editor since 1958. In 1971, he began teaching editing to business executives, using many of the concepts that would later become Eight-Step Editing. A casual mention of his process caught the attention of his EAC colleagues, and he was encouraged to develop it into a seminar. Jim confessed that, when first asked about the steps he used, he didn’t have a number in mind but surmised that it must be “about eight.”

In the spring of 1984, Jim officially rolled out Eight-Step Editing for EAC. Over the years, his seminar has achieved an almost-legendary status. Although Jim retired in 2007, he has graciously taught the seminar for EAC-BC a number of times since then.

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Event Review: Language Detectives: Part II

Written by Stephanie Warner; copy edited by Meagan Kus

Recap of EAC-BC’s branch meeting on February 18, 2015.

I’m a fan of British murder mysteries and police procedurals, so it was a thrill for me to attend a talk by Dr. Lorna Fadden, a real-life language detective. Dr. Fadden is an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, where she teaches introductory linguistics courses. She also researches in the following areas:

  • Canadian varieties of English and how language manifests online
  • discourse analysis (specifically, police interviews and internet luring)

Her website and SFU profile give detailed information on her research.

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Event Review: Building a Successful Editing Business

Written by Amy Haagsma; copy edited by Meagan Kus

Review of seminar Building a Successful Editing Business with Peter Moskos (offered by EAC-BC on January 24, 2015).

I was excited to see the topic for EAC-BC’s January seminar: Building a Successful Editing Business. The timing couldn’t be better—as a newish editor who is just venturing into freelancing, I really needed some advice in this area!

The seminar was led by Peter Moskos, a fixture within EAC and a member for 26 years. Now retired, he previously co-founded the highly successful Gordon Writing Group and was the company’s managing partner from 1995 to 2004.

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