Meet the Instructor: Joy Gugeler

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Written by Carl Rosenberg; copy edited by Maggie Clark

This photo shows a headshot of Joy Gugeler.On Saturday, May 27, Editors BC will present Joy Gugeler, who will give a six-hour seminar on structurally editing literary fiction. In this seminar, participants will learn how to understand reader expectations, work with authors, and assess and structurally edit fiction.

Joy has more than 25 years’ experience as an acquiring and substantive editor, including acquiring and editing over 80 books for Beach Holme Publishing, Raincoast Books, and ECW Press. She has also worked as editor-in-chief for three online magazines and as an editorial board member for Arc Poetry, Quarry, Portal, and Room publications. Currently, she edits the Ralph Gustafson Distinguished Poet’s Lecture Series and up to 10 titles annually for her freelance firm, Chameleon Consulting.

Joy teaches editing in Ryerson University’s Certificate in Publishing program and SFU’s Master of Publishing program and summer publishing workshops, and at Vancouver Island University. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism and a master’s degree in Canadian studies from Carleton University, and is completing a PhD in communications at SFU.

Carl Rosenberg, a volunteer on Editors BC’s communications and social media committee, talked to Joy about her work and her advice on the intricacies of editing fiction.

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May 17, 2017: Season-End Wine and Cheese, Executive Elections, and Book Swap

What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, May 17, 2017, 7:00 pm (elections begin at 7:30 pm)
Where: Welch Room, 4th floor, YWCA Health + Fitness Centre, 535 Hornby Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, non-members, and student affiliates

Summer is coming! Join us in winding down the Editors BC 2016–17 season with a wine and cheese social. We’ll also be electing members of next year’s executive (see below for more information) and having a book swap! Bring along any books you’re finished with and exchange them for others at the book exchange table. Summer reading, here we come!

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Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
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May 27, 2017: Literary Architecture: Structurally Editing Fiction

What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, May 27, 2017, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Room 810, 8th floor, BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: $165 for Editors Canada members ($135 early bird), $230 for non-members ($200 early bird), and $100 for student affiliates. Advance registration required. Registration closes May 19; early-bird rates are in effect through May 5.

Sometimes we imagine fiction as arriving at the publisher in a near-perfect form, ready for publishing. In fact, fiction undergoes as rigorous an edit as non-fiction, and often is signed more for its potential than its readiness. Respecting the originality of the author’s voice and work, while still serving all parties with a sensitive critique, is a delicate balance.

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Meet the Instructor: Frances Peck

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Written by Carl Rosenberg; copy edited by Meagan Kus

On Saturday, April 22, Editors BC will present Frances Peck, who will give a full-day seminar called “The Secrets of Syntax.” In this seminar, participants will look at syntax from various angles and explore how to shape it for different kinds of texts, styles, and readers.

Frances is a Certified Professional Editor (Hon.) and writer who has worked with words for over 25 years. She prepared the Canadian edition of The St. Martin’s Workbook, a grammar exercise book; co-authored the popular HyperGrammar website; and wrote Peck’s English Pointers, a collection of articles and quizzes available on the Language Portal of Canada. A partner with West Coast Editorial Associates, Frances teaches at Douglas College and UBC and gives workshops across Canada. She is also a sometime blogger and a fiction writer.

Carl Rosenberg, a volunteer on Editors BC’s communications and social media committee, spoke to Frances about her work on language and syntax.

 

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April 19, 2017: Revitalizing Indigenous languages

What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2017, 7:00 pm (program begins at 7:30 pm)
Where: Welch Room, 4th floor, YWCA Health + Fitness Centre, 535 Hornby Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: Free for Editors Canada members and student affiliates, $10 for non-members, and $5 for non-member students with valid ID. Registration at the door.

Our April meeting promises to be a fascinating one as Nicki Benson of Kwi Awt Stelmexw presents an overview of Indigenous languages of British Columbia, current language revitalization initiatives and challenges, and the work of Kwi Awt Stelmexw regarding language education and place name reclamation.

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Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
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April 22, 2017: The Secrets of Syntax

What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, April 22, 2017, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Room 810, 8th floor, BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: $165 for Editors Canada members ($135 early bird), $230 for non-members ($200 early bird), and $100 for student affiliates. Advance registration required. Registration closes April 14; early-bird rates are in effect through March 31.

We’ve all flipped a sentence around, or dismantled it and then recombined it, only to discover better clarity, emphasis, rhythm, or flow. Why does that happen, and how can we become more adept at manipulating word order—or syntax—to improve prose? This seminar looks at syntax from various angles, including how to shape it for different documents, styles, and readers.

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Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
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March 25, 2017: How to Be the Laziest Editor Possible: Maximizing the Tools in Microsoft Word

What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, March 25, 2017, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (PC) and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Mac)
Where: Room 830, 8th floor, BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour 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 March 17; early-bird rates are in effect through March 8.

On Saturday, March 25, Editors British Columbia presents two offerings of the half-day seminar “How to Be the Laziest Editor Possible: Maximizing the Tools in Microsoft Word.” The morning session (10 am to 1 pm) is for PC users and the afternoon session (2 pm to 5 pm) is for Mac users.

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March 15, 2017: Trends in Book Publishing

What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 7:00 pm (program begins at 7:30 pm)
Where: Welch Room, 4th floor, YWCA Health + Fitness Centre, 535 Hornby Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: Free for Editors Canada members and student affiliates, $10 for non-members, and $5 for non-member students with valid ID. Registration at the door.

It has been almost four years since Editors BC hosted a panel discussion about the latest developments in book publishing. Since then, self-publishing, digital publishing, and other forces have continued to reshape this publishing sector. At our March meeting, industry expert Trena White will offer insights into the latest trends in book publishing and the prospects for making a living in this field.

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