design

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March 6-31, 2021: Document Readability Design and Layout for Editors

What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Between March 6 and 31, 2021, watch three pre-recorded 30-minute lectures and complete assignments; on Thursday, April 8, 2021, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, attend a live discussion and critique.
Where: Live session on April 8 is via Zoom
Cost: $90 for Editors Canada members ($70 early bird), $145 for non-members ($125 early bird), and $50 for student affiliates. Advance registration required. Registration closes March 8, 2021, at 11:59 pm; early-bird rates are in effect through February 8, 2021.

Understanding the fundamental rules of design not only enhances your editorial skills, it also makes you a more effective partner in the design process.

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Part of a calendar is shown with one pin lying on top of it, another pin stuck in the 26th of an unknown month, and a blue circle around the 24th.
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November 18, 2020: Effective Document Design

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What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 7:30–8:30 pm
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: Free for Editors BC members, non-members, and students.

Analyzing and editing documents for usability, clarity, and accessibility is an essential part of an editor’s job. Being familiar with Plain Language Principles and understanding graphic design principles that affect readability will enhance your editing skills.  

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Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
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January 12-February 2, 2021: Breaking into Instructional Design: A Course for Editors Seeking New Opportunities and Challenges

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What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Four Tuesdays, January 12, 19, 26, and February 2, 2021, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: $140 for Editors Canada members ($110 early bird), $195 for non-members ($165 early bird), and $70 for student affiliates. Advance registration required. Registration closes January 8, 2021, at 11:59 pm; early-bird rates are in effect through December 22, 2020.

In this interactive seminar, we’ll explore how editors can use their skills to move into the world of instructional design, a field that is growing rapidly as demand for online courses increases. Instructional designers focus on helping people learn effectively. They work with schools, universities, businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations to design and create a wide range of learning and training materials. An instructional designer may structure, write, or edit content for an online course; create a storyboard for a training module; create a job aid to help someone perform a specific task; and much, much more.

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Rows of desks face a projection screen in a classroom-like environment.
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March 24, 2018: Editorial Design Basics

What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, March 24, 2018, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Room 420, 4th 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 March 20; early-bird rates are in effect through March 6.

Good design is so much more than just placing words on a page—it uses subtle visual cues to reinforce and expand on the sense and meaning of writing. Do you wish you had a better understanding of how text, images, and space complement each other? Do you want to know what you, as an editor, can do to make the design process run more smoothly, for clients and colleagues alike?

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Some perils of self-publishing: Part 2

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by Ben Nuttall-Smith

Here is the second part of Ben’s perilous journey through the labyrinth of self-publishing, from design to promotion and everything in between. Your insight?

Blurbs

I asked some of the published authors I’d befriended over the years to read my manuscript. I’ve had fellow authors blurb (endorse) all my books and I will forever be indebted to every one of them. I have since endorsed other new writers. It’s all in the family and good promotion. My name appears on other book jackets and people might look for my books. Continue reading →