Written by Peter Moskos; copy edited by Katie Beaton
I first met David Harrison when we both sang in a summer choir composed of singers who could not get through June, July, and August without a singing fix. David and I recognized each other as old fellows, so we sat together, joining our rusty baritones for pieces by Mozart, Brahms, and Verdi.
by Lucy Kenward
During the monthly meeting of November, Editors BC was happy to honour Nancy Flight and other long-time members, Peter Colenbrander, Ann-Marie Metten, Peter Moskos, and Ruth Wilson, for their significant contributions to the association. To start off the meeting, Lucy Kenward gave the following tribute speech to Nancy Flight.
What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 7:00–9:00 pm
Where: Welch Room, 4th floor, YWCA Health + Fitness Centre, 535 Hornby Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: Free for Editors Canada members and student affiliates, $10 for non-members, and $5 for non-member students with valid ID. Registration at the door.
This evening we will honour longtime Editors BC member and editor extraordinaire Nancy Flight, who retired from her full-time role as associate publisher of Greystone Books on October 16, 2017—forty-five years to the day after she started her first job in book publishing in San Francisco.
Throughout her career as a highly respected and award-winning editor, Nancy made significant contributions to the editing profession and to our national association and local branch. We’re delighted she will be with us on November 15 so we can thank her in person.
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by Connie Behl
Editors 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.
Written by Amy Haagsma; copy edited by Meagan Kus
Review of seminar Building a Successful Editing Business with Peter Moskos (offered by EAC-BC on January 24, 2015).
I was excited to see the topic for EAC-BC’s January seminar: Building a Successful Editing Business. The timing couldn’t be better—as a newish editor who is just venturing into freelancing, I really needed some advice in this area!
The seminar was led by Peter Moskos, a fixture within EAC and a member for 26 years. Now retired, he previously co-founded the highly successful Gordon Writing Group and was the company’s managing partner from 1995 to 2004.
What: EAC-BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, January 24, 2015, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel, 1133 W Hastings Street | map
For many editors, working as an individual freelancer or in-house editor is just the ticket. For others, the idea of growing an editing business holds strong appeal. Using a series of discussion scenarios, we’ll start the workshop by looking at how you run and handle work overload in a single-person business. We’ll then explore possible expansions from a simple partnership to an incorporated company with employees. As part of our journey, we’ll stop to learn how to estimate costs for an editing project and how to prepare a proposal for editing work. These are abilities every freelance editor needs. We’ll also consider what’s wrong when you are doing more work but taking home less money. Whatever your business goal, you’ll find strategies for making your editing business succeed and molding it to a lifestyle that suits you.
Written by Alexandra Bogdanovic; copy edited by Tanya Procyshyn
On Sunday, September 28, EAC-BC participated in Word Vancouver, a free reading and writing festival. It is also part of Cultural Days, a national celebration of the arts. The festival began on Wednesday, September 24, and was held over the course of five days. Events took place at several venues, including The Paper Hound, Banyen Books & Sound, The Cottage Bistro, Christianne’s Lyceum, Historic Joy Kogawa House, and SFU Harbour Centre. The main event was held on Sunday, September 28, at the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch.
by Peter Moskos
At some point, we’ve all thought, “I must write down my parents’ stories so they are recorded for future generations.”
I have done just this.
West Coast Editor 