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Can You Find Inner Peace During a Pandemic?

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Written by Marta Orellana; copy edited by Meagan Kus

Editors find comfort in the stable predictability of grammatical rules, of univocal styles and definitions—with some exceptions to keep us on our toes. We turn to these to balance the everyday chaos in the world beyond the word. But what happens when the thread in the fabric of our daily lives is so forcefully yanked that our safety blankets are completely torn at their seams? Is our respite in linguistic structures enough to offset the surrealness of a world dizzied by a viral outbreak?

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Introducing the Editors BC 2020–2021 Executive

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During our online chapter meeting on June 17, Editors BC held elections to fill positions becoming vacant on the executive.

Before we list the new executive, we’d like to thank outgoing executive members Alexandra Bogdanovic (programs), Maggie Clark (publications and West Coast Editor managing editor), Marianne Grier (past chair), Ellen Michelle (professional development), and Tiffany Sloan (treasurer) for their dedication to serving all Editors BC members.

We are also extending a warm welcome to new executive members Katie Beaton (publications and West Coast Editor managing editor), Tania Cheffins (treasurer), Joyce Chung (programs), Letitia Henville (professional development), and Marta Orellana (programs). These new executive members will take over from their outgoing counterparts on July 1.

In addition, Barbara Johnston is moving from volunteer coordinator to professional development, Jesse Marchand from branch chair to past chair, and Liz Warwick from communications to branch chair. Continue reading →

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June 17, 2020: Season-End Editors BC Executive Elections

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What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 7:00–8:00 pm
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: Free for Editors BC members and students.

Join us in winding down the Editors BC 2019–2020 season with an online meeting to recognize our volunteers and to elect the 2020–2021 executive team. This is usually our wine and cheese event, so bring a beverage of your choice and get to know our incoming exec! 

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May 20, 2020: Editing in the Age of COVID-19

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What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 7:30–9:00 pm
Where: Online through LiveWebinar
Cost: Free for Editors BC members, non-members, and students.

Join Editors BC for an online social, where we will discuss a variety of topics and issues related to editing during this unprecedented time. The meeting will be moderated and led by members of the Editors BC executive and will offer a chance for members to share their experiences and ask questions on topics such as:

  • Has your editing practice and the way you work been affected by COVID-19?  
  • Do you have children or other dependents at home? How do you manage your editing work/business while also supervising your children and their schooling?
  • What are people’s long-term plans for editing in the time of coronavirus? How do we prepare for these upheavals, both economically and emotionally?
  • Do any of the government relief programs apply to editors?
  • What are we doing for fun these days?

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A red outline from a stamp reads "Cancelled."

Meet the Instructor: Lisa Manfield

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Written by Carl Rosenberg; copy edited by Meagan Kus

Lisa Manfield

On Saturday, March 28, Editors BC will present a full-day seminar by Lisa Manfield on how to write effective web content.

This seminar will give you an understanding of what readers want from your copy, how to apply the latest web writing best practices, and how to optimize for search. 

Lisa is a writer, editor, and content strategist with 20 years’ experience creating print and web content that engages a variety of target audiences. Currently the senior editor at Forge and Spark Media, Lisa has also been the founding editor of BCLiving and marketing manager at The Tyee. She has developed print and web content, marketing collateral, and courseware for tech companies, small businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions. She also teaches web writing principles at SFU and Capilano University.

Carl Rosenberg, a volunteer on Editors BC’s communications and social media committee, spoke to Lisa about her work and forthcoming presentation.   

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March 18, 2020: Editing Children’s Books

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What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 7:00–9:00 pm
Where: Room 920, 9th floor, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: Free for Editors BC members, non-members, and students.

Join us at our upcoming monthly meeting for a presentation by Paula Ayer and Tiffany Stone on editing children’s books, including levels from picture books to young adult, and genres from sing-along books to graphic novels and series.

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March 28, 2020: Writing Effective Web Content

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What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, March 28, 2020, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Room 400, 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 25; early-bird rates are in effect through March 10.

Capture reader attention and engagement with web content that attracts visitors, boosts click-throughs, and converts readers into customers. Crafting compelling web content requires an understanding of reader expectations, an application of best practices, and a commitment to experimentation. This seminar will give you an understanding of what readers want from your copy, how to apply the latest web-writing best practices, and how to optimize for search.

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A minimalist map of BC shows that 62% of Editors BC members live in the Lower Mainland, 20% live in Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, 11% live in the Okanagan and the Kootenays, 3% live in the Sunshine Coast, 2.5% live in Northern BC and Yukon, and .8% live in the West Coast of the U.S.
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Getting to Know Our Members from All Around BC: Marianne Sprague

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Written by Liz Warwick; copy edited by Annette Gingrich

Marianne Sprague

Editors BC is a big chapter: in fact, we currently have 246 members.

In this series, Social Media Executive Liz Warwick interviews some of these members to find out what editing life looks like in this spacious province.

Today, she interviews Marianne Sprague.

Marianne resides on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh (Prince George, BC). She has been an Editors BC member since 2017.

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Meet the Instructor: Frances Peck

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Written by Carl Rosenberg; copy edited by Katie Beaton

Frances Peck

On Saturday, February 29, Editors BC will present a full-day seminar by Frances Peck on usage woes and myths. For anyone intent on preventing (not avoiding) word errors and avoiding (not preventing) usage myths, this seminar will be of great help. People attending will get an up-to-date look at some of the most misunderstood and contentious points of English usage, and identify helpful guides and other resources. 

Frances Peck is a Certified Professional Editor (Hon.) and writer who has worked with words for nearly 30 years. She has taught at the University of Ottawa, Douglas College, SFU, UBC, and dozens of organizations across Canada. She prepared the Canadian edition of The St. Martin’s Workbook, a university 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. Frances lives in North Vancouver and is a partner with West Coast Editorial Associates.

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

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