Editor’s Year in Review
An Editor’s Year in Review An Editor’s Year in Review? Already? That’s right! It is somehow time for an editor’s year in review. This has not been the easiest year, in terms of life events for many of us, but somehow we continued moving forward. In terms of editing, at times, it has often been a […]
2SLGBTQIA+ Terminology: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing
2SLGBTQIA+ Terminology: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing In this installment of the series, “Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing,” I continue on the topic of inclusive language with a look at 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology. Last week, I provided you with a list of best practices for “Disability-Affirming Language.” This week, I will be […]
Disability Language: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing
Disability Language: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing This week, I continue with my series, “Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing.” Some of you may recognize this an expansion of my previous blog, “Inclusive Language Tips: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing.” In particular, this blog will provide best practices for disability-affirming language. […]
How To Choose an Editor
How to Choose an Editor Hiring an editor who you have not previously worked with can be a daunting task. Various factors come into play, including skillset, reputation, cost, and compatibility. However, I can assure you that choose the perfect editor for your particular project can actually be an enjoyable process. In particular, posing a […]
Sensitivity Reading Rates
Sensitivity Reading Rates Sensitivity reading, along with questions about sensitivity rates, have become increasingly popular in the writing, editing, and publishing industries. Additionally known as authenticity reading, sensitivity reading can be defined as the process of as hiring a reader from a certain identity, lived experience, or cultural background to read your document or manuscript […]
Accessibility Tips: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing
Accessibility Tips: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing Continuing with last week’s blogs on “Plain Language Tips” and “Inclusive Language Tips,” the third part of this several-part series on avoiding harm in our writing and editing focuses on accessibility tips. In particular, this blog will focus on accessibility best practices, tips, and tricks when […]
Plain Language Tips: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing
Plain Language Tips: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing Building upon last week’s blog on “Inclusive Language Tips,” the second-part of this five-part series on avoiding harm in our writing and editing focuses on plain language tips. In particular, this blog will focus on tips, tricks, and best practices in Plain Language. Plain language […]
A Murder of Crows and A Shiver of Sharks: An Ode to the Collective Noun
A Murder of Crows and A Shiver of Sharks: An Ode to the Collective Noun A murder of crows and a shiver of sharks. Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s dive in. As editors, we often have our favourite editing niches, styles, and interests. In this five-part series, I focus on some of my […]
Inclusive Language Tips: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing
Inclusive Language Tips: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing Inclusive language is a currently a timely and much-discussed topic, but its definitions are varied. In this several-part series focusing on avoiding harm in our writing and editing, I focus on defining inclusive language and offering some tips, tricks, and best practices. Before we proceed, […]
Editing News: February Round Up
Editing News: February Round Up It’s time for some editing news! I recently wrote about “Best Books for Editors: January Round Up.” This month, I continue with this theme, as well as sharing some professional news. (I can’t believe how busy this month has been!) Latest Editing Reads In terms of editing reads, I’ve […]
Confessions of a Self-Proclaimed Bookworm
Confessions of a Self-Proclaimed Bookworm The following are confessions of a self-proclaimed bookworm. When asked how I became an editor, I always simply say that my journey has been long and winding. However, this is an oversimplification of a much more interesting—but admittedly, complex—story. As a lifelong introverted—self-proclaimed—bookworm, I have always carried a book (or […]
Work-Life Balance
Work-Life Balance At times, maintaining a work-life balance as a freelance editor can be a difficult task. As with any freelance job, there will be busy periods and there will be slow periods. In particular, it can be difficult to maintain a sustainable work-life balance during these busy times. I have been working as a […]
Best Books for Editors: January Round Up
Best Books for Editors: January Round Up I recently wrote about my nine best books for editors in “Editorial Style Guides, Manuals, and Dictionaries for Beginner Editors.” Editing Classics Although this particular article was specifically aimed at beginner editors, these remain my “go-tos” years later. While admittedly, a great deal of notable editing-related books […]
Avoiding Harm in Our Editing and Writing
Avoiding Harm in Our Editing and Writing Avoiding harm in our editing and writing seems like a simple statement. As copy editors, avoiding introducing errors into the documents that we are working on, is something that we take very seriously. However, in recent years, the concept of inclusive language, or conscious language, has been increasingly […]
The Problem with Italicizing Non-English Words: Avoiding Harm in Our Writing and Editing
The Problem with Italicizing Non-English Words What exactly is the problem with italicizing non-English words? Currently, debate is ongoing about italicizing non-English words in the writing, editing, and publishing industries. In particular, in the English-language publishing industries, a great deal of conversation is occurring about whether to italicize words or phrases that may not be […]
Tips for Improving Your Writing
Tips for Improving Your Writing Many writing and editing blogs offer various tips for improving your writing skills. Many also offer advice and best practices for editing your own work. As an editor, I agree that self-editing is an important part of the writing process. It helps hone your writing skills, refines your ideas, and […]
How to Become an Editor
How to Become an Editor How to become an editor is quite a popular question. Although there are various steps that one can take to become an editor, I have found that everyone’s journey is different. My personal journey to becoming an editor was a long and meandering one. As voracious bookworm my entire life, […]
Singular “They:” Avoiding Harm in Our Editing and Writing
The Singular “They” The singular “they” refers to the use of the third-person plural pronoun when mentioning a sole individual. Over the past few years, the use of “they” as a singular pronoun has become increasingly popular in the editing and writing world. In particular, many writers and editors, such as myself, who follow Inclusive […]
Using the Semi Colon
Using the Semi Colon Using the semi colon correctly can be a bit tricky! There are quite a few rules to follow. Defining the Semi Colon Before we begin, it may be helpful to define the semi colon. This punctuation mark is often used to signify a pause between two independent clauses. (An independent clause can […]