PubPro 2014: The highlights

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On May 24, 2014, managing editors and publication production professions from BC and Alberta converged at Harbour Centre for the second annual PubPro 2014 unconference, co-hosted by EAC-BC and Publishing at Simon Fraser University. This unstructured event allows attendees to come with presentations and discussion topics and has proven to be an excellent forum for experienced pros to learn from one another. From that pool of ideas, we finalized the day’s agenda at the first session of the morning.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posted highlights from the event thanks to volunteers Megan Brand, Lara Kordic and Lana Okerlund, who kindly took notes in the sessions and reported back on what they learned.

Here’s the first of many summaries:

Indexes in Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud
by Lara Kordic; presented by Judy Dunlop

This session focused on the use of the indexing feature in the recently launched Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud (CC) and included a wider discussion on indexing concerns and workflow issues. Judy Dunlop began the session by asking participants to identify indexing problems they have encountered in the past; she then went through the basic capabilities of InDesign CC and how its indexing feature could be incorporated into the digital workflow. Some index concerns mentioned include the challenge of assessing the quality of an index or potential indexer, tight schedules, and the difficulty of estimating the length of an index before it is created. Although these issues cannot be directly remedied by using InDesign CC, there are certain aspects of the indexing process that can be improved through the use of CC.

As in previous versions of InDesign, CC can generate an index using tags inserted into the electronic file. Unlike previous versions, CC allows indexes to be linked in multiple digital formats, such as PDF, EPUB and HTML. In some ways, indexing with CC requires indexers and publishers to work together more closely than before because the indexer is working directly in the live (InDesign) file, as opposed to a PDF, and may be involved in the proofreading and revising of the index. In addition to being proficient in InDesign and familiar with Creative Cloud, the indexer must be working in the same version of InDesign as the designer because they are working in the same file. The indexer may still use dedicated indexing software (Cindex, Macrex, Sky etc.), which is recommended for more complex indexes, but it is also possible to create the index directly in InDesign, with the indexer editing and revising the index while embedding markers into the document. Overall, the indexing feature in CC is considered to be a step up from previous versions of InDesign. With some training and closer coordination between publisher and indexer, this could become a viable option for many indexing projects.

Image by Megan Brand.

Hello WCE readers and subscribers,

A big thank you to all the volunteers, proofreaders, authors, publishers, instructors and readers who have made the rekindling of WCE possible. A heads up, WCE will be taking a temporary break over the summer months but will be back with great pieces, events and reviews come September.

If you have anything you wish to promote now until then, please send my way (see contact page) and I’ll do my best to share it with our audience. Otherwise, have a splendid summer and read more come fall.

Best,

WCE editor & volunteers

June 9: Something Fierce fundraiser

What: Fundraiser for Carmen Aguirre, author of Something Fierce: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter
When: 730-10PM, June 9, 2014
Where: 3102 Main Street at Heritage Hall, Vancouver
Cost: $20-500, or  make a donation

Carmen Aguirre, author of the national bestseller Something Fierce: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter, which won CBC’s Canada Reads in 2012, was owed $60,000 in royalties when D&M Publishers when bankrupt later that year. She never received any of that money. Carmen makes her living as a writer and an independent theatre artist. Whatever is raised through this campaign will go directly to her.

You can attend in person or donate online. Online donors will be thanked by name during the evening’s program. The live event portion of the night features readings and performances by Carmen other guest artists.

Event review: International editing

by Amy Haagsma

Review of panel discussion on international editing at the EAC-BC branch meeting on April 16, 2014.

One very appealing aspect of a career in editing is its flexibility. Work can be done from almost anywhere and planned around a variety of schedules. After attending EAC-BC’s April meeting on international editing, I realized that another benefit is how vast your potential client base can be. Even if you have a niche specialty, a global market makes it easier to find clients who need your services.

Continue reading →

May 24: Editing workshop

What: Editing Workshop…for Writers Too with Cheryl Cohen
When: 10AM-4PM, May 24, 2014
Where: C114, David F. Strong Building, UVic campus, Victoria
Cost:  $85 (EAC members), $95 (non-members) until May 15; $100 (EAC members) or $110 (non-members) after May 15. To register.

Cheryl Cohen has been a freelance book editor since 1997, when she left a 20-year journalism career. In this, her, 11th workshop, she plans to cover: what makes a good editor, general principles of editing, the particulars (substantive editing, copy editing and proofreading), the editor-writer relationship, tools and resources, how to become a professional editor, and why the future of editing books is bright.

Branch meeting: May 21, 2014

What: EAC-BC May Meeting & News
When: 1900-2100, Wednesday May 21, 2014
Where: 535 Hornby Street, 4th floor, YWCA, Vancouver
Cost: Free for everyone

Come take part in our last monthly meeting until September. We’re celebrating with wine and cheese and great company! At 1930, put in your vote for the 2014-2015 BC branch executive election. (Note: No pre-meeting pub night this month. Pub nights will resume in the fall.)

Pubs in Pubs: May 6, 2014

Ben Tour - Secrets Travel

The Magazine Association of BC invites you to London Public House (700 Main Street) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 for a special mixer of publishing professionals and the province’s brightest young talent. This networking event is focused on bringing the magazine industry together to connect with one and other as well as providing the opportunity for publishing students and professionals to interact in an open and relaxed atmosphere.

Includes special guest illustrator/artist Ben Tour.