Editor for Life: Patricia MacDonald, Editor

A career as an editor is often a solo adventure, especially if you’re a freelancer. So, we thought one way to better connect with fellow editors was to ask them to submit their responses to a set of questions based on the Five Ws: who, what, where, when, and why. Read on for some thought-provoking, enlightening tidbits from those of us who choose to work with words to earn our keep.

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Please tell us a little about yourself, the kind of work you do (and where you live), and how long you’ve been an editor.

I’m a freelance copy editor and proofreader who’s been working in the field for almost 25 years. My degree in kinesiology helped get me added to the freelance roster for Human Kinetics (HK) Publishers when I was just starting out and building my résumé. I still work for HK and have added several Canadian publishers, along with the occasional independent client (thank you, Online Directory of Editors!). I’m a huge sports fan – I’ve always said I’d watch paint dry if it were an Olympic sport – and have developed a bit of a niche for myself in sports editing, but I also edit memoirs, non-fiction, and fiction.

I live on beautiful Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and my household has more animals (two dogs and two cats) than people (three). In my spare time, I love to read fiction and to volunteer at local theatres as an usher. And I’ve put in many hours volunteering for Editors Canada, including six years on the national executive council as director of volunteer relations. I’m excited to be on the planning committee for the 2026 Editors Canada conference in Halifax (conference number five that I’ve worked on). Come to Halifax and say hello!

Who: If you could edit one famous author, living or dead, who would it be?

Oh gosh. That’s a tough one. I think it would have to be Lucy Maud Montgomery. (Full disclosure: Gilbert Blythe was my first crush. I’m not over it yet.) I’ve read all of Montgomery’s books, so I’m very familiar with her work and her style, and I have her short story collections saved on my phone. They’re perfect for reading in a waiting room! As for editing, there’s a scene near the end of Rilla of Ingleside that I’d strongly suggest be revised, because I cannot bear to read it. And no, I’m not giving any details. If you know, you know.

What: What is the one thing that has helped you the most in your career as an editor?

Being a member of Editors Canada, without question. I got my initial training through Editors Canada, along with wonderful advice from some very kind people who were willing to help out a newbie just breaking into the field. The old email Listserv was a fount of knowledge and one of the most valuable benefits of my membership in my early days. I’ve also made a lot of professional connections and cherished friendships through my volunteer work with the organization.

Where: If you could work anywhere in the world as an editor, where would that be?

Being freelance certainly has its benefits, and not being tied down to a particular location is one of them. I’ve travelled to Scotland, the home of most of my ancestors, twice now. I would love to set up shop there for an extended length of time so I can work a little and explore a lot. I’d also like to venture down to Wales, where my grandfather Morris left as a young man to come to Canada. On the whole, though, I’m quite happy in my own little corner of the world. But of course it would make sense for me to live on Prince Edward Island while I’m editing L.M. Montgomery. That works for me!

When: Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously questioned your career choice?

Never. I love the freedom of freelancing, and I’ve had the opportunity to work on some wonderful books and with some fantastic people. Although I’ll admit to tearing my hair out now and again while going back and forth over a tricky grammatical point that few readers will likely even care about. Have you ever seen the meme that says “70% of editing is staring at your work for hours while making this face”? Sometimes I identify with that! I think all editors do at one time or another.

Why: Why did you choose to become an editor? Or, should we ask: Why did editing choose you?

I kind of fell into editing, to be honest. It wasn’t on my radar when I was in university, when my admittedly lofty goal was to be the first female trainer in the NHL. But editing was suggested to me by several people who thought it would be a good career fit. And it was! I enjoy so many of the projects I work on, and the positive feedback I get from authors and managing editors tells me I made the right choice.

And, of course, we just had to ask the inevitable how: How would you sum up your motto?

I’m not sure it’s a motto, but one thing I’ve learned as an editor is to never be afraid to ask for something you want. I’ve gotten several jobs by contacting publishing companies and asking about a specific upcoming book that I dearly wanted to work on, or asking to be considered if a book about a certain topic was ever coming down the line. It doesn’t always work, but I’ve had more hits than misses. Dare to be bold! There. I’ve turned it into a motto. 🙂

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This article was copy edited by Andi Benjamin, a legal editor and writer based in Toronto. She is the owner of AB Edits.