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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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Conference 2016: Putting Out the Welcome Mat

The Vancouver 2016 conference committee is hard at work planning the June 2016 national conference. Our goal? To welcome as many editors as possible from across Canada and the United States to the beautiful West Coast of British Columbia.

You can help! If you live in Vancouver or the surrounding Lower Mainland, consider opening your home to a guest. You’ll help trim travel costs for a colleague and make a new editing friend.

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Meet the Instructor: Ruth Wilson

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by Erin Parker

Ruth WilsonOn March 19, Editors BC will present Ruth Wilson and her half-day workshop The Art of the Query, which teaches participants how to set the tone for fruitful author–editor relationships through effective and efficient querying.

Ruth has more than 30 years’ experience as an editor. She worked for many years with Vancouver publisher Self-Counsel Press, and since 1998 she has offered a wide range of editorial and training services as a partner in West Coast Editorial Associates (one of her colleagues, Barbara Tomlin, will also be presenting a half-day seminar on March 19, Introduction to Applying Proofreading Markup to PDFs Using Adobe Acrobat Reader). Ruth is also a respected instructor at SFU, where she has taught many courses in editorial skills for more than 15 years.

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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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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.

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Editors Canada Mentoring Program Task Force

When you began as an editor, did you have great editors who showed you the ropes? Have you helped new editors with their editing and career questions? Mentoring can be a formal or informal relationship that helps newcomers to our profession hone their skills and make positive career moves. Building on a successful mentoring program in the Toronto branch and an inspiring session at last spring’s global conference, Editors Canada has struck a mentoring program task force to establish a national mentoring program. The task force is looking for seasoned editors who have taken formal or informal mentoring roles, as well as those with expertise in professional development and learning, to work toward this goal.

If you’re interested in joining the task force, please respond to the task force leader, Carolyn Brown, by January 4, 2016.

Meet the Instructor: Caroline Adderson

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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.

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Call for Presenters: An Evening of Show and Tell

Have you recently completed a project that you found particularly noteworthy or challenging?

Share your experience with fellow editors!

Editors BC is hosting An Evening of Show and Tell at our February 17, 2016, meeting, and we’re looking for people to participate. Contribute to an exciting conversation about the many aspects of working as an editor by sharing a little bit about one of your projects. Big or small, dull or quirky—we want to hear about it!

If you’re interested in participating, please contact bcprograms@editors.ca.